Chapter 1
After studying abroad for five years, I came back home.
My family threw a big welcome party for me, but it ended up turning into a full-on attack on me.
Nina Foster, my adopted sister, burst into tears and threw herself into my brother's arms. Then, right in front of everyone, she slapped me hard across the face.
"You stole my limited edition bracelet!" she cried.
My mom, Helen Foster, hugged her tightly, her voice full of concern. "Sweetie, don't cry. I'll buy you ten more."
My brother, James Foster, shot me a cold look. "Apologize to Nina, or get out."
Even my childhood friend, Andrew Reed, leaned in and whispered, "Just let it go. She's their favorite, after all."
I let out a laugh.
I pulled out the inheritance papers and slapped them down in front of them.
"Just so you know, every cent you spent these past five years came straight from my pocket," I said.
*****
The table was a mess, dishes and glasses scattered everywhere, and the atmosphere was icy.
The crystal chandelier cast shadows, leaving faces in the dark.
A sharp slap cracked across my left cheek.
The pain flared up, hot and sharp.
I was knocked sideways, my ears ringing.
Nina was sobbing her heart out, throwing herself into James' arms.
She held up her bare wrist, her voice choked with tears, but there was a hint of barely concealed triumph in her eyes.
"Charlotte, why did you steal my bracelet?" she wailed. "It was a birthday present from my boyfriend. There's only one like it in the whole world!"
James pulled Nina close, giving me a look like I was nothing but trash.
"Charlotte, you just got back, and you're already causing trouble. Did you forget how to behave?" he sneered.
My mom quickly grabbed a tissue and wiped away Nina's tears, fussing over her.
She said, "Sweetie, don't cry. It's just a bracelet. I'll buy you ten more exactly like it tomorrow."
She didn't even look at me, like I was some outsider.
I pressed my hand to my cheek, my tongue pushing against the numb inside. The metallic taste of blood lingered in my mouth.
I'd been gone for five whole years, and today was my first day back.
This was their idea of a welcome home party.
Nina was still sobbing her heart out, her performance so convincing that she could win an Oscar.
"None of you ever gave her any money. She was barely getting by overseas. How could she possibly afford the real thing?" she cried.
"She must have thought my bracelet looked nice and snatched it when no one was watching!"
Her words were loaded with meaning. She was calling me poor and implying I was a thief.
James' face turned even colder.
He stared me down, his voice brooking no argument. "Apologize to Nina, and hand her bracelet back. Then that's the end of it."
I stared at this happy little family act, and out of nowhere, I laughed.
My laugh was quiet, but it cut right through their pretend harmony like a needle.
"If I said I didn't take it, would you even believe me?" I asked.
Nina trembled in James' arms, her sobs growing even louder.
"James, see? She still won't admit it!" Nina wailed.
My mom finally looked at me, her eyes full of disappointment and impatience.
"Charlotte, why are you acting like this?" she sighed. "Weren't you always the sensible one? Apologize to Nina. Don't put your dad in a tough spot."
In the corner, my father, Richard Foster, who'd been silent all night, finally spoke up, his face cold and stern.
"Apologize," he ordered.
Those two words were like a judge passing sentence.
Even Andrew leaned in and whispered to me, "Just let it go. She's their favorite, after all."
"Trust me, going up against her is asking for trouble."
He was such a wonderful childhood friend.
I glanced around the room—Nina's scheming, James' cold indifference, Helen's obvious favoritism, Richard's stern authority, and Andrew's so-called "helpful advice."
Well, this family really was united.
The smile on my lips kept growing. They probably thought I was going crazy.
"Apologize?" I echoed, drawing out the word.
I locked eyes with James, speaking each word clearly, "Or maybe I should kick all of you out instead?"