Chapter 3

Sterling Estate sat halfway up the mountain. The mountain was the most expensive land in Riverside City. It looked like a classical castle.

When Alexander took my hand and led me through the iron gates with their fancy carvings, I still felt like none of this was real.

Inside the hall, a well-preserved couple with an elegant and dignified manner was already waiting. The beautiful woman was my biological mother, Grace Sterling. The moment she saw me, she couldn't hold back anymore. She covered her mouth, too choked up to speak.

"My Serena... my daughter." She walked over quickly and pulled me into a tight hug. Her tears soaked my shoulder. "It's my fault. I lost you."

My father, Richard Sterling, was a man who had been in power for years. He had an intimidating presence without even trying. But now his eyes were red too.

He patted my back gently. His voice was choked. "It's okay. You're home. That's all that matters."

All the love and warmth I'd missed for over 20 years suddenly flooded in, wrapping around me. My heart filled up with a feeling that was both bitter and warm.

Just then, a voice cut through, breaking the mood. "Mom, Dad, Serena is back. This is a happy occasion. Please don't cry."

I looked up and saw Olivia walking slowly down the stairs. She wore a new Dior dress. Her makeup was perfect.

With a polite, gentle smile on her face, she walked up and tried to take my hand, her manner all warm and friendly.

"Serena, it's so nice to meet you. I'm Olivia Grant. Thank you... for bearing all the things that were supposed to be my lot all these years." She acted humble and pitiful, like she felt guilty.

Behind her stood a middle-aged couple. They were her adoptive parents, the ones who had orchestrated the switch back then. They were all smiles now. They nodded and bowed to my parents. But their eyes were full of shrewd calculation.

What a touching scene of "sisterly love."

If I hadn't heard her sugary but poisonous words just an hour ago at the hospital, "A girl needs to know how to respect herself", I might have actually fallen for her perfect act.

I looked at her coldly and pulled back from her outstretched hand.

"Ms. Grant," I said. My voice wasn't loud, but it rang clear through the whole hall. "Do I even know you?"

Olivia's smile froze on her face.

My parents and Alexander were stunned too. They looked at me, confused.

I ignored everyone's astonished looks and took out my phone from my bag. I pulled up that glaring proposal photo and held it up in front of Olivia.

I said, "Ms. Grant, you've been enjoying the life that should have been mine. You live in my house and spend my parents' money. And on top of that, you stole my boyfriend. You're... really something else."

My voice was calm. But it landed like a hard slap across her face and across the faces of her adoptive parents too.

The air in the hall froze.

As they looked at the photo, Richard and Grace's faces changed instantly, and being no fools, they grasped exactly what was going on.

"Olivia, what is this about?" Grace's voice had a sharp edge to it for the first time.

Olivia's face went ghostly pale instantly. She waved her hands frantically. The tears came on cue. "Mom, that's not true. Please let me explain. James and I truly love each other... I didn't know he was with Serena before."

"Enough." Alexander's cold voice cut off her excuses. He walked over to me. His eyes showed nothing but trust and the need to protect me.

"Save your explanations." His gaze swept over Olivia and her adoptive parents like a sword. "There's no room in this family for people with such a vicious heart."

He paused for a moment. Then, in front of everyone, he announced firmly and clearly, "In three days, we will hold a grand welcome party for Serena.

"We will tell all of Riverside City that she is my only sister, the one and only heiress of this family.

"Also, starting today, we will take back everything we gave to Olivia. That includes her properties, her luxury cars, and her company shares. Your family should go back to where you truly belong."

Olivia's body swayed hard. If her adoptive mother hadn't held her up, she would have collapsed right there.

Olivia looked up. Her eyes were full of venom, locked on me, as if saying, "Serena, just you wait."

I shot her a cold smile.

Wait? I had waited for more than 20 years. Now it's your turn to pay.