Chapter 6 - THE MONTHS BEFORE THE LAKE
Juny’s school nurse records showed recurring stomach pain, dizziness, and fatigue.
Each episode followed a visit with Eleanor.
I had blamed stress.
Juny had hidden details because Grandma told her not to worry me.
The medication was an immune suppressant.
Low dose.
Not enough to cause immediate illness.
Enough to alter bloodwork and make Juny appear more compatible for donation by reducing certain immune markers.
They were preparing her body.
Davina claimed she did not know.
Emails showed Dr. Vale sending her compatibility updates.
She read every one.
Then Rachel—me—became the target of a smear campaign.
Family group messages leaked online.
The peaceful vacation photo spread with captions accusing me of withholding life-saving help from my sister.
Strangers called me selfish.
The hospital protected Juny’s privacy.
I refused to release her records publicly.
Sofia relied on court evidence instead.
The judge viewed the clinic footage, forged consent, sedative toxicology, and travel plan.
Emergency custody protections remained.
Then Laura, the cousin who impersonated me, disappeared.
Her car was found near the lake.
Inside was my red scarf.
A note read:
RACHEL MADE ME DO IT.
Someone intended to make me responsible for a witness’s disappearance.
Police searched the cottage.
In the basement, they found Laura alive.
Locked inside.
She said a woman with Eleanor’s face brought her there.
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My mother did not have a twin.
Or so we believed.
