Chapter 4

I looked up and met my father’s dark gaze.

When my expression immediately hardened, my mother rushed to smooth things over.

“Nora, don’t be angry. Your father’s just a little anxious.”

“Look how considerate Vivian is. She knows your throat is damaged and wants to drink for you. Why are you being difficult? Just let her. We’re only doing what’s best for you.”

What’s best for me?

I gave a cold laugh.

If they really wanted what was best for me, they would have thrown out the girl who’d spent over twenty years living my life.

There was no way my parents hadn’t looked into my past.

They had to know that if I hadn’t been switched at birth, my throat could have been treated.

Nora Foster…

That wasn’t even the name I’d started with. The Fosters had originally named me Hope—because they’d hoped their next child would be a boy.

The Fosters had switched me with Vivian, planning to use me to extort money from the Bennetts. Only after taking me did they discover something was wrong with my throat.

They cursed me for being a bad investment. Because I was a girl, they refused to spend money on treatment. They let the inflammation turn into infection, worsening until I could no longer speak.

Vivian was considerate of me?

She’d spent all those years surrounded by wealth and luxury. Our parents adored her. One little cough was enough to send everyone into a panic.

And me?

Before the Bennetts found me, I’d been frantic because my adoptive father refused to pay my tuition.

I could have had a voice. I could have avoided the abuse he inflicted on me for being unable to speak.

Vivian had stolen my life. What part of that was considerate?

Staring into my father’s angry eyes, I suddenly smiled.

If we’d never been switched, would I be the one they defended without question?

My laughter confused Vivian. She shot me a glare and pinched harder.

I jerked her hand away, grabbed her chin with my left hand, and poured the wine straight into her mouth.

You want to drink so badly? Here. Drink your fill.

“Mmph—!”

Vivian hadn’t expected me to fight back. She struggled, wine splashing all over her face.

My father lunged forward and shoved me away.

“Nora Foster!” he roared, holding Vivian as she cowered in his arms. His fury was undisguised. “Vivian’s only trying to help you! How can you be so vicious?”

I stumbled backward, straight toward the champagne tower.

Helpless, I closed my eyes.

Great. Another public humiliation.

“No, it won’t be.”

Warmth wrapped around my waist. The impact I expected never came.

Ethan had caught me with one arm. When I didn’t respond, he repeated, “You’re not going to embarrass yourself.”

I froze.

Was he talking to me?

Before I could think about it, my mother hurried over. Her expression was gentle, but a flicker of annoyance crossed her eyes.

“Nora, I know you’re upset with Vivian, but she was helping you. What are you doing? This is your engagement party. Please stop acting out.”

Knowing I couldn’t speak and wouldn’t be able to answer, she finished and headed straight for Vivian.

As she passed me, I heard her mutter,

“Raised in the middle of nowhere. I suppose that vulgarity is impossible to shake.”