As if sensing something, Mona looked up and met my gaze from across the square.
Our eyes connected.
In her expression, I saw panic and guilt... and something else. Fear.
Yes—fear.
What was she afraid of? That I would take Greg away?
When Mona came home that evening, dinner was already waiting. She shrank back, cautious, as if she'd done something wrong.
"I don't want you seeing Greg anymore," I told her bluntly.
"Why not?" Her face changed.
"No reason. I just don't allow it."
"Melody, you're jealous of me!" she snapped.
This was the first time she'd spoken to me so harshly.
To be honest, it startled me.
"He was mine in the first place!" I blurted out.
"But he likes me now!" Mona glared at me, tears glistening in her eyes. "Melody, I'm sorry... I've fallen in love with him..."
I shrieked and started hurling everything within reach at her... Finally, I said, "Mona, this has to end."
I locked her up and took the key away.
18
Actually, I shouldn't have been angry with Mona.
As a clone, everything she had came from me. Ultimately, it wasn't that she had fallen in love with Greg—it was that I had never let go. So when Greg came looking for me, I immediately got back together with him...
I was like a thief, shamelessly stealing the fruits of Mona's labor.
Mona was heartbroken.
And I was ashamed.
We stopped talking, stopped sharing a bed. Even accidental eye contact made us both uncomfortable...
I even started regretting the whole thing. Why had I created such a problem for myself?
But it was too late for regrets.
19
Late one night, I was jolted awake to find myself bound hand and foot and dumped into a bathtub filled with cold water... the very bathtub that had once belonged to Mona!
Mona stood beside the tub, gazing down at me with sorrow. She said, "Melody, why do you get to enjoy a colorful life, while I can only hide in the shadows, being your shadow forever?
"Why can you be with the man you love, and I can't?
"Melody, it's not fair!"
I shook my head. "Mona, you're just a clone!"
"Clones are people too! We have our own feelings! I really, truly love Greg!" Tears spilled from Mona's eyes. "Melody, please—let me have this!"
"Let you have it? How?"
Mona didn't answer. She just absently fingered the silk scarf around her neck.
That scarf was beautiful. Heart-stoppingly beautiful.
Red—a color that had always represented desire and ambition...
20
"Don't be afraid. It'll be over quickly."
Mona removed the scarf and gently wrapped it around my neck.
How ironic—that scarf was a gift from me.
I struggled free of my bonds and tried to escape, but she grabbed me by the hair and slammed me to the floor...
What followed was a fight for our lives.
Never in my life had I experienced anything so terrifying...
It was kill or be killed!
Amid the blood and fury, a knock came at the door—
"Melody, open up!"
21
"Greg, you're here! Oh, what beautiful flowers—are they for me?"
"Not just flowers—there's also this."
"Wow, a ring!"
"Melody, marry me. I swear I'll make you the happiest woman in the world."
"I will—I absolutely will!"
The two kissed passionately, while in the next room lay a corpse.
One in heaven, one in hell.
(End of Story 13)
*
"So who died? Melody or Mona?" Cindy asked curiously.
"That's obvious—it was Melody," Luke said. "Mona took her place and married Greg!"
"If that's the case, then Melody really is pitiful!"
"This story—I think I've read it before," Stan said. "If I'm not mistaken, the author is 'Dumpling,' right?"
"Yes, that's right," I nodded.
"Ha, I'm a huge fan of his! He's written a lot of stories like this, and I love them all," Stan said enthusiastically. "This author is quite mysterious—never shows his face on any platform. I've been following him for two years and still don't know if he's male or female."
"Yeah, he's very low-key." Saying this, I glanced at the Boss. "Boss, have you heard of this author?"
"I browse online when business is slow, but I've never come across this writer. Probably not that famous," the Boss said, shaking his head. "Dumpling? With a name like that, he can't be going anywhere."
"That's not true—he's very well known! On his main site alone, millions of fans wait for his updates every day. And many of his stories are already being adapted for screen," Stan protested.
"Is that so? Then I really am out of the loop. When I have time, I'll be sure to check out his work." The Boss smiled. "Alright, everyone's shared their stories. Thank you all for participating—you've made this an interesting evening. According to the rules of our game, it's now time for the judging phase..."
"Hold on," I interrupted. "Boss, I think you're forgetting someone."
"Oh? Who?"
"You," I said. "As the person who proposed this game, shouldn't you set an example?"
"I have to tell a story too?"
"If your story moves us, we can treat you to dumplings."
"What, treat me to dumplings?" The Boss laughed. "Alright then, I'll tell one! Let's see if my story is worth a plate of dumplings."
He took a sip of water and thought for a moment. "The story I'm about to tell is something I experienced personally. I hope it gives you all something to reflect on...
"Before I begin, I'd like to ask everyone a question.
"Are you satisfied with your life? What kind of life do you wish you had? If you had the chance, would you be willing to swap lives with someone else..."