Chapter 3

The next day, all three sets of parents showed up at The Carter Manor with their daughters to apologize to me.

Edward gestured for me to sit beside him, and his expression turned serious and solemn. He looked at the three families, who were all wearing forced, uncomfortable smiles, and cleared his throat.

"Juliana is my youngest daughter," he said, his voice cutting through the tension. "Whether she speaks or not doesn't matter. When the time comes, she'll receive her share of the Carter Group."

The room went silent, and everyone looked shocked. Grace, who was sitting next to Edward, grabbed his hand, and I could see the surprise in her eyes. It was clear he hadn't discussed this with her beforehand. "Honey?" she started.

Edward gave her a reassuring nod.

The children's faces were even easier to read than the adults'. The three girls stared at me with wide eyes, then turned to look at William and Emily standing behind us, and their expressions turned mocking and bitter.

I glanced back at my siblings, too. They both wore complicated expressions as they looked at me, and I quickly turned away and pretended not to notice.

Edward shot William and Emily a brief, cool glance before addressing the visitors again.

"I suggest you teach your children some manners," he said, his tone measured but cutting. "With behavior like this, I can't allow the future heirs of the Carter family to associate with them."

The three sets of parents looked panicked and mortified, forcing their daughters to apologize to me repeatedly.

I didn't want them to stay any longer and make things worse for William and Emily. I knew these apologies weren't sincere anyway. They were just scared of Edward's power.

So I looked up at him and lightly touched my stomach. "Julia is hungry," I said softly.

Everyone in the room froze, and William and Emily looked absolutely stunned. They must have really believed I was mute this whole time.

Edward's voice dropped to something cold and final. "Juliana will be attending Riverside Academy with William and Emily, and I expect her school life to remain pleasant and undisturbed."

He turned to the butler, "Show them out."

Riverside Academy was legendary in Westbridge City, known as the breeding ground for the city's elite. Every student who walked through those gates went on to dominate their chosen field, and the school's reputation was practically untouchable.

After what happened at kindergarten, I'd sworn off school entirely, but Edward had other plans. I sat in the car feeling miserable until I realized he'd thrown enough money around to get me into first grade instead. Money really could solve anything.

At the classroom door, Grace cupped my face and kissed my cheek. "Go on, sweetheart. Don't be scared. Daddy and Mommy will always have your back."

When the homeroom teacher introduced me, she made a point of mentioning that I didn't talk much and sat me next to the class president.

The girl had short hair and wide, curious eyes, and she stuck out her hand with a bright smile. "Hi, I'm Samantha Dean."

I shook her hand and gave her my sweetest smile.

All the teachers knew about my situation, so they never called on me during class. During breaks, the other kids kept their distance since I was new and quiet.

The first week passed peacefully, and no one had any idea I stuttered.

"She's so quiet," I heard someone whisper. "Like, she can go a whole day without saying a word."

"Wait, have you ever actually heard her talk?"

"No, but the class president has."

The only thing I'd ever said to Samantha was "thank you."

The elementary division let out at a different time than middle school, so I rarely rode home with William and Emily.

But today they showed up at the elementary building to pick me up, and I had no idea they were basically celebrities at Riverside until I saw how the other kids reacted to them. William and Emily were clearly popular.

My classmates said, "Wait, William and Emily are your siblings? Juliana, why didn't you say something earlier?"

"I heard they're both top of their class again this year, and Emily's representing Riverside at some international violin competition."

"I'd kill for their autographs. Juliana, can you help me out?"

"The king and queen of Riverside. No wonder Juliana's so gorgeous."

I look exactly like my mother, and that's what I'm most proud of.