Chapter 1

Seven years ago, my parents' adopted daughter, my sister Mona Miller, caused a drunk driving accident and fled the scene.

My parents, along with my biological sister Chloe, pleaded with me. "Mona isn't well. She can't go to prison. Could you take the fall for her?"

I refused.

But one late night, they personally handed me over to the police.

My fiancé, Hale Brown, a powerful financial tycoon, had arranged everything. He told me, "Lyanne, when you get out, I'll marry you. It's just seven years—bear with it."

......

Seven years later. "Lyanne Miller, live well after you're released. Don't look back." The prison guard handed me a faded cloth bag. I bowed slightly and limped out of the prison gates.

A rugged SUV was waiting outside. As the window rolled down, Hale's sharp, handsome features came into view. "Lyanne."

Seven years apart, and he hadn't changed a bit. But without realizing it, I lowered my head, climbed into the car, and caught a glimpse of my gaunt, scar-ridden face in the rear-view mirror.

"These seven years must've been tough for you. I'll fulfill my promise and marry you," Hale said, holding my frail hand.

I looked at the reflection of my skeletal self in his eyes and slowly withdrew my hand, my tone indifferent. "Okay."

After 2,589 days behind bars, I had seen through Hale and my family. They never loved me. And now, I no longer wanted to marry him.

Sensing my coldness, Hale instinctively explained. "Mona heard you were getting out today. It reminded her of the accident seven years ago, and her depression flared up again. Your parents and Chloe are all at the hospital with her."

I listened silently and closed my eyes. Twenty-five years ago, at the age of two, I got lost in a mall. Grieving for her missing daughter, my mother adopted Mona from an orphanage because she resembled me. But when I was found at age fifteen, my parents didn't love me—they made me give way to Mona in every aspect. Seven years ago, they even made me go to prison for her. Compared to Mona, I felt like the adopted one.

On the way home, cars graciously cleared the road for Hale, giving him a wide path. An hour later, we arrived at the Miller residence. Inside, only the butler and maids were present. When they saw me, their eyes were full of disdain. My parents only loved Mona, not me, their biological daughter. To the staff, I wasn't Ms. Lyanne of the Miller family.

"Mr. Hale, welcome," the butler greeted Hale with utmost respect before finally turning to me. "Ms. Lyanne, Margaret—your mother—ordered that after your return, you should keep a low profile and not disgrace the Miller family."

Disgrace... I went to prison for Mona, yet I was the one bringing shame? But honestly, I had stopped expecting anything from them the night they sent me to the police. "Understood."

I was about to head inside when Hale received a phone call. After hanging up, he turned to me. "Lyanne, Mona had another episode. She needs me. Rest up now that you're back—I'll come see you tomorrow."

He left in a hurry. Watching his figure disappear, I limped back to my small, cluttered room. When I opened the door, it was covered in dust. Exhausted, I lay down on the bed without a second thought.

That night, half-asleep, I overheard voices in the living room. It was Chloe, my biological sister. "Dad, Mom, Mona's condition is so bad. Shouldn't we ask Lyanne to move out? Every time Mona sees her, she has a breakdown."

My dad sighed but didn't respond. My mom said, "She's still a Miller. If we force her out, what will people think of us?"

"So what do we do? We can't have Mona living at the hospital forever," Chloe argued.

Finally, my dad spoke. "When Mona comes home, just make sure Lyanne doesn't appear in front of her. She can stay in her room."

Hearing this, my eyes burned with unshed tears. Just then, my phone vibrated. It was an email, marked confidential.

"Ms. Lyanne Miller, congratulations on your acceptance into the National Academy of Confidential Scientific Research. Upon accepting this position, you will assume a new identity and, in ten days, join a team of researchers traveling to Dominica. Your identity will remain classified, and for the next five years, you will not be permitted to contact the outside world."

I carefully read through the terms. Without hesitation, I signed my name—Lyanne Miller.