Stella thought to herself after hearing the request, "I knew it, no one in the world does something for nothing."
Emma, noticing her silence, leaned in gently and asked, "So, what do you think about it?"
Feeling cornered, with no other option in sight, Stella nodded slowly, "I agree."
Emma's face lit up with joy, "That's great! I'm really glad you accepted."
Stella, trying to stay composed, asked quietly, "When exactly am I going?"
"In a week. The trip will be by sea, and you'll reach the destination in about two days."
"Where exactly is this trip taking me?"
Emma smiled, as if amused by Stella's reaction.
"To the northern continent, you've heard of the nature reserve there, right?"
Stella's eyes widened slightly.
"You mean that place? The restricted one?"
Emma chuckled lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yes, but don't worry. You love nature and science just like I do. I'm sure you'll find it fascinating. These opportunities don't come around often, Stella."
Although excitement stirred somewhere inside her, Stella kept a straight face, unwilling to reveal anything.
Emma added more sincerely this time,
"I want you to know, if my mother weren't ill, I would have gone myself. But even if I couldn't go, I still would have helped you."
Stella narrowed her eyes slightly.
"How kind of you," she thought bitterly. "If I were naive, I might've believed you. But let's not forget, you practically trapped me yesterday."
She didn't voice her thoughts. What good would it do? She had already accepted.
When Stella returned to the hospital, her mother greeted her with a worried frown.
"Stella! Where have you been? You left Jean alone here!"
"Mom, wait, I found a solution… a way to pay for Dad's surgery."
Her mother's face shifted from anger to confusion.
"What? How?"
Stella hesitated, then decided to tell her everything. The meeting with Emma, the lookalike coincidence, the offer, the plan to take her place, and the trip.
Her mother's expression darkened with disbelief.
"What kind of trip is this? What studies? With strangers? Are you out of your mind, Stella?"
Stella placed her hand gently over her mother's.
"Mom, please… I know how it sounds. But it's just an exploration trip in a protected reserve. Emma said it's safe, and short term. What matters most now is Dad."
"But, Stella..."
"I promise I'll come back. And when I do, Dad will be well again. Maybe... maybe I'll even have a future waiting for me."
Her voice trembled on the last sentence. This wasn't just about her father anymore. It was a fragment of a dream she had carried since childhood, to explore distant lands, to make discoveries, to matter.
Her mother remained quiet, worry etched across her features.
Two days later, Emma called Stella and asked to meet at the same café.
That afternoon, Emma spoke at length.
She shared everything Stella might need to imitate her convincingly, her favorite foods, routines, family background, colleagues she would meet, and even inside jokes only someone close to her might know.
Stella listened carefully, jotting mental notes. They discussed the minor differences between them, the darker eyes, the slight voice difference, and settled on simple fixes.
"Just say you're wearing lenses, if anyone asks," Emma said.
"And about your voice... tell them you're still recovering from a cold."
Stella nodded. It was a strange experience, slipping into the life of someone else.
The plan was simple: On the day Stella would depart, her father would undergo the surgery, paid for, in full, thanks to Emma.
They agreed to meet at the port before the ship's departure.
The next few days passed quickly.
Stella stayed by her family's side at the hospital, her father's condition remained stable, but fragile. The surgery was scheduled, and everything was in place.
The morning of the trip arrived.
Stella packed her things, all chosen and prepared by Emma, and got ready to leave.
She knelt beside Jean, brushing his hair with her fingers.
"You'll take care of Mom and Dad while I'm gone, right? I'm counting on you."
Jean blinked away tears and nodded, "I will, sister. I promise."
She embraced her mother next, holding her tightly.
"Mom, please don't worry. I'll be back before you know it. Take care of them, and yourself."
Her mother's voice was low but steady, "I trust you. Just... come back safe, Stella."
With one last glance back at them, Stella left for the port, her heart heavy but her steps firm.
She didn't know what lay ahead.
But she knew why she was going.
And that was enough, for now.