Chapter 1 Out of Prison

In Valoria, the prison's icy iron gates slowly swung open.

Sunlight hit Kaia Larson's gaunt, sallow face. The clothes she'd worn on the day of her arrest now hung loose on her. She'd spent five years in that sunless hell, and today, finally, she was free.

Kaia limped out of the prison, dragging one leg behind her. Her steps were sluggish, not out of desire, but because she had no choice.

A black Bentley idled by the curb, its window lowering to reveal a man with sharp, icy features. His gaze flicked to her legs before he snorted, eyes full of open contempt. He muttered, "Five years in prison, and you're still playing the victim."

A sudden pang struck Kaia's heart, and her eyes began to sting for no reason she could name.

It was Samuel Larson—her brother. From the day she was brought back from the orphanage to the Larson family at 15, she'd tried everything to earn his approval.

Yet for the sake of his adopted sister—someone who wasn't even blood—he'd gone so far as to fabricate evidence and have her charged with attempted murder. Five years had gone by, but Samuel was just as sharp-tongued, his contempt for her still as clear as ever.

Choking down the bitterness, Kaia limped on, acting like she hadn't even noticed him.

Samuel's expression froze.

Kaia was giving him the cold shoulder. As far as he could remember, she was always the one to reach out first, doing whatever it took to make him happy.

She'd always be there to hand him his slippers when he came home. She'd massage his shoulders if he were exhausted.

She'd make him a cup of calming tea on nights he couldn't sleep. If work kept him late, she'd wait outside his office with a meal in a thermos, no matter the weather.

The three years Kaia had spent with him had eased his chronic stomach issues. But after she was locked away, the pain came back, waking him up at night.

Today, Samuel felt a flicker of happiness when he heard that she had been released. He even canceled an overseas meeting to pick her up from prison.

He expected Kaia to be overjoyed to see him. He was even prepared for her to break down and tell him about all the hardships she'd faced.

The last thing he expected was her cold indifference. The admiration in her gaze had disappeared, replaced by a distant look.

The strange disappointment in his chest gnawed at him, simmering into irritation. His grip tightened on the steering wheel, veins rising on the backs of his hands.

Samuel's tone was harsher than he'd meant. "Get in."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them. He frowned in frustration, then softened his voice just a little. "Mom and Dad know you're getting out today. They set up a welcome party for you."

The mention of their parents felt at once familiar and foreign to Kaia. Back at the orphanage, she'd dreamed that if she ever had parents, she would be their beloved little princess.

She had waited day after day for 15 long years, and finally, her wish had come true. Now, she had a mother, a father, and a tall, handsome CEO for a brother.

But the cherished little princess wasn't Kaia—it was Wendy Larson, the fake heiress they had raised from childhood. They weren't Kaia's parents. They were Samuel and Wendy's.

Kaia inwardly mocked herself. She'd endured humiliation and scorn for three years in that house. She knew she wasn't welcome, so why go back just to face more contempt?

Her steps were slow, but she never stopped moving. Her icy demeanor and stubborn figure sent a sharp pang through Samuel, stirring an inexplicable surge of fury in his chest.

He pulled the car door open and crossed the distance between them in a few strides. Then, he seized her wrist and yanked her back. "Had enough of this act?"

Kaia stumbled and crashed to the ground, searing pain shooting through her broken leg like a knife. The color drained from her face.

Samuel's anger flared. "You really are addicted to playing the victim, aren't you? Don't forget—you're the one who pushed Lily down the stairs and left her in a vegetative state.

"You even tried to pin the blame on Wendy. Five years in prison, and you still haven't learned a thing. Looks like prison didn't straighten you out after all!"

He hauled Kaia off the ground without a shred of pity, his voice thick with disgust. "Don't think five years in prison would wipe your slate clean. You won't be forgiven until Lily wakes up.

"And you still owe Wendy an apology. Get in the car. Don't make me repeat myself."

Kaia found a bitter irony in his words. She had explained it before—she hadn't pushed Lily Graham; Wendy had. But no one believed her. They had all chosen to believe Wendy instead.

Kaia was the Larson family's true heiress, their own flesh and blood, yet they unquestioningly took Wendy's word over hers.

Kaia had undoubtedly been wrong. Coming home and hoping for a love that had never been hers was a mistake. She knew it, and she was ready to move on.

She would leave for a distant place, somewhere she wouldn't have to fight Wendy for their family's affection, where she would never be an unwelcome presence. Why couldn't Samuel just let her go?

Without saying a word, Kaia yanked her wrist free and took a step back, putting distance between them.

Her deliberate coldness left Samuel seething, his chest tight with frustration. His mind was flooded with memories of how she had once followed him like a devoted shadow, eager to please him in the most pathetic way.

He fought to keep his anger in check, forcing his voice to soften. "Come home with me."

Kaia kept her eyes down, her expression indifferent, as if she refused to look at him again.

That lifeless, miserable look on her face made it impossible for Samuel to contain his rage. She still hadn't learned a thing after five years in prison. The only change she experienced was growing a spine.

He was on the verge of snapping when a voice, warm as a spring breeze, reached his ears. "Kaia."

Kaia's body stiffened, and her numb heart twisted painfully in an instant. Even after five long years without hearing it, she recognized the voice at once. It was her childhood sweetheart, Connor Lynch.

A pair of polished dress shoes appeared in her line of sight, followed by a deep, magnetic voice from above her. "Kaia, congratulations on your freedom."

If anyone else had said those words, she would've politely replied, "Thank you."

But coming from Connor, they cut like knives. He had been her most trusted childhood friend and was now a brilliant lawyer. For his first case after graduation, he had stood in court as Wendy's defense lawyer and secured Kaia's conviction.

The day before the trial, Connor had said, "Kaia, Wendy's never faced real hardship. Prison would break her. Could you take the fall for her?"

Wendy couldn't survive it, but somehow she was supposed to? Was it because she knew suffering that she had to carry the weight of Wendy's crimes? Locking up the real Larson heiress had catapulted him to fame in Valoria.

Five years ago, fresh out of law school, he carried the awkwardness of the inexperienced. Now, he was Valoria's most sought-after lawyer, every gesture radiating effortless confidence.

They had grown up side by side in the orphanage, tied together by a bond stronger than blood.

Whenever the other kids picked on Kaia, Connor would jump in without hesitation, throwing punches if necessary and swearing with fierce conviction. "No one's going to hurt you while I'm around, Kaia."

He had even promised to study law, become a lawyer, and put anyone who dared hurt her behind bars. But when Wendy hurt her over and over, all Connor offered were dismissive words.

"Kaia, you're overreacting. Wendy would never do something like that."

In the end, he defended her tormentor in court and locked her behind bars. A heavy silence fell between them.

Connor's smile stiffened, but he forced it to stay as he reached for her. "Kaia, I came to—"

But before he could finish, Kaia turned to Samuel. "Weren't we heading home? Let's go."

Chapter 2 Why Didn't They Visit

Kaia knew there was no way out of this situation. Once her closest confidant, Connor was now the one she loathed and the last person she ever wanted to face.

Instead of facing Connor, she chose the lesser evil, which was to go with Samuel. At least with Samuel, his hatred for her had always been consistent.

On Kaia's first day at the Larson residence, he'd warned her, "Even if we share blood, Wendy's the only little sister I'll ever have. Stay in line. If I catch you bullying her, you'll regret it."

By never offering her hope, Samuel spared her deeper disappointment. The emotional toll was at least bearable with him. It was better than being torn apart by someone she had once held dear.

The prison had taught her a hard truth—when she was powerless, friendless, and utterly alone, survival meant mitigating the damage, no matter the cost.

When the other inmates tormented her, forcing her to choose between a scarred face and brutal slaps, she chose the slaps. When faced with the choice of beating or dropping to her knees, she chose to kneel. When the choice was between drinking from the toilet or barking like a dog, she chose the latter.

Kaia once fought back fiercely, but it only led to harsher punishment. In the end, survival meant sacrificing her dignity and submitting without question. She barely survived, even among the most ruthless convicts, by always choosing the lesser of two evils.

Kaia walked toward Samuel's black Bentley, brushing past Connor without a hint of recognition, her gaze locked ahead.

Her baggy T-shirt grazed Connor's fingers, the fabric hanging so limply it might as well have been draped over a clothes hanger.

His hand hung in the air, the stillness around him heavy. All he felt was that cold, ghostly touch brushing against his fingertips.

Pain and isolation flashed in his eyes. An unseen force gripped his heart, each beat a dull throb of pain.

There was a time when Kaia's eyes followed Connor everywhere, bright with unwavering trust. They had survived the orphanage together and were each other's only solace.

Every time he called for her, she'd respond with a smile, saying, "Connor, I'm here."

Now, she looked right through him as if he were air, refusing even the slightest acknowledgment.

Connor's lips quivered slightly. He was about to speak, but something seemed to lodge in his throat, and no words came.

Kaia slipped into the back seat, immediately surrounded by remnants of Wendy. The passenger seat was adorned with a fluffy pink cushion, while the dashboard featured a lineup of adorable pink teddy bears.

Wendy's photo hung from the rearview mirror. She looked more mature and captivating than she had five years ago. That glowing happiness felt like a deliberate jab as if Kaia were the fake heiress instead.

Kaia had thought she could face it all with detachment, but seeing it firsthand left her aching with the injustice she'd endured. She looked away, her eyes landing on the garment bag at her side.

Inside lay a pristine white gown. Even without seeing it fully, the lavish feathered details made it clear it was breathtaking.

She absently ran her fingers over the coarse denim of her jeans. Everything in the car made it painfully obvious she didn't belong. Even the bag carrying that gown was worth more than everything she wore.

Kaia stared out the car window, watching as the scenery rushed by in a blur.

Samuel, who was driving, seized the moment to warn her. "Mom and Dad have missed you terribly these past five years. They cried themselves to sleep night after night, their hair turning gray from grief.

"Drop the entitled princess act when we get home. I don't want to catch you scheming against Wendy or playing petty games for attention.

"Don't make things harder for them. The Larsons won't mistreat you as long as you behave." Once he finished speaking, silence stretched between them.

Samuel's irritation flared as she stayed silent. He shot her a look in the rearview mirror. "Kaia, I'm talking to you. Did you hear me?"

At last, Kaia met his gaze and said more than she had since leaving prison. "Under Article 48 of the Crelor Prison Law, inmates are allowed visits from family or legal guardians once a month for 30 minutes to an hour.

"I served five years—60 months—which should've accounted for 60 visits. But they never came. Why didn't they visit if they missed me so much? Were they really too busy to spare half an hour a month?"

Her voice stayed flat, but every word hit like a dagger, cutting through his lies.

A flicker of panic and guilt flashed in Samuel's eyes, and the reprimand he'd been about to deliver died in his throat. His gaze instinctively drifted away from Kaia's calm yet piercing stare. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white with the strain.

"I-it's because you're impossible to deal with. Mom and Dad didn't visit because they wanted you to focus on changing your bad behavior. They were doing what's best for you."

Best for her? As if forcing her to take the fall for Wendy and suffer through hell in prison was somehow for her own good. What a twisted idea of "good" that was.

Kaia was beyond done with this. She didn't want to look at Samuel anymore, so she turned her gaze back to the window.

The car soon pulled into the Larson residence garage. Samuel looked pleased. He grabbed the bag from the back seat and then turned to leave quickly.

But after only a few steps, he stopped short as if suddenly remembering Kaia. He turned back, embarrassment still flickering across his face. "Get properly dressed and head to the banquet hall."

With that, he turned and walked away, not sparing her another glance.

Even after five years, Kaia still found this house unfamiliar. She had never felt even the slightest warmth that resembled a home here. In fact, life here had been worse than at the orphanage.

She didn't have a private room at the orphanage, but her dormitory faced the sun. Sunlight flooded the space when morning came, filling it with an unexpected warmth.

Back then, Kaia loved the smell of sun-warmed blankets. For just a moment, it gave her a comforting illusion of home.

But after she finally returned home, she found it lacked the comforting scent of sun-warmed blankets. Instead, it smelled of the musty dampness of a place that hadn't seen sunlight in ages.

Kaia opened the door to find a small, windowless room crammed with clutter. The only furnishings were a single folding bed and a battered desk.

This storage room would freeze over in the winter and become a furnace in the summer. It had served as her bedroom at the Larson residence for three long years.

Samuel had told her to wear something decent as if she'd ever owned anything close to formal wear.

Her entire wardrobe consisted of nothing but a high school uniform. Even the T-shirt and jeans she wore now were ones she had bought online with her holiday job earnings, costing 39.90 dollars for the set.

Kaia remembered how she'd hoped to get Samuel's approval the first time she wore the new outfit, only to watch his face twist in disapproval.

"What are you wearing? Can't you dress a bit more decently, like Wendy? Take that off right now and throw it away. Don't even think about embarrassing the Larsons by wearing that out in public."

Chapter 3 She Had It All

Wendy's elegance and sophistication came from wealth and privilege. By comparison, Kaia had nothing. The Larsons gave her neither love nor financial support yet blamed her for not being polished enough.

Even now, she couldn't fathom why they had taken her in. Her only role in the family was to serve as a contrast, highlighting just how cherished Wendy, the fake heiress, truly was.

People said the unloved were the real outsiders, and nothing fit her situation more perfectly. There was a time when their injustice would've wounded her deeply. Now, she barely even felt it.

Kaia scanned the storage room. The only thing she could wear was that blue-and-white high school uniform. Five years ago, she received an acceptance letter from Crelor's most prestigious university, Crystalia University.

However, her parents, Benedict Larson and Amethyst Parker, threw an extravagant party to celebrate Wendy's acceptance. All of Valoria's elite were in attendance.

At 18, Wendy stood between Benedict and Amethyst, draped in a custom-made princess gown worth millions. A diamond-encrusted crown perched atop her head. She shone like a true princess amid the adoring guests.

Meanwhile, Kaia—dressed in shabby, outdated clothes—resembled an ugly duckling lost among swans.

Under the stunned gaze of the crowd, the police escorted her away, and she spent the next five years behind bars. She was stripped of the university life that should have been hers.

…

Five minutes later, Kaia, now fully dressed, headed toward the banquet hall of the Larson residence.

Helpers passed by, shooting her curious looks.

"Who is she? Why is she wearing a high school uniform?"

"Probably a waitress from Splendora Hotel. Looks like some high schooler picking up a summer job."

"Mr. Benedict and Mrs. Larson must really spoil Ms. Wendy. They even brought in the Splendora Hotel's head chef to throw this celebration for her."

"Tell me about it."

One of the helpers stopped beside Kaia and said, "The party's about to start. Go change into the standard uniform, and stay sharp while serving. Everyone here today's a big name in Valoria."

With that, they walked off.

Kaia stood frozen, suddenly unwilling to step into the banquet hall.

Samuel had only told her that Benedict and Amethyst were throwing a welcome party. He hadn't mentioned that outsiders were also invited.

Getting out of prison wasn't exactly something to celebrate. So why make such a spectacle out of it?

Back then, she'd been handcuffed and hauled away in front of all Valoria's elite. And now, they were throwing a grand affair, parading an ex-convict home before the same elite crowd.

To Kaia, this felt less like a welcome and more like a spectacle meant to expose her shame and peel away what little dignity she had left.

A bitter ache rose in her chest, laced with anger. She couldn't stand to stay another second and turned away.

But Samuel strode toward her, his face twisting in disgust the moment he saw her outfit. He picked up his pace, scowling as he barked at her.

"Didn't I tell you to dress properly? Why did you show up like this? Do you even know what kind of event this is?"

Kaia started to explain, but Samuel cut her off without a second thought. "First, you come back from prison acting like you're better than everyone, and now you're putting on this 'poor me' show, trying to make it seem like the Larsons mistreated you.

"You never change, Kaia. You're hopeless." He reached for her arm. "Go change your clothes. Don't embarrass us."

Kaia slipped out of his reach. With his hands empty, Samuel's fury flared. "How dare you slip away from me?"

Kaia locked eyes with him. The hatred in his gaze was all too familiar. She had endured that same contemptuous, impatient glare for three long years under the Larsons' roof.

Every time, an invisible force seemed to tear her heart apart. Tears would fill her eyes, but all she ever received was his cold reply, "Stop faking it."

Maybe Kaia had gotten used to looks like that. Or maybe five years in prison had stripped her of her pride.

Now, she felt nothing when Samuel's disgusted eyes met hers. Neither his love nor his hatred stirred anything in her anymore. Kaia raised her gaze to meet his, her expression calm and detached, her eyes showing neither submission nor defiance.

"I don't have a gown," she said.

Samuel's anger flared up. "Why didn't you just get one?"

Kaia took a deep breath. Samuel's prejudice against her ran too deep to overcome. No matter what she said, he would never believe her anyway.

She had tried explaining in the past. But the more she defended herself, the more he assumed she was hiding something, and the more ruthlessly he wronged her.

A wave of helplessness washed over her. She no longer had the energy to explain.

"I don't have the money," she said flatly.

Samuel's brow creased deeply, his anger burning so fiercely in his chest that he could no longer contain it.

"You had everything you needed during the three years you lived with us. Additionally, the company deposits half a million dollars into your account each month. That adds up to 18 million dollars over three years.

"Wasn't that enough for you to at least dress decently? But you still chose to wear cheap rags as if you were trying to make it look like the Larsons treated you like dirt.

"Kaia, seriously, stop being so selfish. You've thrown your tantrum, and we've already given you what you're owed. This has dragged on long enough. You're just being dramatic if you keep pushing!"

Kaia had expected this. No matter what she said, she would always be met with distrust.

She locked eyes with Samuel, her gaze sharp and unyielding. There was something about it that struck a pang of guilt in him.

"What's with the look? I didn't say anything wrong."

He wasn't wrong? Please, Kaia thought, scoffing inwardly. She hadn't intended to cause a scene, but Samuel's unrelenting hostility sparked a bitter defiance in her.

Something caught her attention—someone was drawing closer.

If they were going to cause a scene, she'd make sure it was unforgettable. Her dignity was already in ruins. What more did she have to lose?

She wondered if Samuel, so obsessed with appearances, could handle being publicly humiliated.

"I've never seen a single dime from the finance department—not half a million, not even 50 dollars. If you're going to accuse me of something, Mr. Larson, at least make it sound believable."

Samuel's gaze hardened with more disdain as he stared at Kaia. "You won't admit it unless you're forced to, huh, Kaia?

"Fine. You've got no choice now. Don't say I didn't warn you."

With that, he pulled out his phone, dialed the finance department, and put it on speaker. "Check how much the company deposits into Kaia's account monthly."

A hesitant voice came through the speaker. "Kaia? You mean Ms. Kaia Larson, right?"

"Yes."

"Mr. Larson, we don't need to look it up if it's Ms. Kaia."

Samuel frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"Actually, the finance department has never sent any money to Ms. Kaia's account."

"What did you just say?" Samuel could barely believe what he was hearing. No matter how unwelcome Kaia was, she was still a Larson. Of course, she would have an allowance.

The night Kaia came home, he met with Benedict and Amethyst in the study to decide how much allowance she should get.

They decided to give Kaia the same allowance as Wendy—half a million dollars a month—to avoid any hint of favoritism. Samuel could not have remembered it wrong.

"Didn't we already talk about this?"

"Mr. Larson, weren't you aware? Mrs. Larson said Ms. Kaia came from an orphanage, a place that tends to narrow a person's perspective. Unsavory influences surrounded her, and handing her half a million dollars all at once could have easily led her astray.

"Besides, Ms. Kaia was still in high school back then. She had everything she needed at the Larson residence. Since she didn't need to spend money, her allowance was canceled..."

Samuel's mind buzzed in disbelief as he listened. Canceled? So Kaia hadn't seen a single cent in the three years she'd lived at the Larson residence.

"By the way, Mrs. Larson raised Ms. Wendy's monthly allowance from half a million to one million dollars. She mentioned that with Ms. Kaia back, she was worried Ms. Wendy might be upset.

"The extra half a million was intended to compensate for it. I would assume you knew about this?"

Samuel felt as if someone had gripped him by the throat, leaving him struggling for air. He had no idea.

Chapter 4 The High School They Never Knew

More people gathered around Kaia and Samuel. The voice from the phone's speaker left everyone in stunned silence.

The Larsons might not have been the wealthiest family in Valoria, but they were certainly one of its most prominent.

It was common for children from wealthy families to receive monthly allowances of hundreds of thousands—or even millions. But none of them had ever heard of an heiress who didn't receive a single cent in allowance. The Larsons were the only exception to that.

It was no wonder Kaia's clothes were so shabby. She didn't even wear a proper gown to the party.

She was their flesh and blood, even if they never raised her. Yet they denied their own daughter a dime while lavishing millions on their adopted one. The Larsons' willingness to let this happen revealed their twisted sense of fairness.

The guests whispered among themselves, and Samuel felt their stares like knives against his back, his cheeks blazing. He couldn't fathom the Larsons facing such disgrace.

The Larsons were a wealthy, influential family. It was unthinkable that they'd deny a few hundred thousand in allowance to their own flesh and blood.

Samuel immediately turned to Kaia, his voice glacial. "Even if the finance department failed to process the transfer, surely Mom and Dad gave you an allowance?"

Kaia's lips twisted in a mocking smile as her eyes found Benedict and Amethyst in the crowd. Her tone was cool and detached. "Why don't you ask Mr. Benedict and Mrs. Larson directly, Mr. Samuel? We both know you'll take their word over mine."

Benedict and Amethyst stiffened, unable to look Kaia in the eye.

"Mom, Dad, you did provide Kaia with an allowance, didn't you?" Samuel asked, eyes locked on them.

Benedict looked away. "I thought you were taking care of it..."

Amethyst's face crumpled, tears glistening in her eyes. "I thought so, too... Kaia, why didn't you say something? I would've helped you immediately.

"This is all my fault. I should've noticed. You shouldn't have had to suffer like this. Please believe me., I've never treated you differently from Wendy."

Kaia offered Amethyst a half-smile. Under Kaia's indifferent stare, Amethyst lowered her gaze, embarrassed.

It was only today that Kaia learned Amethyst had instructed the finance department to withhold her allowance. To make matters worse, she'd even raised Wendy's monthly stipend to a million dollars, ensuring her precious adopted daughter wouldn't face the slightest hardship.

The favoritism was blatant, yet she still had the audacity to claim she treated them equally.

Amethyst came from high society, always draped in the finest fabrics and thinking nothing of dropping hundreds on a single pair of socks. How could she not notice her own flesh and blood wearing clothes that didn't even add up to 100 dollars, head to toe?

She wasn't blind to it—she just didn't care. Her apology? Nothing but a performance for outsiders.

But none of it mattered. Kaia had long since seen through the Larsons' true nature. Her heart had hardened, becoming impervious to her feelings. No expectations meant no weaknesses to exploit.

Watching Kaia dismiss Amethyst's apology, publicly humiliating the Larsons, Samuel's flicker of guilt vanished in an instant.

"Have you lost your tongue?" he snapped. "We're not mind readers. Did you really think we'd refuse to give you money if you'd just spoken up?"

"I did speak up," Kaia said, her voice soft but icy. "You just didn't listen."

Samuel frowned. He was about to deny it when a memory flashed through his mind.

One afternoon, the four Larsons sat together on the couch, chatting and laughing. Kaia edged closer, clutching the hem of her school uniform. Before she could speak, her face flushed red.

After a long pause, she finally whispered, "Mom, Dad, could I have 5,000 dollars? For tuition—"

Samuel slammed his newspaper onto the coffee table and glared at Kaia. "5,000 dollars? You mean 50 thousand, right? Or is it 50 million now?

"Money, money, money—is that all you ever think about? Did you come back just to drain us dry?

"Would you even be here if we weren't wealthy? I don't know why Mom and Dad ever brought you home.

"Why not study if you've got nothing better to do? Wendy ranked tenth in the entire school on her freshman midterms. What about you?"

"I-I was first—"

"Oh, sure, first from the bottom, and you're proud of that?"

Samuel was already sending her half a million dollars a month, yet here she was, brazenly demanding 50 million dollars. Even Wendy didn't get that much. What made her think she was entitled to it?

Kaia's tears spilled over as though she'd suffered some unbearable injustice.

Samuel was too irritable to focus on his financial newspapers. Luckily, Wendy knew exactly how to cheer him up.

She tugged his arm and cooed, "Sam, I came in tenth place this time. Don't I deserve a reward?"

He couldn't resist her sweet, pleading tone. His frustration with Kaia melted away instantly. He gently pinched Wendy's cheek and asked, "What would you like, Wendy?"

"There's a bag I really want. It costs 100 thousand dollars. Will you buy it for me, Sam?"

"Of course. If you love it, I'd buy it even if it were a million."

After appeasing Wendy, Samuel snapped at Kaia, his irritation flaring again. "Why are you still here? Go to your room and study."

Devastated, Kaia turned and fled.

Benedict and Amethyst sighed in unison. "If Kaia were even half as sensible as Wendy, things would be so much easier."

…

"Did you finally remember, Mr. Larson?"

Kaia's voice snapped him out of his thoughts, and every "Mr. Larson" she uttered tore at his heart like a blade.

He was her brother—her own flesh and blood—not some Mr. Larson. Yet ever since her release from prison, she hadn't called him "Sam," not even once.

Samuel's gaze turned stormy, his voice sharp with resentment. "It's because your grades were terrible. You should be ashamed to ask for money when you ranked dead last, let alone expect a reward."

Kaia's gaze turned icy, and under its weight, Samuel felt an inexplicable pang of guilt. He clenched his teeth. "What, now you're going to argue?"

"For three years in high school, I ranked first in my class. How does that make me dead last, Mr. Larson?"

Watching Samuel's stunned expression, Kaia smirked, vengeful satisfaction coiling in her chest. "But then again, Mr. Larson, you don't even know which school I attended. No surprise you're clueless about my grades."

Samuel stood frozen as if lightning had seared through him. The words hit like some absurd joke. A rough edge entered his voice. "You weren't at Solaris High?"

Solaris High School was Valoria's most prestigious high school—Wendy's alma mater and the go-to high school for every wealthy and influential family in the city. So naturally, Samuel had assumed Kaia went there, too.

He whipped toward Benedict and Amethyst, his voice shaking violently. "Mom, Dad, did you ever transfer Kaia's school since she came back?"

The air around them went dead silent. Benedict's face turned crimson. His mouth opened, but only incoherent fragments came out as if his spine had been ripped out, stripping away all his usual authority.

Amethyst's lips trembled faintly, her eyes wide with panic and helplessness. Not even her flawless makeup could hide her shame now. The two stood frozen, the air around them turning to ice.

Samuel's face paled gradually as his past assumptions about Kaia crumbled like a collapsing tower. All the condescension and disdain he'd once clung to now turned into blades, cutting mercilessly into him.

For a moment, he could barely speak, his throat tight and his voice shaking uncontrollably. "Kaia, which high school did you actually go to?"

Chapter 5 The Welcome Party That Wasn't

It was only after Kaia's life had been ruined that Samuel finally bothered to ask which high school she'd attended. How cruel the irony was.

For ten grueling years, she had studied relentlessly, desperate to carve out a better fate for herself. Just as her efforts were finally beginning to pay off, they were crushed beneath the weight of power. With just one careless sentence, the Larsons had dismissed her, condemning her to a living hell without hesitation.

Kaia could have had such a bright future.

From a young age, she'd known she lacked the status and connections that others took for granted. The only thing she could count on was her own extraordinary dedication to her studies.

Her dream had been to attend Crystalia University, earn a master's degree, and then pursue a Ph.D. She had wanted to become a professor, to stand at the podium and use her own strength to change the fates of those who, like her, had nothing but their will to succeed.

But reality had slapped her hard across the face, leaving her reeling. Instead of becoming the person she'd fought so hard to be, she was now a convict, despised by society. Her record was permanently stained, a mark that would last for three generations.

At the thought, Kaia clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug deep into her palms, yet she barely registered the pain.

"Valoria High School," Kaia said. Her voice was quiet, almost gentle. Yet her words crashed down like a landslide, crushing Benedict, Amethyst, and Samuel under their weight until they could barely breathe.

Valoria High School was the city's most academically prestigious school, attended by the brightest students. It was a world apart from Solaris High School, where money could buy admission. At Valoria High, grades mattered more than wealth.

Kaia had consistently ranked first in her school, even among the top students. That meant she wasn't just smart—she was unmatched. With her grades, Crystalia University was practically guaranteed.

"No way. You're lying." Samuel's voice cracked with disbelief. "Valoria High School is in the suburbs, over 18 miles from home. Back then, you were riding that rusty bicycle…"

The realization hit him mid-sentence, and his words trailed off.

As Samuel's face drained of color, Kaia's lips curled into a sneer. "I'd rather ride my bike than go to school with Wendy because we were never in the same school. I never had breakfast with you because Valoria High started classes at 6:00 am.

"I had to wake up at 4:00 am and bike for two hours just to make it on time. I never came home for lunch because the break wasn't long enough to bike back. I couldn't afford food, so I drank water to stave off hunger until evening.

"By the time I got home, you'd already eaten. All that was left were scraps, and even then, you'd call me 'trash-born' for not eating fresh meals, for devouring leftovers like a starved stray…"

"Kaia, I'm sorry." Tears streamed down Amethyst's face, her sobs raw with grief. "I had no idea how much you suffered. This is all my fault."

"You have nothing to apologize for." Kaia stared at her tear-streaked face calmly. "You didn't raise me. So why would you care?

"I've long grown used to it. A little more pain won't break me. Isn't that right, Mrs. Larson?"

Amethyst's breath hitched, her sobs strangling in her throat.

"Kaia, I'm begging you. You're stronger than Wendy. You've handled worse. You survived an orphanage. Prison would be nothing compared to what you've survived. Please, take the blame for Wendy."

The memory, buried for five years, slammed into Amethyst with vicious clarity. She clutched her chest under the weight of it like she was about to crumble.

Kaia watched her coldly, contempt simmering within her. There had been surveillance footage of the spot where Wendy pushed Lily down the stairs. But as soon as it happened, Amethyst erased the evidence that would have cleared Kaia's name.

Because of that, Kaia had stood in court with no defense.

"Enough!" Samuel snapped. "Cut the act. Fine, we failed you. I'll admit that. But do you honestly take no responsibility at all? You resented Wendy for having a better life and took it out on her to get back at us.

"You're the one with the bitter heart, pushing people away. Yet, instead of reflecting, you blame us for everything."

"Don't talk to Kaia like that, Samuel," Amethyst choked out between sobs.

"Mom, you're still defending her. She's been using our guilt to get away with everything. Otherwise, she never would've pushed Lily down the stairs, left her in a vegetative state, and then framed Wendy for it.

"We sent her to prison for five years, and now she's holding a grudge. That's why she's making a scene in front of everyone."

A pang of guilt shot through Amethyst. She glanced at Kaia, only to meet her mocking smile. Her chest tightened, and she quickly averted her eyes, ashamed.

"That's enough." Benedict cut in, his voice firm, his brow furrowed in disapproval. "Kaia, why didn't you tell us you were coming home? If we'd known, your mom and I would've gotten you a proper gown."

Kaia stiffened. "You didn't know I was getting out today?"

"Of course not. If we had, I'd have sent a car for you. How did you even get here, Kaia?"

Kaia turned to Samuel, her gaze cold and cutting. "I came in Mr. Larson's car. He told me you'd arranged a welcome party for me."

"A welcome party? I thought this was Ms. Wendy's birthday party."

"Exactly. My invitation said it was for Ms. Wendy's birthday. Since when did it turn into a welcome party for her?"

"Are we really supposed to celebrate an ex-convict coming home? What a joke."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. A flush of embarrassment spread across Samuel's face. He parted his lips to speak, but words failed him.

Kaia scoffed to herself. Of course, she had been the joke all along.

Benedict and Amethyst had only remembered Wendy's birthday. It hadn't even crossed their minds that today was also the day Kaia was released from prison.

And the welcome party Samuel had mentioned? Just a gesture of pity tacked onto Wendy's birthday party.

A hollow ache settled in Kaia's chest. What had she expected? She couldn't stomach another second of their empty pleasantries. She spun on her heel and walked away.

Suddenly, a white figure rushed toward her. Kaia tried to sidestep, but her injured leg made it impossible for her to do so.

The figure crashed into Kaia with a heavy thud, sending her sprawling. Pain shot through her elbow and leg. Her face contorted in pain, her already pale skin turning ghostly white.

Gritting her teeth against the pain, Kaia looked up to see Benedict, Amethyst, and Samuel huddled around a young woman in an elaborate white feathered gown, fussing over her.

"Wendy, are you alright? Did it hurt? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Wendy's eyes welled with tears, her nose and the corners of her eyes reddening in exaggerated distress. "Mom, Dad, Sam, it hurts so much…"

She sobbed.

Instantly, the Larsons stiffened, checking her over in panic. "Where does it hurt, Wendy? Did Kaia hurt you when she bumped into you just now?"

Without thinking, Samuel yelled at Kaia, "Are you blind?"