Chapter 1

After I returned to the Hughes family as their real daughter, my parents made me sleep in the storage room and eat leftovers.

Meanwhile, they felt guilty about Anna Hughes, the fake heiress.

So when the government rolled out the Equal Treatment System for Children, they hurried to enroll everyone.

Dad let out a long, relieved sigh.

"With this system in place, Anna won't face any more unfairness."

Mom gently took my hand, her voice firm and decisive.

"Since you came back, you've taken everything that was Anna's. It's not fair."

My brother Michael Hughes wore a scowl throughout.

"Anna's my only sister. You've already lucked out—don't push it."

I looked down at my bargain-bin clothes I'd worn for five years, then at Anna's princess suite and closet full of designer labels. The irony was almost funny.

Unexpectedly, once the system was activated, they completely lost it.

*****

After school, I trudged home in the blazing heat while Anna rode past in her private Maybach.

I pushed through the villa's front door, finally escaping the sun.

Dad slammed a stack of papers on the table.

"The government just launched the Equal Treatment System for Children. Get over here and sign."

I stood there, totally lost.

Michael shoved me forward.

"Drop the act! We've been generous enough. Anna's put up with you for years—don't push your luck!"

Mom took my hand, her tone earnest.

"Daisy, I know you were switched at birth and spent over ten years struggling in the countryside, but Anna's innocent in all this. Now that you're back, it's only fair we treat you both equally.

"To avoid favoritism and make sure Anna isn't hurt, this system is our best option."

Fair? Really?

I clenched my cheap shirt, the fabric sticking to my sweaty back, itchy and uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, Anna lounged in her breathable designer outfit, eating fruit the housekeeper had prepared, looking perfectly cool.

I couldn't help but ask, "Mom, do you really think you've been favoring me?"

Dad slammed his hand on the coffee table, pointing at me.

"Daisy, what are you talking about? Since you came back, we gave you everything that was Anna's. You're the Hughes heiress now. You attend an elite school and live in a mansion with staff at your service. If that's not favoritism, what is?

"Anna grew up with us—she's our precious daughter. Since you came, she's had to make sacrifices. The only way to be fair to her is to activate this system!"

A cup crashed to the floor. I lowered my head, barely holding back bitter laughter.

The day I returned to the Hughes family, I tried to win them over with handmade dolls for Michael and Anna.

But the moment Anna started crying, Michael shoved me aside, furious.

"This is your fault! Why'd you have to come and ruin our family?"

My parents rushed to comfort Anna while I stood there, awkward and out of place.

They said it was temporary and stuck me in the storage room.

They claimed Anna wasn't comfortable with me around, so I had to eat alone.

Classmates mocked my shabby clothes and country accent.

They always took Anna's side, tearing up my homework and dumping dirty water in my lunch.

When I went to my parents crying, they said I was making excuses for my bad grades.

They never bothered to show up for my parent-teacher meetings or ask my teachers about me—instead, they always made time for Anna's.

I knew I could never compete with Anna's bond with my parents. So I told myself to wait—maybe someday they'd actually love me.

But now they were calling all of this unfair to Anna?

I picked up the papers from the floor, the slogan on the cover practically jumping out at me.

[Equal Treatment System for Children—ensuring parents don't play favorites, so every child receives truly fair treatment.]

"Fine. I'll sign."

I'd stopped hoping for their affection.

The only reason I stayed was the in-state residency advantage for college admissions.

Once exams were over, I'd leave this family for good.