Chapter 1

The moment I stepped foot into my biological family's mansion—freshly reclaimed as their long-lost daughter—the fake heiress, Holly Cannon, flung herself into my parents' arms, sobbing.

"Mom, Dad, please don't make me call her sister. I just can't. She's the transfer student who's been spreading rumors about me at school. She's the reason I have depression now!" Holly cried.

Mom wrapped her arms around Holly, cooing soothing words.

Dad's face darkened with fury. He looked at me, his real daughter, with nothing but disappointment.

Then he said, "I never thought a few years lost would turn you into this kind of person. Zion! Throw her out! We don't have a daughter who bullies people."

I stood there, utterly bewildered. My hands flew through the air, signing so fast that it looked like I was performing some sacred ritual.

"I spread rumors about her? But I was mute," I signed.

*****

I stood in the entryway, the chill from outside still lingering on my fingertips.

Holly Cannon was sobbing uncontrollably in my parents' arms; she could barely catch her breath.

She buried her face in Mom's neck, her shoulders shaking hard. When she finally looked up, her eyes were red and swollen.

Holly choked out, "Dad, Mom, you have no idea.

"After I got second place in the last monthly exam, she went around telling everyone I cheated, that my dad bribed the teachers, and even that I did something shady with the dean in his office just to get a recommendation..."

With every word Holly said, Mom's hand on her back grew heavier, and Dad's frown only deepened.

I opened my mouth, but could only manage a few broken, breathy sounds.

I'd been unable to speak for as long as I could remember. Doctors said my vocal cords were damaged.

I'd long since gotten used to using sign language and jotting things down to communicate.

I lifted my hand, about to sign "not true," when my brother Alfie Cannon suddenly shot up from the couch.

He strode over and loomed over me, his contempt practically dripping from his gaze.

"Yasmin, how long are you going to keep pretending? Holly's already been pushed into depression by you, and you're still trying to deny it?" Alfie snapped.

I froze, my fingers stalled mid-sign.

Alfie was the Cannon family's only son, and ever since I walked in, he'd been shielding Holly, his eyes full of tenderness for her.

But when he looked at me, it was like I was some kind of dirt beneath his shoes.

"Alfie, don't say that about Yasmin..." Holly said softly, tugging at the corner of his shirt.

Her voice was soft, but every word felt like a knife twisting in my heart.

"Maybe Yasmin just wants to fit in so badly that she's trying to get attention this way. I don't blame her, really, I don't..." Holly said.

"You're just too kind!" Holly said, and Mom immediately hugged her even tighter.

When Mom turned to look at me, her eyes were icy cold.

"Yasmin, we brought you back so you could feel what it's like to have a real family—not so you could come here and bully Holly! Can't you drop all those sneaky tricks you picked up outside?" Mom snapped.

Dad let out a heavy snort, his knuckles hitting the coffee table with a dull thud.

"My daughter, even if she's been away, should still act like a real lady. But you? The moment you walked in, you started stirring up trouble and picking on Holly. You've completely disgraced the Cannon family!" Dad barked.

The servants nearby huddled together, whispering among themselves, their contempt for me written all over their faces.

"I heard she was just some wild child from the sticks. Who would've thought she'd be so vicious?" one of them whispered.

"Holly is so gentle. How could anyone have the heart to bully her?" another chimed in.

"Look at her, still signing like she's really mute or something. She's probably just playing dumb to get sympathy," a third servant sneered.

Their words felt like tiny needles stabbing into my ears, making them throb with pain.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep it together, and reached for the side compartment of my backpack.

Inside was the notebook I brought from school—my way to explain what really went down.

But before I could even grab the zipper, Alfie clamped down hard on my wrist.

He was so strong that his knuckles were practically digging into my flesh.

"What are you trying to pull now? Still trying to trick us?" Alfie spat.

I struggled, reaching into my backpack with my other hand, and finally managed to grab my stack of notes.

But before I could even open it, Alfie snatched it away. With both hands, he tore the papers apart, sending a flurry of scraps flying everywhere.

Bits of paper landed in my hair as I stared at him, numb with shock. Whatever warmth I had left inside me froze solid.

Right on cue, Holly let out a soft sob, burying her face even deeper in Mom's arms.

"Alfie, don't be like this. Yasmin, she just..." Holly murmured.

Alfie cut her off, his eyes blazing with fury.