Chapter 3

After moving to the city, Andrew and Sophia enrolled me in a new school.

Within two weeks, I was already settled into my new school life.

So, I asked Andrew and Sophia if I could go back to the orphanage for a visit over the weekend.

Andrew and Sophia shared a look. Seeing that I hadn't forgotten the orphanage even after leaving, they thought I was a grateful kid and agreed right away.

That very day, they loaded me up with snacks, toys, and other stuff to take to the kids at the orphanage.

I didn't want to make a big deal out of it, so I called Olivia on the way and asked the driver to take the back way in.

I left the designer pieces Andrew and Sophia had bought me in the closet and pulled on a casual tracksuit—just a few-hundred-dollar one.

I wasn't out to turn heads, but I wasn't pretending I wasn't living well, either.

Olivia's smile told me she was genuinely happy to see me. She asked about my new school, and when she heard I was settling in, the worry in her eyes quietly melted away.

As we wrapped up, Olivia hesitated before saying, "I don't know what's gotten into Emily. She never used to hang out with boys, but ever since you left, she's basically glued to Ryan—won't leave his side for a second."

Olivia didn't know the reason, but I did.

It was clear that this time around, Emily was chasing her wealthy-prince fantasy with Ryan. I couldn't care less.

I told Olivia I was just going to wander around for a bit, then headed to the big tree in the backyard. Sure enough, a boy was sitting there, totally absorbed in a book.

I accidentally stepped on a twig, snapping it.

The sound caught the boy's attention, and he turned to look at me.

I apologized right away, "Sorry, didn't mean to bother you."

The boy hesitated for a second, then got up from where he was sitting and started to walk away.

But I quickly blocked his path and handed him three books. I said, "I think these are just what you need right now."

He glanced at the titles and gave me a surprised look.

His name was Max, also an orphan. We'd lived at the orphanage together for three years, but never said a single word to each other.

Still, I'd seen him here reading so many times.

People said kids from poor families grew up fast, but honestly, we had it even rougher than most.

For us orphans, from the moment we could figure things out, we knew hitting the books was our only shot at a better life.

Every single kid here worked their butt off.

But the truth was, hardly any of us ever managed to actually change our lives just by studying.

Max was one of the rare kids who actually had a real chance at changing his fate. In my previous life, his grades were stellar, and everyone thought he was headed for something big.

But right after he crushed the SATs and scored a top result, he ended his own life by jumping off a building.

None of us realized until it was too late, but all those years he'd been ruthlessly bullied at school, and it left him battling deep depression.

He'd thought getting into college would finally set him free from the torment, but the day he got his acceptance letter, those bullies trapped him in an alley all over again.

They tore his acceptance letter to shreds—and that was what finally broke him, the last straw he just couldn't bear.

Max finally spoke to me for the first time in three years. He asked, "Why?"

I smiled and handed the books to him.

Looking right into Max's puzzled eyes, I said, "These books aren't free, you know. You have to study hard and promise you'll make it up to me one day. Deal?"

Max was just fifteen at the time, way too young to really get what I meant.

I didn't bother explaining further. I just gave him another smile and said, "Read them well. I'll bring you new ones in half a month."

For the next three months, I stuck to my word. Every couple of weeks, I'd swing by and drop off a new stack of books for Max.

Sometimes, I'd randomly quiz him on stuff from the books, just to make sure he was actually reading them.

Max had no idea what I was up to at first.

But after three months, he'd gotten used to it—and whenever he looked at me, he actually seemed grateful.

Max looked at me, his gaze steady. "Don't worry, I'll study hard and someday, I'll find a way to repay you," he said.

I looked at the determination in his eyes, feeling a surge of pride. But I didn't miss the fresh cuts on his arm, barely visible under his sleeve.

I realized that giving him books wasn't enough. I needed to tackle the real issue.

I went straight to Blake, the infamous school bully. I didn't beat around the bush. I said, "I've got a friend I want you to protect. How much do you want?"

I was only sixteen at the time. Sure, I'd put on a little weight since moving in with the Shaw family, but I was still pretty small and skinny.

Blake clearly hadn't met a girl as gutsy as me before. He gave me a once-over, then burst out laughing.

He said, "You've got some nerve, coming here all by yourself. Aren't you scared I might—"

As Blake's hand shot out toward my face, I quickly stepped back, dodging him.

My eyes stayed sharp and guarded, but I didn't flinch. I glanced at Blake's lackeys, then asked, "Mind if we talk alone?"