Chapter 1

When I was five, Mom brought home a girl my age.

I tried to say hi, but she just ignored me. That made me mad, so I pushed her.

The next second, Mom slapped me hard across the face.

"If you ever lay a hand on my daughter again, I'll throw you out of the Lambert family right now!" Mom shouted.

She announced in front of everyone that Rita was the only heiress of the Lambert family.

From that day on, I went from being Mom's precious little girl to just a weed in the Lambert family.

Later, I overheard the servants whispering that I was a bastard. Dad had been set up by a woman, and then I was born.

They said Mom's real child had been swapped by some bad people, and now they'd finally found her.

Neither Mom nor Dad wanted me.

To make them happy, I went along with what my real mother said and died.

But Mom, Dad, why were they crying?

*****

My dad was the head of the Lambert family in Groford, and my mom was an internationally acclaimed designer.

I was the fruit of their love, and from the moment I was born, I was the apple of their eye.

Everything changed on my fifth birthday, when Mom brought home a girl my age and introduced her as my sister.

Everyone was gathered around me, waiting for me to cut the first slice of cake.

But I shook my head, my eyes fixed on the door.

Mom wasn't back yet. How could my birthday be complete without her?

I lifted my princess dress and ran straight into Mom's arms, grinning from ear to ear.

But Mom didn't scoop me up and shower me with kisses like she always did, or call me her little sweetheart.

I didn't really think about it, just turned curiously to check out the little girl beside me, dressed in shabby clothes.

Her eyes were huge, just like Mom's. And her nose was straight and tall, just like Dad's.

I wanted to be friends with her.

"I'm Keira Lambert. What's your name?" I asked.

But she just stood there, not saying a word, like she didn't even hear me.

"What's your name?" I asked again, a little louder.

She still ignored me.

I was getting annoyed. Nobody at home ever dared to treat me like this.

I gave her a shove. "Why are you acting like I'm not even here?"

Suddenly, my face whipped to the side, stinging like crazy.

I covered my face, tears streaming down and ruining the princess dress Mom had made for me.

I felt even more upset and was just about to look up and call out for Mom.

Then I saw it. It was Mom who hit me. She was protecting that girl behind her, like I was a scary monster from a cartoon show.

"If you ever lay a hand on my daughter again, I'll throw you out of the Lambert family right now!" Mom's voice was shrill and harsh.

I was stunned. Just yesterday, Mom gently held me and told me I was her favorite little girl. How could Mom change so suddenly?

I felt a wave of fear and barely managed to whisper, "Mom..."

But she shoved me away, rough and cold.

She glared at me and spat, "Don't call me Mom! Just seeing you makes me sick!"

Then she carefully took that girl by the hand and led her to the seat of honor, the one that used to be mine.

"Everyone, this is my daughter, the only heiress of the Lambert family, Rita Lambert," Mom announced.

Mom picked up the cake knife and placed it in Rita's hand, showing her how to cut it. Her voice suddenly turned soft and gentle. "Today is your birthday. You get to cut the first slice."

Rita nodded sweetly and cut the first slice. It felt like the cake and my heart were split in two.

People in the crowd started whispering. Someone asked, "Mrs. Lambert, is this your other daughter?"

Mom pulled Rita close, her voice echoing through the hall. "I only have one daughter, Rita Lambert."

"And what about Miss Keira Lambert?" someone else chimed in.

Mom's eyes swept over me, flashing with disgust. "She's not my daughter."

Wait, I wasn't Mom's daughter? I started bawling, shaking my head desperately. "I am! I'm your daughter, Mom!" I cried out.

Mom snapped, "Take her away and lock her up. She's driving me crazy with all that noise. Today is Rita's birthday. I don't want any troublemakers ruining it."

I fought back, flailing my arms and desperately trying to reach Mom.

"Wait," Mom suddenly called out to stop the butler.

I stopped crying, thinking Mom must have remembered I was her precious little girl.

But her next words crushed me completely.

"Take off her dress. She's not worthy of wearing anything I made," Mom said coldly.

"No, Mom!" I sobbed, desperately begging her not to do it.

But the grown-ups were so much stronger. I couldn't do anything to stop them.

My favorite princess dress was ripped apart, torn right off my body.

I was left exposed, with a crowd of people staring at me, their eyes burning into my skin.

Mom always told me girls should never let anyone see their private parts. So why was she letting everyone stare at me like this? Why?

I was tossed into the storage room, and the door slammed shut behind me. The party outside went right on, like I never existed.

I pounded on the door, crying my heart out.

I thought if Mom and Dad heard me crying, they'd come and comfort me like they always did.

But even after I cried myself hoarse, that big door never opened.

I had no idea how long I was locked in there, cold and terrified, before I blacked out.

The next morning, the cleaning lady found me.

She touched my forehead and exclaimed, "Oh no, you're burning up!"

She hurried to get me some clothes and made me take some medicine.