Chapter 2

Seven years ago, I was admitted to the National Institute of Confidential Science. Sadly, before I even decided to go, my biological parents sent me to prison. Seven years in prison taught me a lot. As my release approached, I reapplied for a position at the institute.

Shortly after sending my application, I received a reply: "In ten days, on December 10th, a private car will pick you up promptly at 9 PM."

Ten days... I closed my eyes again. Just ten more days, and I could leave this loveless home forever.

The next morning, I was woken up by the noise in the living room. Groggy, I washed up and stepped out of my room. There, in the living room, I saw Mona had returned. She sat on the sofa like a princess in her white dress. My dad, my mom, my younger sister Chloe, and my fiancé Hale surrounded her. The butler brought out a cake, and everyone said in unison, "Happy birthday, Mona."

Happiness lit up Mona's eyes. "Thank you, Dad, Mom, Chloe, and Hale," she said sweetly. Then she added, "I just got out of the hospital. Did you all prepare gifts for me?"

My parents and Chloe each presented their gifts in turn. When it was Hale's turn, he was about to give Mona his gift when he spotted me walking out from the storage room. "Lyanne, you're awake. Come join us to celebrate Mona's birthday," he called to me, oblivious to the sudden change in my parents' and Chloe's expressions.

Mona, on the other hand, greeted me warmly. "Lyanne, I'm so sorry I couldn't pick you up from prison yesterday because I was sick. You're not mad at me, are you?"

Before I could respond, Hale chimed in, "Lyanne is generous; she wouldn't hold that against you."

Hearing this, Mona took Hale's hand and looked at me. "Lyanne, it's my birthday today. Will you give me a gift? I want Hale."

Her audacious words hung in the air, and no one said a thing. All eyes were on me, waiting for my response. I had never encountered someone so shameless. Clenching my fists, I said, "What if I don't agree?"

Mona's face stiffened. Then, feigning hurt, she switched to French. "I was just joking. I didn't think Lyanne would take it so seriously."

My mother, also in French, consoled her, "Mona, don't be upset. Lyanne is nothing like me—so petty and pretentious."

My father added, "Mona, don't take it to heart. No matter what, your mother and I have always considered you our real daughter."

Chloe chimed in too, "That's right. You're my only sister."

What a perfect little family... I pretended not to understand and asked Hale, "What are they saying?"

Hale's dark eyes flickered as he replied lightly, "Mona said she was joking, and everyone's telling you not to overthink it."

Don't overthink it... How could they lie so blatantly to my face? They didn't know I understood everything they said. My mother, a celebrated artist, and my father, once a powerhouse in the business world, had always looked down on me since they adopted me from the orphanage. They despised the fact that I hadn't received a proper education growing up and doted entirely on their foster daughter, Mona. Ten years ago, Mona and I took our college entrance exams together. Mona got into an arts academy, and they celebrated her like she'd conquered the world. But they never knew that I had been admitted to Harvard. Not only that, I had taught myself French, Italian, and Spanish. None of it mattered, though. Soon, I would leave this hypocritical family and my equally deceitful fiancé, Hale.

"I've just been released and haven't had a chance to look around. I'll head out now. You all carry on," I said. As I limped out, I could feel the disdainful stares from my family and the servants alike.

Behind me, my parents and Chloe continued speaking in French, criticizing me without restraint. They seemed to have forgotten—it was my birthday too.