Chapter 1

To appease our adopted sister, my brother Aaron secretly swapped my dream acceptance letter to a premier art academy for an admission packet to a mediocre state college halfway across the country.

The document lying on the living room table stared back at me, its unfamiliar crest glaringly out of place.

The relatives exchanged uncomfortable glances as muffled whispers began to ripple through the room.

"Wait, what's going on? Didn't Hannah get into the National Art Academy?"

"I mean, a state college is okay, but it is a massive step down."

I stood frozen, my hands gripping the hem of my shirt as a ringing filled my ears.

Aaron walked over and patted my shoulder, his voice dripping with forced helplessness. "Hannah, Stella bombed her SATs and ruined her portfolio. She's been crying for days.

"She loves art so much but just doesn't have your talent, and it breaks my heart. Cut her some slack, okay? Just play along to cheer her up.

"Don't worry, it's just for show. I'll get it switched back before the fall semester starts.

"Do you honestly think we would actually let you go to some dead-end school?"

Dead silence swallowed the living room.

The air itself felt thick as every pair of eyes locked onto the flimsy acceptance letter in my hand.

Aunt Sarah's cup hovered in midair. "Is this... Southbridge State University?"

"The National Art Academy and Southbridge State University? Those aren't even in the same league," someone muttered.

"Teaching is a solid career," my other aunt chimed in, offering a stiff, awkward smile. "It's stable for a girl."

I slowly looked up, dragging my gaze from the fake letter to Aaron's face, then to my boyfriend, Logan Pierce, standing right next to him.

My knuckles were white. My throat felt like sandpaper. "You hacked into my student portal and changed my college decision. Didn't you?"

Aaron avoided my eyes. He grabbed his drink and took a heavy swallow, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Yeah. I did."

He set the glass down, looking instantly annoyed. "Stella found out you got into your top choice and felt totally worthless.

"She's been locked in her room starving herself. My hands were tied. I had to do something to make her happy.

"We can just throw some money at the school and fix it before move-in day anyway."

"It's all my fault," Stella whimpered from behind Aaron.

Her eyes were red, the picture of pathetic innocence. "I didn't mean for this to happen. I just... I just felt like such a loser."

She sniffled, her voice trembling with perfectly timed tears. "Aaron, please don't be mad at Hannah. I was acting like a brat and put you in a horrible spot.

"Hannah, I am so sorry. This is entirely on me. Please don't embarrass Aaron in front of everyone. He was only doing this to keep the peace."

"Stop apologizing!" Aaron snapped. A look of genuine heartbreak crossed his face as he looked at her.

Then he turned his glare on me, his brows knit together. "Look at how mature Stella is being.

"And look at you. You're interrogating me in front of the whole family over a minor glitch?

"Did you even stop to think about how humiliated I feel right now? You are unbelievably selfish!"

I turned to my boyfriend. "Logan, do you seriously think I'm the one in the wrong here?"

Logan frowned, his tone dripping with disappointment. "Hannah, you really shouldn't be attacking your brother in public.

"Stella is younger and she was hurting. Aaron was just trying to keep her safe.

"This isn't some irreversible tragedy. With our families' money, we have plenty of time to clear things up with the admissions office.

"Throwing a tantrum right now just makes your brother look terrible. Be the bigger person. Stop acting like a brat."

Peeking out from behind Aaron's shoulder, Stella flashed me a quick, triumphant smirk, then instantly dropped her head again to play the ultimate victim.

Aaron shifted his weight to shield her, rubbing her back in a blatant display of favoritism.

I opened my mouth, but Dad cut me off. He cleared his throat, his voice carrying absolute authority. "Your brother was wrong to do this without asking you first."

He looked up, his cold gaze pinning me down. "But your reaction is completely out of line, Hannah.

"We don't air our dirty laundry in public. Whatever issues we have, we settle them behind closed doors.

"Did you really have to embarrass your brother, and all of us, in front of the guests?"

Mom quickly jumped in. "We know you feel wronged, sweetheart.

"But you need to look at the bigger picture. You know how emotionally fragile Stella is.

"Your brother panicked. His methods were wrong, but his heart was in the right place. He just didn't want the family to fall apart.

"You're the older sister. You need to be more understanding and shoulder some of the weight."

She walked over and reached for my hand, but I quietly stepped back.

Her hand hung awkwardly in the air before she let out a dramatic, choked sob. "Hannah, I know you're upset. I know how hard you worked for that portfolio. Mom understands."

She dabbed at a completely dry eye before shifting gears entirely. "But you have to think about your brother, too. He's under so much pressure."