Chapter 3

He spotted me too, clearly surprised. He slammed the brakes on his motorcycle, studying me from head to toe with a smug grin. "Well, look at that. Not as clueless as I thought. You figured it out, huh?"

I froze. So, he knew about me the whole time.

"Why? Why is this happening?" I demanded, my voice shaky.

"Jack, am I adopted? Or is this some kind of messed-up experiment you're running, and I'm just the test subject?"

He raised an eyebrow, like he was talking to a child, and shook his finger at me. "No, you're a Johnson. My biological sister."

"As for why you were raised poor," he continued, his voice dripping with arrogance, "it's simple. I'm the sole heir to the Johnson family."

"Sarah, you were born just one minute before me. What right do you think you have to compete with me?"

"This place isn't for you. Go back to your little life."

He revved the engine, preparing to leave, but not before throwing one last dig. "Poor thing, don't give me that look. Mom and Dad worked hard to raise you."

"Oh, and by the way, stop pretending with Grandpa and Grandma for Christmas. They're old, they don't have the energy to keep pretending anymore."

With that, Jack zoomed off, disappearing into the estate.

I stood there for a long time, trying to wrap my mind around everything. It wasn't just about being rich. It was about the inheritance, the Johnson family's legacy.

But what did I do wrong? All I ever wanted was their love. I just wanted to be their daughter, treated like family.

They lied for years, sure. But was their kindness, was that all just part of the charade?

I turned to leave, the weight of it all pressing down on me.

Before I could go far, I called my dad. "Are you coming home for dinner tonight?"

"No, Sarah, working overtime. Triple pay for Christmas. Your mom's the same," he said, too casually.

But I could hear it, the rumble of a motorcycle in the background.

I paused, swallowing hard, then answered quietly, "Mm."

That was it. I knew what I had to do.

Back at home, I packed my bags and signed up for a special research project the university had offered. It was in the west, three years of isolation, far away from everything and everyone.

I took the photo I'd snapped of Jack's back and placed it on my bedside table, the image burning in my mind like a reminder of everything I'd just learned.

That night, they didn't come back. I was alone. Again.

I called my dad again, but it went straight to voicemail.

Meanwhile, the Johnson family's Jade Corporation was throwing a big holiday bash. Employees were flaunting their red envelopes, and one posted about receiving $300 from the company.

Mom and Dad were front and center on stage, one in a sharp suit, the other holding a glass of wine, looking like they belonged in a magazine. Mom looked flawless, every bit the glamorous lady she'd become.

Jack was surrounded by a crowd, soaking in the attention like a celebrity. There was even a family photo, the perfect picture of a perfect family.

I couldn't believe it. They thought I wouldn't notice. They thought I wouldn't see the truth.

I saw everything. I was paying attention to every last detail.

A reporter even interviewed them, asking about their holiday plans. My dad, all smiles for the camera, answered, "This year, Jack's twenty-two. We always take a trip, and we're leaving today!"

My chest tightened.

I'm twenty-two too. But the furthest I've gone is the local zoo on a school trip in elementary school.

I scoffed and grabbed my household registration book, turning it over in my hands.

It was laughable. After I went to college, they transferred my household registration to the school, telling me I was an adult now and had to take responsibility for myself.

Well, now it was my time to take responsibility for me.

I grabbed my suitcase, no second thoughts. No looking back.

"Goodbye, Dad. Goodbye, Mom. Forever."