I watched her leave with a blank expression, but inside, I was mourning the one million dollars she’d just tor
to pieces.
My mother dabbed the corner of her eye and slipped a lustrous jade bracelet from her own wrist.
“My dear child,” she said softly. “We were just so frightened by Isabelle’s behavior. We never truly intended to force you to sign anything.” She placed the heavy, cool bracelet on my wrist. “This is a welcome home gif from your mother. Please, keep it.”
My father waved his hand dismissively and handed me a black card. “Take it. Spend what you want. Just do ‘t end up like that ungrateful brat.”
My brother produced a stack of property deeds and several sets of luxury car keys.
2/7
02.46
02.46
Chapter 1
Not to be outdone, Grandfather had the butler bring out a prepared portfolio of stock transfer agreements.
I stared at the mountain of wealth in my hands, and my eyes began to well up.
They were completely caught off guard by my reaction, and panic flickered across their faces.
Mother immediately turned on Father. “This is all your fault! Did you have to shove a contract in her face?
Look, you’ve scared our daughter to tears!”
Father shot her a wounded look but wisely kept his mouth shut.
My brother asked nervously, “Do you… do you feel suffocated too?”
I quickly shook my head, wiping my eyes. “No, it’s not Dad’s fault. I just… I never imagined you would all be sc
kind to me…”
The tears started falling again.
All those years I was lost, I had grown used to fighting.
Fighting for a bite of meat.
Fighting for a new set of underwear.
Fighting for the chance to learn.
I had never dreamed that there were things in this world you didn’t have to fight for, things your family would
simply place in your hands.
And Isabelle… she had enjoyed the life that should have been mine for twenty years, and now she had the audacity to claim she had suffered in my place.
Fine. Let’s just see how long her precious “freedom” lasts.
