Chapter 1

At my engagement party to Luke, the fake heiress Chloe tried to kill herself again. That was the last straw. I set the banquet hall on fire and vanished.

Five years later, my family caught my interview on television.

My older brother Daniel's call came through. "Anya, you're alive!"

I didn't answer. As I was about to hang up, Daniel scoffed.

"Grandma's funeral is next week. Come if you care."

After the call, my husband Ryan came in with our daughter. "I'll take Lily to camp. You should go. Your grandmother always loved you so much."

I nodded.

Five years.

It was time to go back and collect every last debt.

Five years changed nothing. The estate stood just as I remembered.

"Where is Grandma buried?" I asked Daniel.

Daniel replied. "Just come inside."

I lowered my gaze and followed him in.

Daniel was seated on the sofa. A faint smile touched his lips as I finally entered.

He raised a hand, pushing a glass of lemon tea towards me.

"Came straight through the night? Still get airsick, I guess."

For a moment, I was lost. I remembered him years ago, bringing me from our small town to the city-my first flight, my first bout of sickness. I could still see his frown as he fixed that same lemon tea.

But later, because of Chloe, everything between us froze solid.

I snapped back, pushing the lemon water away.

"Thanks, I don't need it."

I stated calmly, "I don't get airsick anymore, and I don't like this either."

These past few years, I'd been busy building my career, constantly flying all over the world.

Daniel's pupils constricted abruptly. After a long moment, he simply uttered a low "Hm."

Silence filled the room.

I broke it first.

"If you haven't decided where to lay Grandma to rest, Daniel, then let's not waste each other's time."

Seeing me rise to leave, Daniel stood up abruptly.

"Anya, you-"

"Is big brother back?"

A girlish laugh, sweet as syrup, cut through his words from the direction of the garden.

It was Chloe, the fake heir.