, came to visit later that morning, her face was a mask of strained concern. She bro

d, her voice a little too bright. "We were s

, and felt nothing. The desperate need for her approval that had de

I said, my

"Your father and I were talking. There's... t

ew what it w

tarted, her words hesitant. "It was meant for Chloe, of course. A

ow,"

ole... you know he was in that terrible accident. He's paralyzed. It's a tra

thought of Chloe's unhappiness, but they had no problem

rry him instead," I s

his family, Sarah. We took you in, we raised you. Chloe deserves a happ

or years, it had worked. I would have done anythin

o it,"

"Oh, Sarah, thank you! I knew we could

dded, my voice cutting t

r smile falteri

know that I, Sarah Miller, am the true heiress of Miller Tech, the company my biological paren

ed. "Sarah,

cond, I want my shares. A significant portion of the company, sig

not the pliable, eager-to-please girl

ver agree to that,"

You can tell Chloe to pack her bags. I'm sure she and

me in a heartbeat to protect Chloe. My mother's face cycled through shock

ht. She grabbed her purse and practically fled the room, th

ed in, my body tensed. He was putting on a performa

e tried to take my hand, but I pulled it away.

going to throw away a piece of me like garbage, and I f

I said, my voice

him, reassuring him. "The doctors said the surgery was a success

ld almost taste it. "Don't worry abou

hat he was "healthy." I just nodded, my eyes focused on a spot on the wall behind him. I didn't have the energy to fight, to scream, to

ring. When he left, he promised to be back first

ever

new, with a certainty that settled deep in my gut, where he was. He was with Chloe. He was probably picking her