Chapter 2

Before the Norris family brought me back, I had all kinds of wild ideas about how things might turn out.

Here was what I thought.

If the Norris family liked me, I'd try my best to get along with them.

If they didn't like me, but were willing to give me a share of the family business and some compensation, I'd strike it rich overnight.

If they hated me but let a little money slip my way, that'd be a lucky break, enough to make my life a bit easier. And if nothing else, having the Norris family's name backing me would give me some extra confidence when getting around in society.

But once I actually returned to the Norris family, I realized none of that was ever going to happen.

Deep down, the Norris family truly looked down on me.

One time, I accidentally made a little noise while drinking my soup, and Amelie shot me this weird look, like she felt sorry for me but also couldn't stand it. She just stared, awkward and uncomfortable.

The rest of the Norris family, Darryl included, kept their faces blank, but I could sense that hint of disdain they all shared.

When I walked with my awkward, country bumpkin shuffle, Amelie suddenly stopped, glared at me, and snapped, "Can you not be so loud?" Her impatience was obvious.

The Norris family just pursed their lips, pretending not to notice, but quietly put a little more distance between us.

One morning, I stumbled downstairs with my hair all over the place and still in pajamas. Amelie just scoffed, rolled her eyes, and walked away from the table.

The rest of them followed, frowning, and left their breakfast untouched as they got up and walked out.

Honestly, their disgust and distance didn't bother me at all.

That was exactly how I wanted things to be.

What I really hoped for was that they'd just hand me a wad of cash and cut ties for good.

But Philip and Caitlin were obsessed with appearances. They insisted on throwing a huge, over-the-top party to show everyone their long-lost daughter was finally back.

All just to show off how squeaky-clean and proper their family was.

But behind closed doors, Caitlin told Amelie she only recognized her as her daughter.

I wouldn't be officially part of the Norris family, and I'd never see a dime of their fortune. In their hearts, Amelie was the only one who counted.

To make sure I never got any ideas about their money, they even tried to trick me into signing a paper waiving any claim to their assets.

One day, I peeked through the crack in the door and saw Caitlin slip a sparkling diamond necklace into Amelie's hand. Then she pulled her darling daughter into a warm hug, her voice soft and gentle.

Caitlin said, "Amelie, this necklace was specially left to me by your grandmother. It's priceless, and now I'm passing it on to you. Honestly, you're the only one who truly deserves something this precious.

"Make sure you keep it safe, and don't let Jaelyn see it. Who knows, she might just help herself to it..."

Wasn't that just stealing?

It was only my third day back with the Norris family, and I hadn't done a single thing wrong, yet my own mother was already assuming the worst about me.

So I kept my real reason for coming back to the Norris family completely to myself.

I was scared that if they ever found out, they'd use it against me.

Even worse, I dreaded what they'd do if they ever got wind of it.

Instead of helping Brayan Paul get his sentence reduced, they might go out of their way to destroy him and do something that would haunt me forever.

In the end, the welcome party was called off because they thought I was too much of a disgrace.

Barely had Caitlin finished worrying I might "help myself" to something, Amelie suddenly 'discovered' her lost diamond necklace under my bed.

Pretending to be clueless and timid didn't help at all.

Amelie even went out of her way to call me into her room the night before, just so she could frame me and give me the perfect opportunity to be accused.

Found out by the whole family and Darryl, I just kept quiet and didn't even try to defend myself.

Darryl gave me a cold, almost heartless look.

The Norris family's faces were full of disappointment as they looked at me.

They were all waiting for me to speak up.

Just waiting for me to say anything, so they could tear it apart and shut me up.

But I just kept my lips pressed tight, tears rolling down my cheeks, looking helpless and miserable. No matter how many times they questioned me, I stayed silent, just standing there and crying, powerless to do anything.

I didn't say I stole it, and I didn't say I didn't.

If they actually cared, they could've found out the truth themselves.

But in the end, everyone agreed, just because Amelie said so, I was labeled a thief and got punished with three days of no food.

Of course, I wasn't about to let them starve me for three days.

At night, I'd sneak downstairs and scrounge for snacks in the fridge. On the third night, I even secretly ordered some takeout for myself.

By then, I'd finally seen things for what they were.

Not only was I getting nothing from the Norris family, but I was starting to realize it might be tough to get out unscathed.

The only thing I could be grateful for was that they still hadn't caught on to my connection with Brayan.

I regretted coming back to the Norris family so recklessly, but at least I hadn't fought back. If I had, they might've gotten suspicious and dug up every last secret I had.

The Norris family seemed totally unaware that my grades were actually excellent, but Darryl and Amelie definitely knew.

The day the SAT results dropped, everyone gathered around Amelie, trying to cheer her up.

She bombed the test.

Her family had already planned for her to study abroad, but then I showed up—another kid her age, taking the SATs at the same time.

And as fate would have it, I absolutely crushed it.