Chapter 1

My parents wanted Danny Feron to take over the family business.

Ever since he was a kid, they told him, "You don't have to value anything else in this house, but Iris is your only possession."

Danny really believed it.

While other heirs were busy showing off their supercars and hanging out with models, Danny was at home watching baby videos of me in split pants.

While other rich kids were hustling to launch startups and secure investments, Danny was figuring out which fabrics would be the softest against my skin.

When the truth came out that I was not my parents' real daughter and was thrown out of the Feron family, I wanted to die.

But Danny, standing in the pouring rain, ripped off his suit jacket, his eyes fixed on me like a wolf locking onto its prey, grinning like a madman.

Danny said, "This is perfect. You're finally all mine now."

*****

At my birthday party, the Feron Mansion was glowing with lights.

My mom held my aunt's hand, talking animatedly.

My mom said, "You have no idea. Iris has always been glued to Danny since she was little.

"On her first birthday, she ignored the family heirloom and grabbed Danny's tie, refusing to let go.

"Danny is usually so icy and reserved that even I get nervous around him. But with Iris, he practically raised her himself. It was almost like he was her mother.

"When Iris said she wanted to go to a boarding school, he acted like the world was ending."

My mom was in a great mood today and threw in one of her favorite lines.

She said, "The Feron family has the noblest bloodline. When it comes to raising a child, only the purest lineage is worthy of wearing this silk."

I couldn't believe that she said Danny was acting like my mother.

I was poking at the cake on my plate when a cup of hot chocolate was suddenly placed beside me.

Danny sat down next to me, his knee brushing against mine like it was the most natural thing in the world.

He slipped his arm around me and gently rubbed my lower abdomen, his voice barely above a whisper. "Still sore?"

I felt uneasy with so many people watching. The Feron family elders, socialites, and big shots were all whispering among themselves.

I whispered, "Danny, everyone's watching."

Danny still didn't let go. His deep eyes locked onto mine, radiating a dominance that made me feel powerless to resist.

His long fingers gently stroked my trembling thigh, and he spoke in a gentle but commanding tone. "Iris, listen to me and drink it."

He took the fork from my hand, scraped off the extra frosting, and held the softest piece of cake up to my lips.

Just as I opened my mouth for that piece of cake, the party hall doors swung open with a crash.

My dad strode in, holding the hand of a shy, unfamiliar girl. His expression was grave and oddly relieved. I'd never seen that before.

In that instant, the tension inside me snapped like a broken string.

That party ended the first twenty years of my life.

A DNA test report was tossed onto the table. Its pristine white pages seemed ironic under the glittering chandeliers.

My mom, who had just been holding my hand so tenderly, recoiled as if she'd touched something contaminated, scrubbing her palm against her silk gown in revulsion.

"So, the child I've raised for twenty years is actually a maid's kid?" she spat.

Her piercing voice rang out beneath the opulent chandeliers, every word landing like a blow.

Her faith in bloodline crumbled in an instant. Now, when she looked at me, all I saw was raw, instinctive revulsion.

Jillian Feron was the true heiress of the Feron family. She was nestled in my dad's arms, tears streaming down her face, looking every bit the wronged princess.

I stood in the center of the hall, feeling like a criminal stripped bare and put on display. The whispers around me surged like waves, threatening to swallow me whole.

Danny didn't say a word. He remained exactly where he'd been sitting, calmly swirling his half-full glass of red wine.

The crimson liquid traced slow, seductive rings along the glass. He ignored Jillian and my enraged parents completely.

His gaze was locked onto my terrified eyes, as if he was savoring every flicker of panic in them.

My dad snapped, pointing at the door, his voice icy like he was kicking out some stray, "Get out. The Feron family raised you for twenty years.

"Don't make me throw you out myself. All the expensive jewelry and dresses stay here. Only true Feron blood gets to wear them. Trash like you doesn't deserve a thing."

I didn't even get a chance to grab my stuff. The Feron family's bodyguards dragged me out the door.

Outside, the rain was coming down in sheets.

The summer rain beat down on me, its chill sinking right into my bones.

In my expensive silk dress, I staggered along the muddy road, barely able to keep my balance.

One of my high heels was long gone, and my foot was cut open by sharp gravel. Every step sent a sharp pain through me.