Chapter 1
The day my bio parents brought me home to the Whitmores, fake heiress Savannah was playing piano like some tragic Disney princess.
One look at me and her fingers started trembling. Cue the breakdown: “Mommy, Daddy, you’re gonna dump me now?“[]
Mom rushed over: “Oh honey, no WAY! Mommy loves you SO much, baby girl!“[]
Dad melted like butter: “Princess, don’t even THINK that. You’re my angel forever.“[]
t.“|
And my so–called brother Mason? Glared at me like I’d personally ruined Christmas: “Savannah’s heart condition is acting up. Don’t stress her out.”
Me? I’m standing there with my beat–up suitcase, watching this Hallmark movie.[]
What a JOKE.
If it wasn’t for a promise I made to someone who actually mattered… I would’ve walked right back out.[]
Instead, I just smiled.[]
Sometimes the best revenge is being everything they never expected.[]
–
AR
My actual blood relatives comforting the fraud who’d been playing house for eighteen years.[]
And me? Standing here like some Amazon delivery driver.[]
“Um,” I knocked on the doorframe, “can I come in? Or should I wait outside till you’re done with your group hug?”
Mom finally remembered I existed, looking all embarrassed:[]
“Riley, sweetie, get in here! Don’t just stand there.”
Riley.
She couldn’t even nail my name–Raven Whitmore.
“It’s Raven.“]]
I dragged my suitcase inside, keeping my voice dead calm.[]
Savannah peeked up through her tears, doing her whole wounded puppy thing:
“I’m SO sorry, Raven. This is all on me–I stole your whole life…”
༡ ས་པ ོད
“Whatever.” I dumped my suitcase in the corner. “You’ve been squatting here eighteen years. What’s a few more minutes?”
Dead silence.
Savannah’s crying hit a wall. Girl probably didn’t expect me to go straight for the throat.[]
Mason’s face went dark: “Raven, what’s your deal?“]]
I eyeballed this discount brother.[]
Twenty–five, some hotshot VP at Whitmore Corp.]
Supposed to be this ruthless business shark, but right now he looked like a mama hen protecting her chick.[]
“Just calling it like it is.”
I planted myself on their fancy couch–holy crap, this thing was softer than my old bed.[]
“She DID squat in my spot for eighteen years. That’s facts.“[]
“What’d you want me to say? No biggie, sis, keep the throne warm?“]
You-
Chapter 1
Mason was ready to blow when Dad cut him off.[]
“Raven just got home. We all need time to… adjust. Savannah, go rest up. Don’t forget your meds tonight.“[]
Savannah bit her lip, shooting me this tragic look before bolting upstairs.[]
Real delicate flower routine.]
But I caught something–right when she turned around, her mouth twitched into this smug little smirk.[]
Nice try, princess. But wrong audience.[]
I’ve been stuck in foster hell for years–seen every manipulation trick in the book. Wanna play the victim card with me? Not happening.[]
Dinner rolled around pretty quick. And damn, they went ALL OUT–like ten courses.[]
But everything tasted like cardboard, supposedly for Savannah’s “delicate heart.“[]
I bit into the fish. Might as well have been chewing cotton balls.]
“So Raven… how was it over there?” Morn asked, tiptoeing around like I might explode.[]
There” meaning my foster hellhole.
I dropped my fork: “Didn’t you already dig up all the dirt?“||
After those DNA results dropped, they definitely did their homework. Otherwise they wouldn’t have tracked me down so fast.[]
“We just wanted to hear your side.” Dad said.[]
THI
I laughed: “Foster dad’s a gambling junkie. Foster mom lives at the poker table. Been working since I was ten, paying for their golden boy’s college since fifteen.“[]
“But hey, you probably got the full report already.“[]
Mom’s eyes went all watery. “Oh honey, that’s all Mommy’s fault…“]
“We’re EATING,” Mason snapped. “This stuff’s gross.”
I stared him down: “My trashy background embarrassing you?“[]
“That’s not- -0
“Then what IS it?“[]
“AHHH!” Savannah suddenly grabbed her chest, face going ghost–white. “My heart–something’s wrong!“]
The whole family swarmed her like she was bleeding out.[]
Mom: “Get your pills!“]
Dad: “Hospital time?“]]
Mason: “Calling our doctor RIGHT NOW!“]]
I kept eating. Didn’t even blink,[]
Girl’s got skills, I’ll give her that.
But her acting was getting sloppy.[]
Real heart attacks don’t come with perfect timing and dramatic announcements.[]
Family doctor showed up in record time.
After checking her over: just emotional stress. Some rest would fix it right up.[]
Mom carried Savannah upstairs like she was made of glass, with Dad and Mason trailing behind.[]
Left me alone in their massive dining room.[]
Maid tried to clear my plate. I waved her off: “Still working on it.“[]
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Chapter 1
Actually, I was stuffed.[]
But I was gonna sit here and finish my first meal in my bio–parents‘ house.[]
Even if I had to eat it solo.]
I was digging into the feast when my phone buzzed at the worst possible moment. Didn’t even need to check–definitely foster mom hitting me up for cash:[]
[Where’s my fucking money you little brat? This month’s payment better show up REAL soon]
Blocked her ass immediately.[]
Starting today, I’m done bankrolling ANYONE.[]
