Chapter 1
Chapter 1
When the embassy called for evacuations, my parents only took two people.
My brother.
And the fake heiress.
Of course they’d save their real son–no brainer there.
And their spoiled little princess who’d never known hardship? She couldn’t possibly handle real danger.
But me? I got the consolation prize speech:
“Come on, you’ve been through worse. You’re tough–you can handle this.”
“We’ll be back for you once everyone’s safe, promise.”
That promise kept me stranded in a war zone for weeks.
Until a stray bullet found my chest-
What did I get instead of rescue? A glowing press release about their fake daughter’s birthday bash.
Got a do–over? Hell yes. This time I’m catching the first smuggler’s boat out.
Now I’m all–in on MY future. Done crawling for their leftover love.
When I got home, Rayna Mitchell’s massive eighteenth birthday bash was still in full swing.
Media from around the world had been invited to document the spectacular ceremony for the Mitchell family’s little princess.
When the cameras caught me, all the praise stopped dead.
Because my torn, dirty clothes and grimy appearance clashed horribly with the grand scene.
The man standing beside Rayna saw me and froze.
That was my biological brother, Jaxon Mitchell.
I thought he’d finally remembered he had a sister in some foreign hellhole.
Instead, he frowned and shoved me out of frame, where the cameras couldn’t see:
‘Who said you could come back? Looking like a total mess–you trying to ruin Rayna’s party on PURPOSE?”
Rayna smiled and stepped forward:
‘It’s fine. Since my sister’s back… Oh GOD, sis, where have you been? You REEK!”
10-13
P
Chapter 1
With that, she wrinkled her nose in disgust.
Jaxon immediately pulled her into his arms, glaring at me with contempt:
“We just had you experience some culture shock overseas for a while–did you really have to screw Rayna over like this?!”
Mom and Dad approached, clearly annoyed:
“Today’s Rayna’s big day–do you have ANY idea how long she’s been waiting for this?!”
I didn’t say anything.
They must’ve forgotten–if I could switch places with Rayna Mitchell, it meant we shared the same damn birthday.
And I’d gotten back by stowing away in shipping containers, crammed together with all kinds of people. Of course I reeked of sweat and desperation.
So I bowed and didn’t answer a single question. Just turned and headed into the mansion.
My cold attitude seemed to hit them like punching a brick wall. My brother, who was used to me bending over backwards for him, grabbed my arm:
“We’re just calling out your bullshit–what’s with the bratty attitude?
“Don’t think we’re idiots. That country just LOOKED like a warzone. Nothing was gonna happen. You could’ve stayed there another damn year and been perfectly fine!”
The memory of shrapnel tearing through my heart in my past life suddenly flooded my nerves.
I instinctively clutched my chest.
Mom and Dad frowned:
“Enough with the act! Stop being so dramatic!”
“Yes.” I nodded softly.
They froze.
I turned to face them and bowed deeply:
“You’re right. It’s my fault for coming back from a war zone and disrupting my sister’s party. My fault for looking so pathetic after being displaced.
“I know I messed up. Let me go change.”
I was never this compliant before.
In the past, even when they blamed me, I’d cry and try to defend myself.
After I walked away, I heard Mom’s angry voice:
“What’s her deal? She’s copping an attitude with us now?”
10:13
My Family Loft Me for Dend Now My Vongoful Husband to Their cro
Chapter 1
“Forget it, honey. Rayna’s party is what matters. I’ll have someone watch her, make sure she doesn’t come out and bring bad luck to Rayna.”
I stopped on the stairs.
Gripping the banister, I kept walking.
After my shower, I opened up Harvard’s website.
Seeing my application had been accepted, I let out a huge sigh of relief.
Before, I’d been torn–if I got in, how could I stay with my family?
Now I wasn’t conflicted anymore.
But I faced one major problem-
Money.
Even though I lived in a household that owned a Fortune 500 company, I only ever got Rayna Mitchell’s table scraps.
Though to be fair, those scraps were more than someone like me deserved for a lifetime.
I counted my savings and realized I was five thousand short.
So after their party ended, I presented them with an IOU, neat and formal.
“Five thousand dollars?”
Mom and Dad frowned. “What do you need that much cash for?”
“I’m eighteen now. I wanna see what’s out there. I’m borrowing this from you guys–I can pay double whatever the bank charges.”
“Your job right now isn’t partying, it’s making sure you get into SOME college.”
Dad tore up the IOU piece by piece:
“Rayna’s already got early admission to University of Texas. Of course she can mess around. You? Getting you back wasn’t so you could embarrass us.
“I’ve already found you a tutoring program. You’ll stay there until the SATs.”
I glanced at the business card.
Not long ago, that place had been exposed for tutors assaulting and beating female students.
“I know it’s tough, but you’re mediocre at best. You might not even get into community college. We don’t have a choice.”
Dad frowned at me, then looked at Rayna beside him, his eyes instantly lighting up:
“Rayna, forget UT. Dad’s found you something better.”
With that, he handed Rayna an invitation.
10-13
My Family‘ Left Me for Dead. Now My Vengeful Husband Is Their CEO.
7.1%
Chapter 1
It was for a gala celebrating a five hundred million dollar donation to an Ivy League school.
“This five hundred million was donated in your name.”
“You’re grown up now. Time to learn about managing family business.”
“You’ll study at the Ivy League. This family’s future depends on you and your brother.”
Rayna covered her mouth in shock. “Dad, can I… can I really do this?”
‘Of course you can.”
Jaxon put his arm around her shoulders. “I’ll be there too. If you have any problems, your brother’s got your back.”
Then the four of them hugged in perfect harmony.
Only me, their biological daughter, stood there like an outsider, watching their happiness.
The tutoring program’s business card made a harsh tearing sound.
They looked up startled as I tore the card to shreds and threw it onto the pile of IOU fragments.
‘HARPER! What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
[ bowed slightly:
‘I wouldn’t dare accept charity from the Mitchell family. I’ll figure things out myself.”
Ignoring their fury, I turned and went back to my room.
at same day, I packed up and left the mansion.
10:13
