Chapter 2

I didn't understand. I glanced down at the paper on the table, and only then did I realize it was a paternity test.

The child's section had Flora's real name written in it.

But under "Father" was Evan Sullivan.

I stared in disbelief. Wasn't that Evan's name?

While I was still trying to make sense of it, Flora smirked, clearly loving every second of this drama.

She said, "My dad said the hospital totally messed things up and switched us at birth. Now that he's finally tracked me down, he's gonna make it up to me in a big way. So pack your stuff and get out of my house, right now!"

Staring at Flora's ecstatic face, it finally clicked for me. I was connecting the dots at last.

Flora was actually Evan's real daughter, the one who got switched at birth all those years ago.

What a small world.

And even crazier, Flora had totally gotten things wrong.

She'd watched Evan come to pick me up from school before, and since he shared the same last name as me, she was totally convinced he was my dad.

And since I always rocked designer clothes and cruised to school in a Bentley, she figured Evan must be loaded.

That was why she strutted around, seeing herself as the genuine heiress and labeling me as the fake one.

I couldn't help but laugh at how absurd it all was.

Just as I was about to set the record straight, Flora's eyes suddenly darted to the doorway, her whole face lighting up.

"Harley!" she blurted out, practically bouncing with excitement.

I glanced up and saw a stunning guy standing right at the classroom door.

Harley Johnson, the guy who'd been after me for six months and only made us official yesterday. He was a junior in our department.

I figured he was here for me and started to get up.

But Flora beat me to it, hurrying over and clinging to Harley's arm, all smiles and acting super close.

And Harley didn't even try to push her away.

I frowned instantly.

"Harley," I fixed him with a cold stare. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Harley just sneered, giving me a contemptuous chuckle instead of an answer.

"Guess I forgot to tell you," he said, pulling Flora closer, his voice full of pride. "Flora and I are together now."

Thinking back to all that sweet talk Harley gave me just yesterday, I couldn't help but scoff. "Are you kidding me, Harley?"

"You're the one who kid everyone," he shot back coldly. "I asked you out because I thought you were old money. To think I wasted my time on a fake heiress all this time."

That was when I finally put it all together. Flora totally got the story wrong and pegged me as the fake heiress, then went ahead and filled Harley in on her little theory.

And Harley? I'd thought he was into me for, well, me. Turns out, all he ever cared about was the labels I wore and the car I drove. He only chased after me because he wanted that glitzy lifestyle, not because of who I am.

It wasn't just Harley. Everyone around me was whispering and gossiping.

"Hey, did you guys hear? Brittany Sullivan might not even be her dad's real daughter!"

"Are you serious? She's always flashing Hermès and Chanel, and she totally looks like a rich girl. Does that mean she's just a fake heiress now?"

"Yep. And Flora's actually the real heiress."

"No way, that's just wild!"

"I always thought Flora carried herself with more class than Brittany anyway. Turns out, blood will tell."

"For real! Brittany's always flashing those luxury bags and outfits, but honestly, half the time I think they're just cheap knockoffs you'd find online."

Clearly, it wasn't just Harley. The whole "real vs. fake heiress" story had spread far and wide.

Honestly, I had to hand it to Flora.

The paternity results had only been out for half a day, and she'd already managed to make it the talk of the school.

With promo skills like hers, she was totally wasting her talent if she was not running PR.

I wanted to set the story straight, but seeing all those classmates and Harley, who used to treat me like royalty, now flocking to Flora, showering her with compliments, and mocking me like I was nothing, I lost all motivation.

Suddenly, I just didn't feel like explaining anything anymore.

Dad was right. You only saw people's true colors when you hid your wealth.

So, without another word, I stood up and walked out of the classroom.