Chapter 1

I was the only daughter of Riverdale's richest family. My whole life, I'd lived by one rule—put up with everything and be nice to everyone.

Before my parents left the country for business, they dragged my cousin Emily Turner up from the middle of nowhere so I wouldn't be alone.

Ever since, I'd been less lonely—and way more miserable.

Emily acted like she owned the place. My friends stabbed me in the back, and my boyfriend dumped me for someone else.

On my birthday, I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed a handful of pills, ready to end it all.

But the second I swallowed them, an alarm blared in my head.

The next moment, my body moved on its own—running to the bathroom, fingers down my throat.

Hanging over the toilet, throwing up, I choked out, "Who... who are you?"

A robotic voice echoed in my mind. "I am your guardian."

*****

Guardian? My parents were overseas doing business.

I shook my head to clear it. Was I losing it? Had life finally broken me?

That thought shattered me. I started crying for real. Me, Olivia Sterling, always the good girl, always nice... and now this.

Before I could even catch my breath, my body moved again—covering my mouth, forcing me to swallow my sobs.

The voice said, "Stop crying. Deal with your problems head-on."

Still gripping the toilet, I stood up, cleaned myself at the sink, and walked out toward the stairs.

Fear replaced sadness. "Wait, are you like... another personality? Did you take over my body?"

My body made an annoyed "tsk" sound.

The voice said, "Call me Penny. Your parents think you're a total pushover, so they paid me a fortune to toughen you up."

Sensing her impatience, I quickly apologized, "Sorry, I overreacted. It's just... I'm new to this whole insanity thing."

Penny sighed, "You're not insane. You're just way too nice—and honestly, a complete pushover."

Since when did being kind make me a pushover?

Tears streamed down my face. Life must've really cracked me.

Penny walked downstairs, looking around to get her bearings.

The dining room was bright, and there sat Emily at the head of the table with a steak and wine in front of her.

"This steak is overcooked. Are you trying to mess with me?" Emily demanded, tapping her fork sharply against her plate.

John, the chef, stood nearby looking nervous.

"Sorry, Ms. Turner. I'll make you a new one right away."

"Don't bother. You've killed my appetite."

Emily threw her napkin on the table. "No bonus this month. Maybe that'll teach you a lesson."

Seeing the dark cloud over her, I froze in the doorway, too scared to go in.

Usually, I'd just leave quietly, or maybe stick up for the staff.

But this time, my body walked forward on its own.

Penny marched right up to the table and frowned after a quick scan. "Where's my dinner?"

John wiped sweat from his forehead. "Um, Ms. Sterling, Ms. Turner said you weren't eating tonight."

Emily sipped her wine elegantly, smiling, "Olivia, only a dog guards its food like that. Are you that desperate?"

She deliberately raised her voice. "And look at your waist—it's even wider than my thighs."

A few young maids covered their mouths, giggling.

An instinct to smile along and offer an apology flashed through me—I hadn't eaten all night for my birthday date.

I'd made the reservation two weeks ago, so excited for tonight.

But after waiting three hours, all I got was a call from my boyfriend, Nathaniel Carter.

He said he was helping Emily with some school project and told me not to bother him.

Since Emily moved in, she'd been the center of everything.

And as her older cousin, I knew I shouldn't be bothered by this.

I sighed, "Penny, let's just go. If you're hungry, I'll order delivery."

But before I knew it, a cold smirk crossed my face.

"Penny, stop!" I begged in my head—but it was too late.