Chapter 5
It was Felix Harrison, my so-called father.
His voice was full of authority. "Anastasia, come home for dinner tomorrow. Everyone will meet formally."
It wasn't a suggestion; it was a notification.
I didn't refuse.
Some things just had to be faced.
The next evening, Maddox came to pick me up.
The car rolled into an upscale neighborhood with heavy security.
Finally, we stopped in front of a mansion that looked straight out of a fairy tale—like a castle.
This was the Harrison family, my so-called future "home."
The butler opened the door for us.
In the living room, the crystal chandelier sparkled brilliantly.
On the sofa sat a refined middle-aged couple—my biological parents, I assumed—Felix and Emmie Harrison.
Their gaze was filled with mixed feelings as they looked at me.
There was guilt, curiosity, and a hint of scrutiny in their eyes.
Next to them sat a girl about my age.
She was dressed in a white Chanel dress, her long hair softly curled, and her makeup flawless.
When she saw me, she immediately stood up, her face lighting up with a gentle, graceful smile.
Beatrix said, "You must be Anastasia, right? Welcome home."
She was Beatrix Harrison, the fake heiress who took my place for eighteen years.
She was in a whole different league compared to Harper.
With just a few words, she put herself in charge, making me feel like just another guest being "welcomed" into her home.
Emmie stood up and walked quickly over, taking my hand.
Her eyes were rimmed with red.
"Sweetheart, you must've had such a hard time out there," she said.
Her hand was warm, but I couldn't feel any real connection.
Maybe it was the long separation, or maybe I'm just not the sentimental type.
I just nodded politely.
"Good to see you, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison," I said.
The way I addressed them made the whole room go silent.
Felix's brows knitted together.
Emmie looked embarrassed.
Beatrix quickly jumped in to break the awkward silence.
"Anastasia just got back, she's probably not used to all this yet. It's no big deal," she said smoothly.
As she spoke, she slipped her arm through Emmie's in a familiar, almost possessive way.
"Mom, didn't you get a present for Anastasia? Come on, show her what you picked out," she urged.
Every gesture, every word from Beatrix made it clear that she was the real daughter here, perfectly at home, while I was just the guest.
And me? I felt like an intruder, someone crashing their family gathering.
Emmie shook off the awkwardness and hurriedly told a servant to fetch a velvet box.
When she opened it, there was a set of diamond jewelry inside—so bright and extravagant it almost hurt to look at.
"Anastasia, this is my compensation for everything you've been through. Do you like it?" Emmie asked.
Emmie also said, "I've also prepared a card for you—no spending limit, swipe it as much as you want."
Their way of making it up to me was simple, direct, and honestly, pretty brutal.
They just wanted to throw money at me.
I glanced at the diamond jewelry and then at the black card.
I shook my head and said, "Thank you, but I can't accept these."
Everyone was stunned.
Beatrix's eyes flashed with a hint of disdain.
She probably thought I was just playing hard to get, acting all high and mighty.
"Anastasia, don't be so reserved with Mom and Dad," Beatrix said softly, smiling. "We're family, after all."
"I don't want money, and I don't want jewelry," I said.
I looked at Felix and Emmie, keeping my voice steady. "All I want is to have my name officially transferred from Michal's family records to the Harrison family's, so I can take the SATs as one of you.
"And I need absolute peace and quiet to study. I don't want anyone disturbing me until my exams are over."
My words exploded like a bomb in that lavish living room.
For the first time, Beatrix's perfect smile slipped.
The dramatic 'real vs. fake heiress' showdown she'd staged was completely overturned by me just laying it all out, plain and simple.
I refused to play along with their drama.
My time was too precious to waste on this.
Felix's face darkened.
And Emmie's face went completely pale.
Beatrix's flawless smile finally stiffened on her lips.
My two requests might have sounded simple, but each one hit like a sledgehammer.
First, I wanted my name officially moved to the Harrison family's records.
That meant, on paper, I was severing all legal ties with the Fox family and finally recognized as a true Harrison.
It was legitimacy, plain and simple.
Second, I wanted to be left alone.
That was me shutting down all their carefully planned "compensation" and emotional tactics.
I kept out every method they tried to manipulate, control, or reshape me.
I don't need your money, and I don't need your gifts.