Chapter 2

The entire living room went dead silent.

Chloe pressed on.

Senior finals and college applications are right around the corner. If she changes her name now, all the paperwork has to be updated. We'd have to explain everything to the teachers and the students.

We just told everyone she's a charity case. If we suddenly say she’s your biological daughter, who’s going to believe that

What will my friends think

What if people assume she’s Dad’s secret love child from an affair

Mom, Dad, I’m just thinking about our family. The company is trying to secure funding right now. If a random girl suddenly pops up...

Finally, David cleared his throat, making the call.

Maya, Chloe makes a valid point. There’s only senior year left anyway. Let’s just wait. Changing your name now causes too much hassle. It’ll be much easier once you start college. New teachers, new peers—nobody will ask questions.

I stood there, saying nothing.

The name-change petition from City Hall was still tucked neatly inside my backpack.

Maya What do you say Helen urged, annoyed by my silence.

What did I say Did my opinion even matter

Still, I wanted to give them one last chance to be parents.

I looked at Chloe. You don't want me to take the family name. You told the whole school I'm a charity case. Are you really that terrified I’ll take Mom and Dad’s love away from you

The second the words left my mouth, Chloe burst into tears.

How could you think of me like that! she sobbed. The day you came back, I offered to give you my bedroom!

Right. The housekeeper had already told me that story.

When the Millers first located me, Chloe had dramatically packed her bags, crying that she would move into the storage closet so I could have her master suite.

She had claimed that an orphan with no real parents should be grateful just to have a closet, so how could she dare ask for a luxury bedroom

Her performance had triggered Helen’s fierce maternal instincts. Helen swore Chloe would always be their true daughter.

Meanwhile, they decided that a girl raised in an orphanage shouldn't be handed a lavish room right away. They said giving me too much luxury too fast would ruin my character.

So, that storage closet became my bedroom.

They claimed it was a transition period to help me adapt to wealth.

Maya! How can you be so cruel to Chloe! Helen’s sharp voice dragged me back to reality.

We raised Chloe from birth! Even though you’re back, we won't love her any less!

I froze. I hadn't expected Helen to be the first one to defend Chloe so fiercely.

I remembered the first time Helen saw me at the shelter. She had rushed forward, sobbing, and threw her arms around me.

She said, My baby girl... Mom finally found you. Come home with me!

I truly believed I finally had a home.

I didn't realize that home belonged exclusively to Chloe.

I heard my own voice say, Fine. I understand. Let's drop the name change.

At least it would save me the trouble of changing it back later.

Without another word, I carried my backpack upstairs to my room.

The storage room had a flimsy hollow-core door with zero soundproofing.

Through the crack, I heard the happy family of three downstairs.

Chloe was still sniffing. Mom, Dad, I really didn't mean it that way...

Helen comforted her gently. Mom knows, sweetie. Maya just got here. She doesn't understand you yet.

David chimed in, Exactly. A shelter kid simply lacks class and proper manners. How could she compare to you, Chloe We raised you with grace for seventeen years.

...

I sat at my desk, pulled the name-change petition from my bag, and stared at the name printed on it Maya Miller.

With a cold, steady hand, I tore it into shreds.