Chapter 1

After eighteen years in the slums, my sister's billionaire father came to claim her.

The day she left, Serena-the sister I'd never gotten along with-insisted on taking me with her to that better life.

Everyone was jealous. They thought I'd finally escaped this place.

But I refused.

My parents stared at me, caught between fury and despair.

"We're handing you a future, and you're throwing it away? You want to rot here forever?"

Even our relatives saw a chance. "If she won't go, just send my Chloe instead!"

I didn't budge.

"I'm not going."

I knew what awaited there was danger.

My repeated refusals drew a frost over Mr. Sterling's expression. A man of his stature didn't beg. He certainly didn't beg a poor, unrelated girl.

He crossed his arms. "Ungrateful," he spat, the word hanging in the air like a verdict.

Seeing his anger, Mrs. Davies trembled. She stepped forward and slapped my shoulder, her voice a low, furious hiss.

"What is wrong with you? People would kill for this chance, and you say no? Are you insane? What is so good about this dump that you must stay?"

I kept my head down, silent, as they yelled and hit me.

This rundown place truly was awful. We scraped by, working through scorching summers and braving winter blizzards to tend the livestock.

But I still wanted to stay. At least...

Mr. Davies gritted his teeth and shoved me.

"You have to go! This isn't up to you. If you go, it'll ease the burden on this family. Your mother and I won't have to break our backs paying for your education anymore!"

"Lily, stop being stubborn! This is for your own good."

Tears filled my eyes. I knew they meant well. They wanted a better life for me.

But I still shook my head, my voice thick. “I can't!"

My aunt Rachel saw her chance. She pushed her daughter Chloe forward, her shrewd eyes darting between us.

"Since Lily won't go, why not Chloe? She's every bit as good!"

Before Mr. Sterling could respond, Serena frowned and cut in.

"No! I only want Lily to come with me!"

Anyone else might have seen a devoted sister. But I, shrank back into the corner, broke into a cold sweat.