Chapter 3

As a reward, Mrs. Sterling handed me a black card and told me to enjoy a free day out.

It was the most relaxing day I’d had since coming to the Sterling household.

The driver took me to Fifth Avenue, the most luxurious strip in Manhattan. I stepped out of the car alone.

I had barely walked a few steps when a familiar figure appeared ahead.

It was Bella—now going by Bella Lombardo—standing under the scorching sun, handing out flyers for a fast-food chain.

The Lombardo family lived in the slums. It wasn’t surprising that they couldn’t afford much, and Bella had to take up a job to earn money.

In my past life, I had done the same. During summer break, I worked three jobs a day while studying for the SAT.

On top of that, I had to help my foster parents with endless chores.

They’d always claimed to treat us equally, but they never let Liam touch housework.

Later, I found out the truth—they hadn’t taken me in because they wanted a daughter, but because they wanted the tiny foster care subsidy and a live-in maid.

“Hello, would you like to—”

A flyer was thrust toward me.

Bella's voice stopped abruptly when she looked up and saw me.

“Chloe?”

Her eyes flicked over the Chanel dress from the latest season and my well-maintained skin. A flash of envy passed across her face.

She forced a smile. “You seem to be doing well for yourself. But don’t say I didn’t warn you—life in high society isn’t as easy as you think. Mrs. Sterling is more terrifying than you realize. You’ll find out soon enough.”

“Oh.”

I replied calmly, which made her frown slightly.

She started boasting. “Uncle and Aunt Lombardo treat me wonderfully. My days are full. Liam even helps me with schoolwork. And guess what? We got full scholarships to St. Jude Academy this year.”

St. Jude Academy…

The admission letter Mrs. Sterling had given me earlier was from that very school.

It was an elite institution where most students came from old-money families. A few, like me, were admitted on the strength of outstanding academic performance.

In my past life, it was Liam and I who had been accepted on merit.

“Our future’s only going to get better,” Bella said with confidence. “But you? You’ll die penniless on the street.”

She looked utterly convinced.

I opened my mouth, ready to say something.

“Bella!”

“Liam! What are you doing here?”

Bella’s expression lit up as she ran into his arms.

Liam was carrying a cheap lunchbox. He handed it to her. “Mom asked me to bring you food. It’s too hot out here. Want me to take over for a while?”

“No need, Liam. I can handle it.”

The Lombardos would rather stretch their budget to put Liam in expensive tutoring than let Bella rest for a moment.

That’s exactly how they’d used to treat me, too.

“Thanks for the trouble.”

As Bella spoke, Liam finally noticed me standing nearby.

“Liam, this is my sister Chloe—the one you met back at the foster center.”

Bella introduced me.

Liam gave me a quick once-over. His expression was cold, with a trace of disgust. He didn’t acknowledge me. Instead, he turned to Bella.

“Stop hanging around with people like that. Let’s go.”

He didn’t give me a chance to respond. He just grabbed Bella’s hand and led her away.

“Liam, why are you being so mean? You’ll scare her.”

“Idiot. That girl didn’t look decent at all. You shouldn't get involved with someone like her. Who knows what she might do to you in the future?”

Their voices faded, but his cutting tone lingered in the air.

I didn’t understand where Liam’s hostility came from. It stirred something faint inside me, but not enough to matter.

I turned away and walked into a luxury boutique, the black card from Mrs. Sterling still in hand. I bought armfuls of designer goods.