Chapter 1

I used to be the brightest star of the Parker family in Pitzville.

Just one paternity test, and I was kicked out to the countryside.

My own father and brother beat me black and blue.

The childhood sweetheart I'd chased for ten years despised me to his core.

Lawrence Moore looked at me and asked if I still loved him.

I tugged at the rabbit's ears and gave him a puzzled look.

I blinked and asked, "Who are you?"

*****

The day I was brought back, I turned my head and caught a glimpse of myself in the car window.

My chin was sharp, my face gaunt. There was not a trace left of the pampered heiress I'd been three years ago.

My brother, Liam Parker, sitting in the front seat, shot me a look full of disgust.

He sneered, "Who are you trying to fool with that pitiful act? It was only three years in the sticks.

"You stole twenty years from Matilda. This is just a little payback."

If I were still the old me, I would've argued right back and maybe even slapped him. Hell, that would've been letting him off easy.

But I was no longer the Parker family's spoiled princess.

I curled my fingers tight, clutching the worn hem of my faded dress, just trying to make myself look small.

"Got it," I said quietly.

As I stepped out of the car, Liam wrinkled his nose and told the driver to get it washed.

He acted like I'd left some stain behind.

The car pulled up right in front of the club.

The brother I used to be close with brought me there to humiliate me.

"Let's go," he said.

I didn't have a choice.

As soon as I stepped into the private room, my fingers went numb.

There he was, Lawrence, standing right in front of me.

He was the man I'd loved madly for ten years.

Back then, everyone in Pitzville knew I was head over heels for Lawrence. I chased after him shamelessly and wouldn't let go.

Lawrence hated anyone who wouldn't let go, but I was too stubborn and clueless to care.

Three years had gone by, and he was even more composed and reserved than before. He had this commanding presence, carrying himself with an effortless, intimidating class that money couldn't buy.

"What's she doing here?" Lawrence's voice was laced with obvious annoyance.

Everyone else turned to look at me.

"Who's that? Why does she look so... country?" someone muttered.

Someone recognized me.

"Wait, isn't that the Parker family's heiress from three years ago? What happened to her? Still clinging to Lawrence like a bad habit? Seriously, you're still not over him?"

"For real! Take a look at yourself. Do you really think you're in his league? Lawrence is already engaged to Matilda. You don't stand a chance."

Everyone was just waiting to see me make a fool of myself.

Three years ago, I was all pride and sunshine. For the moment, I was a wreck.

I bit my lip, the taste bitter on my tongue.

"I was clueless before, but I won't chase after you anymore. Please, Mr. Moore, just cut me some slack and let me go," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lawrence raised an eyebrow. For a split second, he looked surprised, like he thought I'd come crawling back to him.

"Why are you back?" he asked, his tone cold. He wasn't about to let me off the hook.

I clenched my fingers, lowering my head to hide my unease. "It's my parents' idea."

I took a deep breath and said seriously, "I know I messed up. I swear, I won't chase after you anymore, and I won't even get close to Matilda."

All I wanted was for him not to kick me out of town and dump me back in the countryside.

His voice was cold as ice. "If you cross the line again, no one can protect you."

I mumbled, "Got it."

I ignored everyone's mocking looks and forced a smile. "Well, Mr. Moore, I wish you and Matilda a long and loving marriage, and may you have a happy family."

Honestly, I meant every word, but Lawrence's face just got even darker. "Get out!" he snapped.

Liam was still standing off to the side, clearly enjoying the show.

He'd gotten exactly what he wanted. He'd humiliated me.

Winter had already settled over Pitzville, cold and unforgiving.

I was wrapped in a thin, faded jacket, so worn that it was barely holding together.

Liam clearly wasn't planning to give me a ride home.

The Parker family's villa was at least nine miles away.

If I had to, I could walk all the way back.

I pulled my jacket tighter around me and trudged home. It took me three hours, and when I finally got there, nobody bothered to open the door.

The housekeeper, Mary Kim, hovered by the entrance, torn about whether to let me in or not.

I just stood there and tried to reassure her. "It's okay, Mary. You should head back in."

It started snowing in the middle of the night.

I curled up under a street sign, feeling just like a stray with no place to call home.

Three years ago, everyone thought I was the one who hired thugs to cripple Matilda's hand.

Just one paternity test from Lawrence, and he threw me into hell himself.

My biological dad was a gambling addict and a drunk. Whenever he staggered home wasted, he'd hold me down and beat the crap out of me.

Being the oldest, I had to hustle, working every odd job I could find, to scrape together enough cash.

Every penny went to my little brother's tuition.

If I came up short, they'd both gang up on me and beat me.

I'd been on the brink of death more times than I could count.

I called Lawrence, pleading for him to bring me back home.

But he'd either hang up on me or, with that cold voice, ask, "Do you know what you did wrong?"

But seriously, what did I even do wrong?

Back then, I was just a hotheaded kid. There was no way I would say sorry for something I never did.

But that day, my real dad almost beat me to death, with my fingers trembling so badly that I could barely punch in the numbers. I called that number I'd memorized by heart all these years.

I whispered, barely holding it together. "I know I messed up.

"Lawrence, can you, can you take me home?"

Lawrence hesitated, then replied, his tone ice-cold, "That place is your home. Quit the drama."

In that split second, all my memories came roaring back, flashing before my eyes.