Chapter 1

On the day I was back with the Fisher family, I had just stepped through the door and hadn't even spoken yet when a five- or six-year-old boy suddenly rushed in.

The little boy, Alex, claimed to be my son, saying I'd had him out of wedlock with some guy, and then abused him.

Alex sobbed, "Grandma, Mom says she's the real heiress and wants to come back to enjoy all the wealth and luxury.

"I'm just her shame, her burden. I don't deserve to come with her.

"But I really want to see you all. Even if Mom beats me to death, I'll accept it."

As he spoke, he peeked at me nervously.

Daniel Fisher, the eldest son of the Fisher family, frowned in disgust. "How shameless. You're a disgrace to our family!"

Kyla Fisher, the fake heiress, put on a show of sympathy. "Daniel, don't blame Jayda. She just made a mistake. The kid is innocent."

Hearing that, Alex took out a photo of us together, looking close and affectionate.

He held my hand, his gaze lingering on me. "Mom, I'll go.

"From now on, I'll disappear. I'll keep surviving on garbage. I swear I won't ruin your reputation with the Fisher family!"

I turned my head at him and couldn't help but laugh.

I never said I was the real heiress who got switched at birth.

*****

Alex stood up, wobbling as he made his way out.

Helen Fisher, my mother, snapped out of her shock. "Wait a second!"

Getting worked up, her voice rose, and Alex instantly covered his head, crouched down, and started trembling all over.

His lips quivered as he spoke. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry... I won't dare do it again. Mom, please don't hit me!

"I'm a bastard. I will slap himself until you're happy, Mom."

As he said that, he raised his hand to slap himself, but Daniel grabbed his arm and stopped him.

Daniel's face turned grim, his voice full of disbelief. "Did you just call yourself a bastard?

"Who in their right mind would call someone that?"

Alex peeked at me timidly and then quickly dropped his head, clearly terrified.

Helen crouched down, reaching out tentatively to gently touch his head. "Good boy, don't be scared. Just say whatever you want to say."

Alex instantly looked up at Helen with teary eyes. "Grandma, you're so kind. Mom never talked to me this nicely...

"After she had me, my dad walked out on us, so Mom's always resented me.

"She called me a bastard so I'd always remember I was just a child without a father.

"Before I turned three, Mom used to chain me like a dog and made me eat from a dog bowl.

"One day, the neighbor lady couldn't take it anymore and said she'd call the police for child abuse, and Mom finally let me come inside..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Fisher family all turned to stare at me.

Daniel pointed at me, furious. "Jayda, do you even have a heart?

"He's your son!

"You couldn't keep yourself in check, had no shame, went and had a kid with some stranger, and now, you take out all your anger on him!

"You don't even deserve to be part of the Fisher family!"

Helen shook her head, disappointment written all over her face as she looked at me. "If you can be so heartless to your own son, how could you ever show any real affection for us?

"It seems Alex was right. You're just greedy for the Fisher family's riches, wanting to enjoy the good life here without ever earning it!"

Kyla, who hadn't said a word until then, quickly reached out and gently rubbed Helen's back.

She said softly, "Mom, your health isn't great. Please don't get upset!

"I believe Jayda must have her reasons. If you feel wronged, Jayda, just talk to Mom and let her know what's really going on.

"Did someone... force you into this?"

I didn't respond to Kyla. Instead, I glanced at Alex and noticed a triumphant glint in his eyes.

When he noticed me looking his way, he immediately started trembling again. His voice was timid as he said, "Mom, don't worry.

"I promise I won't tell Grandma that you want to kick out the adopted daughter and take over everything in the Fisher family!

"You even said that fake heiress stole your life, and once she's out of here, you're going to have a bunch of men ruin her and make her suffer all kinds of humiliation!"

After saying that, he quickly covered his mouth, pretending to regret it as he whispered under his breath, "Mom, I'm sorry... I shouldn't have let that slip..."

I smirked at him. "You really didn't miss a single thing you wanted to say, did you?

"Hey, kid, didn't anyone ever tell you? Liars get punished. They might end up mute for life."