1 I was the true heiress, lost to the Sterling family, and on the day of my grand reintroduction. Willow Sterling tumbled down the grand staircase, weeping dramatically for all to see. "Sister," she choked out, tears streaming down her face, "I know you don't like me. I can leave, but how could you..." She looked back, her words catching in her throat, the "push" unsaid. It was only then she realized I wasn't behind her at all. Standing there was her brother, Henry Sterling. I was quicker, my eyes reddening first, my hand flying to my mouth. "Henry, how could you push your sister?" She looked back again, only to find me already standing at the bottom of the stairs. Her eyes widened in disbelief, as if silently asking, How are you here? The guests, seasoned socialites, instantly grasped the full picture. A ripple of amused disdain spread through the room as they watched Willow. Her face burned with humiliation; she was utterly mortified. Henry, ever the perfect brother, stepped in to smooth things over. "Willow, you're a grown woman. How can you still be so clumsy?" His voice was laced with doting affection, completely ignoring the fact that she had just tried to frame his own sister. And my supposed fiancé, Marcus Thorne, rushed towards her, his face a mask of concern. He helped her up, cradling her protectively in his arms. My biological parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling, also looked at her anxiously, asking if she was hurt. Even though her scheme had failed, watching her family dote on her, Willow shot me a triumphant, challenging glance, hidden from the public eye. Should I be hurt? laughable. So-called "blood ties" were worthless in my eyes. And what I truly wanted had never been "these." A single tear slipped from Willow's eye. "Sister," she said, feigning sincerity, "I'm so sorry, I ruined your reintroduction party." She expected me to explode, to lash out, to demand explanations hysterically. But I did none of that. My face etched with seemingly genuine concern, I stepped forward to help her. "It's okay, sister. I'm just glad you're alright." "Ah—" Willow suddenly shrieked. 2 "What's wrong, sister?" I asked innocently, my voice laced with feigned concern. This time, her tears were real. Tears of pain. Before she could utter a word, I exposed her pale arm to the assembled guests. A large, angry red welt marred its surface. "Oh, sister, you really are clumsy. You must have fallen and hurt yourself just now." She was furious and desperate, but utterly helpless against me. Mr. and Mrs. Sterling looked heartbroken, immediately whisking her off to the hospital. I was left alone to face the guests. I plastered a smile back on my face and graciously entertained everyone. I made a favorable impression on many wealthy families, earning myself a great deal of goodwill. It was an exhausting day, indeed. A few days prior, the Sterling family had approached me, claiming I was their daughter, accidentally switched at birth. If I hadn't subtly leaked some information, they never would have found me. The moment I arrived at the Sterling mansion, Willow had already packed her bags, feigning a dramatic departure. She cried with such heartfelt conviction, claiming she had taken over my rightful life and shouldn't remain. Every word she spoke implied I would resent her presence and treat her cruelly. The Sterling family looked at her with pity, comforting and coaxing her, while casting reproachful glances at me. I hadn't said a single word, yet they glared at me as if I were their enemy. It was utterly ridiculous. "Elara, we've raised Willow for so many years, and the Sterling family isn't short on money. It won't be a problem to have an extra person." Mr. Sterling didn't consult me; he simply decreed Willow's fate. They stared at me, their gazes threatening, as if my disagreement would mean I, not Willow, would be the one leaving the Sterling home today. I nodded, tacitly accepting. Perhaps they, too, felt their behavior was excessive. Mr. Sterling and Henry each handed me a bank card. Mrs. Sterling presented me with her jade bracelet. I accepted everything. A flicker of jealousy crossed Willow's eyes. Just after I'd finished showering, a knock came at the door. When I opened it, Mrs. Sterling stood there, her eyes filled with an undeniable guilt. "Elara, may I come in and sit for a moment?" I stepped aside, allowing her to pass. She slowly walked in, her gaze taking in the minimalist black and white decor of the room. They had brought me back without preparing a proper room, so I had been staying in a guest room. Mrs. Sterling's heart ached. On one hand, there was the daughter she had raised for twenty years—even caring for a pet creates affection, let alone a human. On the other hand, there was her biological daughter, whom she hadn't seen in twenty years, who had suffered so much, and had finally been found. She was unwilling to give up either; both were the flesh of her heart. She sat on a chair and took my hand, her eyes looking at me with a soft, maternal affection. "Elara, Mom has already had a room prepared for you these past few days. Mom is so sorry. I neglected your feelings." "It's okay, Mom. I'm fine living here." The more compliant and sensible I was, the guiltier she felt. Her eyes shimmered with tears. She sighed, her lips curving into a bitter smile. "Elara, Marcus Thorne and you were betrothed since childhood, but the person he loves now is Willow." I cut her off. "So, Mom, you think I would steal my sister's fiancé?" A pang of bitterness ran through me; after all, she was my mother. Her voice rose in haste. "It's not like that, Elara! Mom just meant... Mom can find you a better match. Or, if there's someone you like, Mom will respect your choice." I turned my head away, my voice muffled. "I understand, Mom. And I won't fall in love with a stranger I've never met." She tried to say more, but I told her I needed to rest. She bid me goodnight and left. Elara Vance, you cannot let so-called false kinship blind you. You have more important things to do. [How's life at the Sterling's?] [It's okay. Just walking the dog every day.] [Need my help? The kind where you bat your eyelashes and I'll give you my life?] [No thanks. I've got enough strength and tricks of my own.] [Alright, whatever you say, darling.] [Lysander Hayes, who are you calling darling?] ...After indulging in some banter with my boyfriend, I fell asleep.
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