Chapter 2
Camden cut his mother off cold.
He stepped up, steadying the hysterical Mrs. Hartwell: “You’re our foster kid.”
Jaxon, being Camden’s ride or die, caught on instantly: “Yeah, the Hartwells have been your foster family. Super generous people.”
Mrs. Hartwell’s mouth was hanging open mid–sentence,
She looked between her son and Jaxon, then at my “confused” face.
Her tears were stuck somewhere between falling and not–her expression was a hot mess.
Seeing this, Willow immediately threw herself at Mrs. Ilartwell: “Mom, don’t waste any more tears on this ungrateful bitch. You’ve got ME–your real daughter!”
Mrs. Hartwell melted and hugged her tight.
I nearly barfed.
Instead, I turned to Harrison, who’d been silent: “So I’m really just your foster kid?”
Before he could answer, Camden’s face went red and he exploded: “What’s that supposed to mean? You calling me a liar?”
His chest was heaving like I’d personally attacked his manhood: “You’re the one who had to come here and kiss my mom’s ass for helping you out–none of this would’ve happened! You fall down the damn stairs like a klutz, and we gotta pay for your medical bills. And now you’re being
a bitch about it?
“News flash–we don’t owe you shit!”
I fell down the stairs?
I wanted to laugh in his face.
This piece of shit standing right here–my so–called “big brother“-was the one who pushed me down those fucking stairs!
And now he’s acting like the victim?
If I really had amnesia, I might’ve bought his sob story.
I waited for him to finish his tantrum, then looked at him like he was stupid: “Did I ask you? Why you explaining so much–feeling guilty or
what?”
“You little-!”
Camden choked on his own rage, face turning purple.
I was about to really set him off when Harrison finally spoke: “Yeah, we foster you.”
I felt something cold settle in my chest.
The way he looked at me wasn’t like a father looking at his daughter–more like he was calculating the value of a used car.
“Either way, you got hurt in our house, so we’re liable…”
He paused, thinking: “Look, you’re staying with us anyway, so just keep living here till you’re better and done with school. We’ll call it even.”
Then he stopped, obviously waiting for my answer.
10:34
Sorry, I’m Not Here to Play Family… I’m the Real Heiress Here to Wreck the Game!
17.19%
Chapter 2
Mrs. Hartwell was staring at me too, looking nervous.
I put on just the right amount of hesitation: “I mean… wouldn’t I just be in the way…”
“No way, honey! Make yourself at home.”
Mrs. Hartwell was shaking her head frantically, like she’d finally found somewhere to dump her leftover maternal instincts.
“Oh, you KNOW you’re a pain in the ass.” Camden snorted: “You backwoods hicks should kiss the ground the Hartwells walk on.
I completely ignored him and kept looking at Mr. and Mrs. Ilartwell, nodding slightly: “Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell. Sorry for the trouble.”
Camden snorted again, probably thinking “typical, acts all reluctant but takes the handout anyway.”
Jaxon elbowed him to shut up.
Then turned to me with this fake–ass smile: “Sky, don’t mind Camden. He’s got a big mouth but he means well.”
With that, he glanced at Camden: “He’s worried about you too, wants you to feel comfortable here. No hard feelings.”
Camden rubbed his nose and looked away, but didn’t say anything else nasty.
I shrugged. “Whatever.”
Who gives a fuck what this moron thinks.
I don’t need to be part of the Hartwell family.
But I’m staying put–staying in the city.
Everyone back in that shithole village used to say you’ll never amount to anything if you stay stuck there.
No success, no cash.
Hell no.
I’m gonna be somebody. I’m gonna get rich and successful.
