My Stepsister's Dark Gift

From the back cover

I was Olivia Miller, the quiet, studious pre-med student from a prominent family.

My stepsister, Izzy, was the dazzling socialite, everyone' s favorite, effortlessly getting what she wanted.

Then, the unexplained began. Dark bruises marred my skin, then alarming hickeys appeared on my neck, though I hadn' t been with anyone.

My family's judgment quickly fell, and Izzy, with sugary sweetness, presented me with an antique silver locket-a "family heirloom for protection."

New marks appeared the very next day.

The humiliation peaked at a prestigious university conference.

Mid-speech, I collapsed at the podium, bleeding inexplicably, as gasps rippled through the auditorium.

Doctors found no cause, yet whispers of a "wild lifestyle" and "secret abortion" turned me from star student into campus scandal.

My fiancé, Ethan, suggested our engagement be "transferred" to Izzy, citing my "embarrassing behavior." My appearance-obsessed parents believed every lie.

How could these things happen?

Why did Izzy always look so perfect, radiating health, while my body and reputation disintegrated under the weight of these bizarre, unexplainable marks?

The injustice and confusion were unbearable, trapping me.

But then, the world reset.

I was back at the podium, exact same moment, the same horrific pain beginning.

As my vision blurred, I saw Izzy' s face in the crowd: a sliver of dark satisfaction beneath her practiced concern.

This time, I wouldn't just collapse. I understood the curse. Izzy had just handed me the weapon to turn it back on her.