Chapter 19
In my past life, I was literally dumpster diving for scraps when Manhattan’s richest billionaire found me and claimed me as his long lost daughter.
But the second I walked through those marble doors, the fake heiress who’d been living my life for years put on her best victim act, turning to our parents with those crocodile tears:
“Mommy, Daddy… now that my sister’s home, I guess I should pack my bags, right p>
I watched my so called parents‘ faces scrunch up with worry–not for me, but for HER.
Well, two can play this game.
Without missing a beat, I threw myself down on my knees right there in the foyer, clasping my hands together like I was begging for my life.
“Mom, Dad, if you don’t want me here, I’ll just go back to the streets where I belong p>
Game on, Charlotte.
In my previous life, you played the sweet, fragile little princess card to perfection. You stole my identity, my family’s love, and left me to literally starve to death in some back alley!
But this time?
I’m going to push you out of the Sterling family so hard you’ll get whiplash! Every single thing you conned your way into–the trust fund, the social status, the designer life–I’m taking it all back!
You think you’re the queen of manipulation?
Let’s see whose acting skills can really make them hand over the family fortune on a silver platter!
My first day back in the Sterling mansion felt like walking through a fever dream–everything familiar yet completely wrong at the same time. This content belongs to Fip>
Dad flashed me a smile, “So, sweetheart, see any room you like? Your pick p>
I nodded and walked straight to the corner study. “I want this one p>
In my past life, Charlotte had claimed the two best rooms on the second floor:
Her bedroom and her study.
And me? I gave up and got stuck in a storage closet because I wanted to “keep the peace p>
Right on cue, Dad’s smile got all stiff and awkward. “Oh, honey… maybe pick a different room? That’s Charlotte’s study p>
In my past life, I would’ve caved immediately. But this time? I’m done being everyone’s doormat!
So I dropped my gaze to the floor, letting my voice get all small and hurt. “Oh… sorry, Dad. I thought when you said I could pick any room, you actually
meant it p>
Hearing this, Charlotte materialized out of nowhere, already working up those crocodile tears.
“Why would you say that, Sophia?” Her voice was doing that little trembling thing that always made the family melt. “If you really want it, I’ll move out. I mean, I’ve already taken so much that should’ve been yours anyway p>
Oscar–worthy performance as always, sis.
My brother Marcus immediately went into full protective mode, looking at Charlotte like she was some wounded bird, then turned to me with barely disguised annoyance. “Come on, Sophia. There are like fifteen other rooms in this house. Why do you have to take Charlotte’s study p>
Chapter 1
Mom jumped in with her fake concerned voice. “Charlotte’s in her senior year at Columbia, sweetie. She needs a quiet space for her thesis. Why don’t you settle into one of the guest rooms for now p>
I put on my best understanding big sister act and nodded. “Of course, that’s totally fine p>
Then I dropped the guilt bomb.
“I’m just happy to have somewhere warm to sleep, you know? Back on the streets, I used to curl up behind dumpsters when it rained p>
The silence that followed was brutal.
Everyone just stared at me in shock, and Dad’s guilt written all over his face. He immediately whipped around to the nearest housekeeper.
“Clear out Charlotte’s study right now–get everything moved tonight. Whatever Sophia wants for the room setup, make it happen p>
He then turned back to me. “Baby girl, from now on, everything in this house belongs to you too! If anything’s not comfortable, you just tell the staff, okay p>
I nodded sweetly, playing the perfect grateful daughter.
The others looked like they’d been slapped, and there wasn’t a damn thing they could say about it.
Especially Charlotte’s face was priceless–like she’d just swallowed a bug or something.
The pure venom in her eyes when she looked at me was almost impressive.
But honestly? I couldn’t care less.
I just walked into what was about to become my study.
Last time around, I bent over backward trying to fit in with this family. I kept my mouth shut, never caused trouble, always gave in when there was conflict–thinking if I just stayed grateful and invisible, they’d eventually accept me as one of their own.
But all that got me was getting completely screwed over and thrown away like trash.
This time, I’m taking back every single thing that belongs to me!
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.