I’m the kind of person who forgets where they came from the second they lay eyes on a dollar sign. The moment I found out I was a long-lost heiress to a fortune, I scrubbed my phone of all the discount shopping apps and unceremoniously dumped the broke "boy toy" I’d been keeping on a budget. He actually pulled out a fistful of crumpled, expired coupons, begging me not to go, pleading with me not to abandon him. But the "fake" heiress—the daughter who had taken my place—caught us in the act. She immediately spun a web of filthy lies to our newfound parents. “I saw them with my own eyes, locked in a disgusting embrace, his hands all over her. Who knows, she might already be carrying that trash’s mistake.” My parents were shaking with rage. They demanded I get on my knees and think about what I’d done to disgrace the family name. “You are an embarrassment. You will not be the one marrying into the Sterling family; we can’t risk you making a fool of us. Let Audrey go instead.” But I was terrified of being poor again. Panicking, I called my ex, begging him to come and kneel with me, to help me ask for forgiveness. “There’s strength in numbers. If we kneel together, maybe they’ll see how sorry I am.” “Then you can explain to them that nothing happened, that we’re innocent. Please, I’m begging you.” He looked hurt, but in the end, he knelt beside me. It lasted until the day of the engagement party, when the Sterling family’s crown prince was nowhere to be found. That’s when my parents finally really looked at who was kneeling beside me, and let out a collective, blood-curdling shriek. “Oh, good lord! Master Sterling, why on earth are you on your knees with this wild girl? Please, get up, we can’t possibly accept this!” Chapter 1 The second I was brought back to the Sterling estate, the media was all over us, cameras flashing like machine guns. “The Sterlings have had one son in three generations, a single heir to the throne. Now that the Vance family has found their other daughter, who gets the merger marriage?” “The Sterling Group is worth billions, and it’s all going to him. Last year, every financial mag rated him the bachelor most women want to marry. He was number one.” Audrey Vance bowed her head slightly, a blush creeping up her cheeks. “Master Sterling is indeed very impressive. We’ve met a few times at events. He’s actually very gentle, not arrogant at all.” The reporters went wild. “Miss Vance, you’ve met Master Sterling personally?” “Was it a private meeting?” Audrey just smiled, playing the silent, mysterious role. She stood next to me, wearing a perfectly tailored, pale pink designer suit, her hair styled to perfection. I looked down at myself. A five-dollar t-shirt from some discount site, and jeans that were washed so thin they were practically white. The press started whispering. “Is that the one they just found? Look how she’s cowering. Totally out of her league.” “Look at Audrey, though. That poise, that class. You can tell she was raised for this.” “This is why you don't leave your kids to be raised by strangers. Look at this girl. Complete waste of potential.” Before I could even wrap my head around what was happening, my father took the podium. His face was a mask, completely emotionless. But the second he stood in front of the microphones, the room went dead silent. “Finding Sienna is a miracle for our family. However, this changes absolutely nothing regarding Audrey’s status here.” “I raised her myself. What is hers will remain hers.” Audrey cracked a small, triumphant smile, shooting me a look that was pure challenge. Father took another step forward, taking control of the narrative. “Regarding the Sterling marriage merger, no final decision has been made.” “The Sterlings are an old-money dynasty. The woman who marries into that family must be the absolute best our family has to offer. It’s entirely up to my daughters now.” The press went into another frenzy. “Mr. Vance, do you mean this is an open competition between them?” Father didn't say another word, ushering us away from the podium. As Audrey and I walked down the final few steps side-by-side, her hand found mine. Her perfectly manicured nails dug deep into the back of my hand, her voice a poisonous whisper. “Sister, you can’t compete with me.” She dug her nails in deeper. I gasped at the sharp pain, trying to pull my hand away, but her grip was like iron. “Don’t move,” she hissed, the gentle, fake smile still plastered on her face for the cameras. “They’re still watching.” “If it weren't for you, the Sterling deal would have been mine by now. Why couldn't you have just died out there in the real world?” My eyes widened. I was about to push her off me. Then my phone exploded with a ringtone. “I’m bringing sexy back! Yeah! Those other boys don’t know how to act! Yeah!” It was Liam’s custom ringtone for himself. He’d set it, and it was the most embarrassingly loud thing on the planet. Everyone froze. Every single eye in the vicinity snapped toward me. My face was burning hot. I fumbled for my phone for what felt like an eternity before I finally managed to silence it. I glanced at the screen. Over 99 unread messages from him. [So you’re a big-shot rich girl now, too good for a broke loser like me, is that it?] [I’m coming to find you right now. You just wait.] Before I could react, Audrey snatched the phone right out of my hand. “Let me see who that is.” I was too slow. She was already holding the phone high out of my reach, dodging my attempts to grab it back. She looked down at the screen, her eyes going wide with mock horror. “Sister, who is this man? Why is he sending you such... graphic messages?” “Please tell me you weren't doing something disgusting on the streets to survive.” The world seemed to hold its breath for one second before erupting into pure chaos. “What does that mean? Was she... working the streets?” “I heard her adoptive parents died years ago. How do you think she survived this long? Ugh, what a filthy thing.” Audrey’s face was a masterpiece of manufactured heartbreak. “Sienna, I know you were desperate, but you can’t sell your body.” “But now that you’re back, you’re a Vance. I will personally teach you everything you need to know about how this family behaves.” She turned to Father, her eyes brimming with tears, but her expression was steel. “Father, don’t you worry. I won’t let her embarrass this family ever again.” The whispering in the crowd grew louder. “Miss Audrey is so impressive. A true lady. It just proves that raising them yourself is always better.” “Tell me about it. Blood doesn't mean anything if they're ruined by the streets.” Father nodded, placing a comforting hand on Audrey’s shoulder. Before he could speak, his assistant rushed over, whispering urgently in his ear. Father’s eyes lit up instantly. “Young Master Sterling is back in town? Today? Since when?” The assistant whispered, “He just landed. He should be at the Sterling estate right now.” Father nodded, all the anger vanishing from his face. He looked at Audrey. “Audrey, get ready. We’re going to the Sterling estate.” Audrey looked up, unable to hide the absolute thrill in her eyes. “You’re taking me? But what about Sienna?” Father cast a dismissive glance in my direction. “She can go home and learn some manners. When she’s not an embarrassment to be around, maybe then she can leave the house.” The assistant walked over and handed me a small slip of paper. “Miss Sienna, this is the address to the main house. Please take a cab. The driver needs to take your father and Miss Audrey.” I looked down at the address. It was on the other side of town. Audrey’s voice was pure sugar, but her eyes were lethal. “By the time you walk home, Father and I should be getting back. Then we can all have dinner together as a family.” I just sighed, turning around and walking away from them. As I walked, I heard the telltale ring of a bicycle bell behind me. I didn't turn around, just stepping to the side to let whoever it was pass. The bike didn't pass, though. It skidded to a stop right next to me. Liam was sitting on the bike, his brow furrowed in annoyance. “No one’s giving you a ride home?” I was stunned to see him. “What are you doing here? I thought I told you we were done.” “They’re off to meet the Sterling heir. They don’t have time for me.” Liam was quiet for a few seconds, his expression unreadable. “Who said we were done? And why are they meeting that guy?” I cracked a bitter smile. “The whole merger-marriage thing. Everyone assumes Audrey is the one who’s going to marry him. They’re going to introduce them, let them ‘bond.’” Liam didn't say anything, just staring at me for what felt like an eternity. “You don’t want to marry him? The Sterling heir. I hear he’s rich, and not terrible to look at.” “If you want that, I can make it happen. I can guarantee he’ll marry you.” I just rolled my eyes. “As if. I don’t want that. If I can just be a good little girl, my family name is enough to make sure I never starve again. Being married to that kind of money is just begging for a headache.” He cracked a small smile, patting the metal rack over his back wheel. “Come on. I’ll give you a lift.” Liam got me back to the Vance estate quickly. I was about to say thank you, when I noticed my father’s black Maybach was parked right outside the gates. How were they back already? I looked up. Audrey was standing on the second-story balcony. My stomach dropped. I tried to push Liam away. The next second, the front doors burst open and Audrey was racing down the steps, her shrill voice echoing. “Father! Mother! You have to see this!” I pushed Liam again, panicking. “Get out of here! Now!” He looked at me, confused, before getting back on his bike and pedaling away. Audrey ran right out the front door, just as Father and Mother hurried out behind her. Audrey threw herself at them, grabbing their hands. “I saw it! A man just brought her back! They were practically on top of each other! His hands were inside her clothes!” “Right here! In front of everyone! She was letting him feel her up!” Audrey bit her lip, pouring on the fake drama. “He was pinning her against the wall, and she had her arms around his neck, kissing him...” My jaw dropped. I was completely paralyzed. “That’s a lie! None of that happened!” Audrey wasn't letting go. “Sister, I saw it with my own eyes. Why are you lying? It’s one thing to have those disgusting conversations on your phone, but now you're bringing that trash right to our doorstep.” Father took a deep, shuddering breath, his chest heaving with fury. “Master Sterling hardly ever comes to town, but when we went to see him, he refused to even show his face.” “It’s obvious he doesn't want anything to do with us. The second you show up, you bring your filthy behavior with you. The second you show up, you shame this family!” Audrey started talking again, playing the part of the supportive sister trying to help me "reform." She said, “Sienna, just admit you’re wrong! This is your chance to change! Your body might be filthy, but your heart can still be clean! Don’t you worry, none of us will ever speak a word of this outside this family.” A wave of pure, exhausted hopelessness washed over me, climbing up from the ground and choking off my voice. I just hung my head, saying nothing. Father let out a cold, sharp snort that sounded like an icicle snapping. “From this moment on, you are kneeling in the back courtyard until you learn your lesson. You aren't to leave this property. If you cause one more scene at the engagement party tomorrow, I will publicly disown you.” “Audrey will be the one marrying Sterling. It’s your own fault you’re useless.” Audrey, with fake tears in her eyes, came over and pulled me into a hug. When her mouth was right next to my ear, she whispered so softly only I could hear. “Who cares if you’re his biological daughter? They’re still giving me the best life has to offer.” “Sister, I’ll bring you some wedding cake from my engagement party tomorrow.” I knelt on the stone pavers of the back courtyard, the sharp edges digging painfully into my knees. I could still hear Father’s furious roars from inside the house, with Audrey constantly stoking the flames. “I think I might have seen her face in one of those disgusting trashy pop-up ads...” “You know, the ones for those kinds of sites... some woman was naked, the face was blurry, but it looked just like her.” She paused, then quickly added with a note of mock concern: “But I’m sure I’m wrong. Sister would never do something like that. They probably just look alike.” Mother let out a sharp gasp. Father’s roar grew deafening. “What? Are you serious?” “Once we survive this engagement party tomorrow, I’m sending her right back to whatever gutter she crawled out of.” My whole body went rigid. Sending me back? Audrey’s voice was choked with fake tears. “Father, please don't. Sienna is young. Maybe she just made some bad choices. Please, give her one more chance.” The more she pretended to plead for me, the more furious Father became. “Give her a chance? That Sterling boy didn't even show up today. He obviously heard rumors. If we keep her, she’s going to completely destroy our family name!” Mother sighed, her voice sounding exhausted. “Fine, fine. Stop fighting. Tomorrow is Audrey’s big day. Let’s not let this ruin it. We’ll figure out what to do after the engagement party.” Father was panting, his voice like ice. “Fine. Once Audrey is engaged tomorrow, I’m kicking her out. We do not keep shameless trash like that in this house.” A jolt went through me. I couldn't just sit here and wait to be thrown out. I fumbled for my phone and texted Liam. [I’m being punished. Come here and kneel with me.] The other end was silent for a few seconds. Then a long string of question marks popped up. [???] [I have to kneel too?] I typed furiously. [None of this would have happened if it weren't for you. I remembered we have security cameras on the front gate, but they’re not going to believe me if I explain it now.] [Just climb over the wall and kneel with me. When my parents are less angry, you can explain that we’re innocent, that you were just harassing me.] Silence on the other end for a long, long time. So long that I was sure he wasn't going to reply. Then, my phone buzzed. [I’m here. Which wall?] I replied immediately. [Follow the wall around to the back. There’s a crooked tree. Climb up that and jump down.] A few minutes later, I heard the telltale rustle of the tree branches. Liam was sitting on top of the wall, checking the drop before jumping down. He sighed, walking over and kneeling right next to me. We knelt there all night. At some point, I must have fallen asleep. The next morning, I was jarred awake by the sound of furious shouting. I snapped my eyes open, realizing I was practically buried in Liam’s chest. He was kneeling up straight, one hand on the ground for balance, the other holding me gently so I wouldn't collapse. His spine was like steel, like he was a statue. I scrambled up into a straight kneeling position. He glanced at me, his voice rough and incredibly raspy. “Finally awake?” The shouting outside was getting louder. “Master Sterling is here! And Master Sterling’s grandmother!” “Please! Right this way!” I strained my ears to listen. Father’s voice was laced with panic. “But Young Master Sterling? Why didn't he come?” An older woman’s voice, surprisingly strong and commanding, carried a hint of helplessness. “That foolish grandson of mine. We have no idea where he ran off to today. He’s not answering his phone. We can’t find him anywhere. So it’s just us elders today. We wanted to come meet the future in-laws.” Audrey’s voice rose, pure, undiluted heartbreak. “How could this happen? Today is our engagement day.” The Sterling grandmother’s voice was a bit awkward. “Audrey, please don’t be upset. He’s been like this since he was a child. The more important the event, the more he loves to hide. When he’s done playing, he’ll come back.” Mother let out a dry, forced laugh. “Yes, yes. Young people. It’s normal.” The whole entourage was moving this way, the sounds of their footsteps and voices getting closer and closer. I shrunk my shoulders, wishing I could hide my face. The Sterling grandmother was squinting as she looked toward the courtyard. Father tried to block her view, clearing his throat. “Our... troublesome daughter we just took back is kneeling in there. We wouldn't want her to offend your eyes.” The Sterling grandmother stared at me for a few seconds. Then her gaze fixed on Liam. She froze. And then, she blurted out: “Isn't that the foolish boy right there? He got here earlier than we did.” Chapter 2 Audrey, who had been following behind, saw Liam too, and her eyes practically popped out of her head. She suddenly charged forward, pointing a trembling finger at Liam, her voice a shrill shriek. “It’s him! It’s him!” She spun around, shaking with rage and excitement. “Father! Mother! That is the man I saw clinging to her last night!” “I saw them with my own eyes, locked in a disgusting embrace at the front gate. His hands were inside her clothes, and they were kissing against the wall. This is the trash she was sleeping with!” She stopped, turning a watery gaze toward the Sterling grandmother, a perfect picture of concerned righteousness. “Sister is just so... shameless. I wanted to say something yesterday, but I was so worried it would ruin the engagement party, so I kept quiet. I had no idea this man would have the nerve to show up here today.” She wiped her tears, acting the part of the heartbroken but moral victim. The silence that followed was terrifying. Every single eye was fixed on the two of us. Audrey stood at the front of the crowd, her face practically glowing with triumph. The Sterling grandmother just looked at her. “Are you sure about that?” she asked. Audrey nodded violently, letting a few more tears escape. “Absolutely, grandmother. I saw it with my own eyes. They were... intimate.” The Sterling grandmother was silent for a few seconds. And then, she smiled. “Well, since they’ve already been intimate,” she said calmly, “then the only option is for Master Sterling’s engagement to be with Sienna.” The world went silent for a single, perfect second. The triumph on Audrey’s face frozen solid. “What... what?” Father was stunned. Mother just stood there, her mouth open, unable to form words. Audrey took two frantic steps forward, her voice cracking. “Grandmother, what are you saying? Give it to her? But she’s... she’s filthy.” She pointed a shaking finger at Liam. The Sterling grandmother looked at her, her smile absolutely serene. “Audrey, dear, do you know who this is?” Audrey just froze. The Sterling grandmother walked over and tapped Liam on the back of his head. “You foolish boy, aren't you going to say something?” Liam rubbed his head, a corner of his mouth turning up slightly. “Grandmother.” Every ounce of color drained from Audrey’s face instantly. She staggered back, collapsing against Mother. “No way.”
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