Chapter 1

Emily Sutton stepped into the Sutton residence, feeling the wool carpet under her feet so soft that it seemed unreal.

The air was thick with an unfamiliar, expensive scent, clashing sharply with the faded, well-worn clothes she had on.

In the center of the living room, a family of four was enjoying themselves in perfect harmony.

On the sofa sat Victoria Sutton, elegant and refined, and Richard Sutton, a middle-aged man with a stern expression.

They were Emily's parents.

Beside them, Grace Sutton, dressed in a princess dress, was clinging to the arm of a handsome young man. That was Emily's brother, Michael Sutton.

Emily's arrival was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, breaking the warm family picture.

Everyone's gaze landed on her, scrutinizing and critical, with a trace of hidden contempt.

Emily thought none of her family cared for her, that they all favored Grace instead. Only Alexander Reed saw her differently.

*****

Victoria Sutton was the first to speak, her tone so flat that it was impossible to tell what she was thinking. "So, you're Emily Sutton?"

Emily nodded and kept quiet.

She'd been brought back from a poor rural area, and the bumpy ride had left her exhausted.

The people who picked her up only told her that she was the real Sutton heiress, the one who got switched eighteen years ago.

Richard Sutton frowned, sizing her up from head to toe, his gaze finally settling on her worn-out, yellowed sneakers. "Now that you're back, keep your head down and don't cause any trouble.

"Grace has been with us since she was a child. She's our only daughter."

Those words hit Emily like a cold blade, stabbing straight into her heart.

'So, they didn't bring me back out of love. There must be some other reason,' Emily thought.

Grace Sutton got up and glided over to Emily, her smile as sweet and harmless as ever. "Hey, Emily, you're finally home."

She reached out to grab Emily's hand, but as soon as her fingers brushed against Emily's rough skin, her hand recoiled a bit, almost too quick to notice.

"We're family now. I'll make sure to take care of you," Grace promised.

Michael Sutton strode over, looking down at her with a warning glare. "Don't go after things that aren't yours."

Emily dropped her eyes, masking the hurt in them.

She never intended to take anything that didn't belong to her. All she wanted was a home. But now, Emily realized this place didn't feel like home at all.

The butler led her upstairs, through a wide, bright hallway, and finally ended up in front of a cramped, gloomy storage room. "Ms. Sutton, this will be your room from now on."

The room had nothing but a small bed and an old desk, and the air smelled of dust. It was a world apart from Grace's fairytale princess bedroom.

Emily didn't bother to care. She dropped her worn-out bag on the floor and quietly settled in.

To her, as long as she had a place to keep out the wind and rain, that was all she needed.

*****

That evening, the Sutton family held a dinner, supposedly to celebrate Grace's win at the piano competition. Emily was told to come down as well.

The long dining table was piled high with fancy dishes, but Emily had no appetite. She quietly sat in the corner, doing her best to fade into the background and avoid any attention.

During the meal, Richard and Victoria fussed over Grace nonstop, making sure she had plenty to eat and showering her with warm, loving attention.

Michael even went so far as to peel shrimp one by one, dropping each onto Grace's plate.

No one spared Emily a single glance, as if she were utterly invisible.

"Grace, make sure you do your best at the Reed family's party next week." Victoria's eyes were brimming with expectation as she looked at her. "Mr. Reed is young and accomplished. If you could..."

Grace lowered her head, her cheeks tinged with a shy blush. "Mom, stop teasing me."

Emily listened quietly and thought, her heart feeling like a barren wasteland, 'Turns out, this is why they brought me back. It's to clear the path for their golden girl.'

*****

After dinner, Emily returned to her cramped room. She took out a freshly washed shirt from her bag, the only keepsake left to her by the grandmother who raised her.

As she was about to change, the door was pushed open.

Grace walked in with a glass of water, her sweet smile still plastered on her face.

"Hey, Emily, I brought you some water." As she spoke, she walked over to Emily.

When she got close, her hand jerked to the side. The entire glass of water landed squarely on the shirt Emily was holding.

"Oh no, I'm so sorry, Emily. I didn't mean to do that," Grace exclaimed as a glimmer of smugness flashed in her eyes.

She glanced at the drenched shirt, pretending to apologize. "This shirt's soaked now. You can't wear it anymore. I have a few old clothes I don't wear anymore. If you don't mind, you can take them."

With that, Grace turned to go get them. She acted like she was tossing scraps to a beggar, her whole attitude dripping with condescension.

Emily watched her in silence, not saying a word. She could feel the barely hidden hostility radiating from Grace.

Grace saw Emily keeping quiet and figured she was fine with it. Without another word, Grace went to her room and came back with a crumpled dress.

"Here you go." Grace tossed her dress onto Emily's bed, her tone laced with disdain. "I bought this last year. Sure, it's out of fashion now, but it's miles better than whatever you're wearing."

Emily picked up the soaked shirt and ran her fingers over the creased fabric, trying to smooth it out.

Her grandmother had scrimped and saved to buy her this shirt. It was the only thing in this world that ever made her feel loved.

She looked up at Grace, her words deliberate and unwavering. "No, thank you."

Grace's smile faltered for a moment. She never expected this country bumpkin to actually have the nerve to refuse her. "What do you mean? You think my clothes are beneath you?"

Emily didn't even look at her. She handled the wet shirt with care, hanging it up as if it were something precious. "Please leave."

Grace's face instantly darkened. "Emily, don't push your luck. Do you really think moving back into the Sutton family makes you a real heiress? Stop dreaming. As long as I'm here, you don't belong."

As she spoke, Grace reached out, trying to snatch the shirt Emily had hung up.

Emily's eyes turned cold as she grabbed Grace's wrist in one sharp, swift movement. Her grip was so strong that Grace let out a sharp cry of pain. "Let go of me."

Emily held firm, her stare cold and unwavering. "I told you to get out."

Just then, the door burst open.

Michael stormed in, fury written all over his face. "Emily, what the hell are you doing?"

He caught sight of Grace's red wrist and, without warning, roughly shoved Emily away.

Emily stumbled, slamming into the desk behind her with a dull thud.

Michael pulled Grace behind him, glaring at Emily. "Try touching Grace and see what happens."

Grace hid behind Michael, tears streaming down her face, looking pitiful. "Michael, I was trying to be nice and give her some clothes, but she..."

Michael shot Grace a protective look, his resentment toward Emily deepening. "Apologize to Grace, now."

Emily stood up, brushed herself off, her face blank and unreadable. "I did nothing wrong."

Michael was seething with rage and raised his hand to strike her.

Just then, the butler's voice echoed from downstairs. "Mr. Sutton, Mrs. Sutton, Mr. Reed is here."

Michael froze, his anger vanished, replaced by surprise. Why was Alexander here?

Grace stopped crying, her eyes flickering with delight and nervousness.

She hurriedly wiped away her tears and smoothed her hair, tidying herself up to look her best.

Emily felt nothing when she heard the name. All she noticed was the burning pain in her wrist where she'd been grabbed.

*****

Downstairs in the living room, a tall, imposing man sat on the sofa, radiating an icy aura that warned everyone to keep their distance.

He was Alexander Reed, the heir to the Reed family in Lwroand, the man every socialite in town was dying to get close to.

Richard and Victoria sat off to the side, unable to hide the sycophantic look on their faces. "Mr. Reed, it's truly an honor to have you visit our home."

Alexander ignored their compliments, casting a brief look toward the staircase.

"I heard you finally found your long-lost daughter?" His voice was deep and smooth, carrying a subtle note of curiosity.

Richard paused for a moment, then quickly regained his composure. "Yes, we did."

He gave Victoria a meaningful glance. Victoria caught on instantly and went upstairs to call Grace. Just then, Emily came down the stairs.

She'd changed into clean clothes, still simple, but there was no hiding her delicate beauty and that quiet, unmistakable presence about her. Everyone's eyes snapped to her at once.

Alexander's gaze lingered on her face for a few seconds, something strange and intense flickering in his eyes.

Grace trailed behind, and as soon as she caught sight of Alexander, she immediately switched to looking all fragile and helpless.

"Alexander, you're here." Grace tried to approach him, but Alexander's icy stare froze her in place.

Alexander rose and walked straight toward Emily.

He stopped right in front of her, his gaze deep and unwavering, locking onto her.

Emily felt awkward under Alexander's intense stare and instinctively stepped back.

As everyone was wondering if Alexander was about to do something to Emily, he suddenly spoke. His voice was soft, but everyone in the room heard him clearly. "I'm here to give something back for my grandma."

With that, he took out a fancy box from his pocket. He opened it, revealing a timeless emerald pendant resting quietly inside.

The pendant was engraved with a rose, as if ready to bloom in full splendor.

Everyone was stunned. Richard and Victoria, especially, were frozen in disbelief and shock.

Alexander didn't bother with anyone's reaction. Without a word, he held the box out to Emily. "My grandma said this emerald pendant belongs to the daughter of her old friend.

"That child has a rose-shaped birthmark somewhere on her body."