Chapter 1

The day I was brought back to Evans Estate, I found out I was supposed to have been the real heiress.

But when I got home, there was none of the hostility I'd braced myself for.

My parents' eyes welled up with tears when they saw me, and in front of everyone, they claimed me as their daughter.

Even Alina Evans, the girl who had lived my life, treated me as her sister and taught me their ways.

But it still felt awful.

Whenever I knocked over a cup or tripped on my gown, I could hear the servants snickering quietly.

Finally, something in me broke. I turned and slapped one right across the face.

Then my mother broke too.

She snapped, "What is it you want from us?"

My voice shook as I replied, "You all keep holding me up against Alina. Saying I'm rough, saying I don't belong here.

"But everything she has—it was supposed to be mine. So why am I the joke?"

I looked at my parents.

"This house can only hold one of us. Her or me. You choose," I said, my voice steady but cold.

My father's lips moved, but he hesitated.

"Alina didn't do anything wrong," he finally said.

She didn't do anything wrong.

Was I just supposed to accept that? To swallow it all and play along?

"Decide. It's your call," I said, my voice cold and unyielding.

*****

"Serena..." my mother called out softly.

The moment her hand touched me, I flung it off, my whole body tense.

"Don't touch me," I snapped, my voice sharp and full of anger.

That did it. My father, who had been silently seething, finally snapped. He strode up to me, his face dark with fury.

Without hesitation, he slapped me hard and mercilessly across the face.

I clutched my face, barely managing to stay on my feet.

"You impossible girl! Just look at yourself. Is this how a lady acts? You're a disgrace to this family," he roared.

A lady?

I forced myself to stay calm, swallowing the tremble in my voice.

"A lady? You seem to forget, Father. I grew up in the backwoods, remember? From the moment I arrived, everyone here has looked at me like I'm some stain they can't scrub out," I shot back.

All the hurt and anger I'd bottled up for months finally pushed me over the edge.

I swept my arm across the table. The coffee pot and cups flew, shattering on the floor.

My voice tore from my throat, raw and loud. "Everything good in this house goes to her first! What I get are just the things she didn't want.

"You all see a country bumpkin who doesn't know any better. So you throw me these scraps and expect me to be grateful?"

The memory rushed back, sharp and clear. Just last month, two bolts of exquisite silk were delivered from the city.

I couldn't wait to get new proper gowns made from them.

But as I passed by the garden, I overheard two servants snickering behind my back.

"Did you see that? Ms. Serena Evans got her hands on that fabric and she's grinning like she struck gold," one of them sneered.

"What does she know about real quality? That cloth was just the leftovers Ms. Alina Evans didn't want, and she's clutching it like the crown jewels." The other scoffed.

Right then, it felt like I'd fallen into a hole full of ice. Everything just went cold.

Turns out, what I thought was compensation was nothing but scraps tossed my way.

But I was the real heiress.

Why did she get to steal 15 years of my life, grow up polished, perfect, and have everyone singing her praises?

I grew up in the gutter. And now that I was home, all I got was laughed at.

My whole body trembled with anger, and tears spilled down my cheeks despite myself.

"To all of you, I'm just the punchline that makes Alina seem so noble and untouchable," I shouted, my voice breaking.

"Serena, that's enough," my mother cut in sharply, trying to stop me.

"If the servants talk, dismiss them. If you want something finer, ask me. Have I ever refused you?" she said, her tone a mix of frustration and concern.

My father, still struggling to keep his anger in check, echoed her words.

"If you want something, go choose it from the family vaults. Must you make a scene over servants' gossip?" he said, trying to sound reasonable.

Alina had been silently wiping away tears, but now she rushed over.

"I never meant... If there's anything you like, just take it from my room," she said, her voice trembling with guilt.

She reached out, her gesture awkward and earnest.

I stepped back, avoiding her touch. A cold laugh escaped me.

"Why should I settle for your leftovers? This whole house was meant to be mine. You took my name, my parents, and the life I should have lived!" I snapped, my voice shaking with anger.

I took a deep breath, bracing myself for what was coming.

"I don't want to see you ever again. I want you... to get out of this house!" I shouted, my voice shaking with rage.

As soon as the last word left my mouth, the hall fell into deathly silence.

Alina stood there, frozen, looking like she might fall apart any second.

My mother rushed over and hugged her tightly, shooting me a look full of disapproval.

Of course. She was all they cared about.

I looked around the room and let out a bitter laugh.

There had never been a place for me here.

Then, with everyone staring at me in horror, I turned and bolted straight for the well in the courtyard.

I threw myself at the edge without a second thought.

The guards caught me right before I could leap.

I struggled desperately, kicking and thrashing.

"It's me or her! One of us has to go," I screamed, my voice raw with rage.

My mother yanked me out of the guards' arms and pulled me into a tight hug.

"Serena. My girl, stop this. Please, I beg you, don't..." she pleaded, her voice trembling with fear.

Her words were just noise. I just kept struggling desperately in her arms.