Chapter 1

At the godparent announcement gala, Lily’s son was wearing the heirloom emerald pendant my mother had left for my future child.

I lunged forward to grab it back, but Ethan shoved me away hard.

"Chloe, are you seriously stealing from a toddler?"

My father’s hand came down in a sharp slap across my cheek.

"Your mother died when you were young. Did no one teach you decency?"

My stepmother, Eleanor, supported Lily, letting out a soft sigh.

"Your sister didn't grow up with the privileges you had, Chloe. Why can't you just let her have this one thing?"

My younger brother, Leo, sneered.

"Chloe, you look pathetic right now. Like a psycho."

With tearful eyes, Lily shrank back into Ethan’s embrace.

"If Chloe really wants it back, I'll give it to her. I don't want any trouble."

Ethan ripped the emerald pendant off the boy's neck and threw it onto the floor.

He looked down at me coldly.

"You're acting like a lunatic over a dead woman's cheap trinket?"

My head buzzed. I reached out to pick it up.

But before my fingers could touch the jade, my foot slipped.

My stomach slammed violently against the stone steps.

Blood quickly soaked through my dress.

Ethan looked down at me, his eyes filled with nothing but impatience.

"Playing dead on the floor like a drama queen. Who are you putting this show on for?"

The guests around us couldn't help but chuckle.