Chapter 1

I'm a star teacher at the senior community college, fluent in music, painting, chess, and calligraphy alike.

After the Sanchez family reclaimed me as their real daughter, I wanted to fit in, so I turned everything I taught in class on my own parents.

Dad used my baiting method and pulled up a fifty-pound fish.

Mom's ballroom dancing improved so fast she became the brightest new star in the socialite circle.

In under two months, the way my parents looked at me had gone from "You're back" to "You're finally back."

Maya Sanchez, the fake daughter, thought I was trying to squeeze her out of the family, and watched me with pure suspicion.

Heaven knows I teach at school all day and come home to teach some more at night. Where would I even find the time for that?

My brother, Joel Sanchez, was convinced this was my little tactic to fight for the family's affection.

"You can't fool me. If you're trying to drive Maya out, I'll be the first to say no!"

I just shook her off. These two had too much time on their hands, marinating in their alpha-CEO romance novels all day.

Then, at my own recognition banquet, all because one of the wives praised me for carrying myself more like a real heiress.

Maya couldn't hold it in. She burst into tears and ran out.

Joel leaned against the stair railing, sneering.

"You're finished! Grandpa and Grandma love Maya most. They've given her everything she's ever wanted since she was little."

"Now that she's crying, you're done for in this family."

I followed his gaze to the new family portrait on the wall, and froze.

Wait, wasn't that... my dear, favorite students, Russell Sanchez and Naomi Sanchez?

...

"Where's Maya?" Mom came hurrying over, out of breath.

Joel deliberately turned his face away and gave a cold huff.

"Mom, every third word out of you is Daisy Sanchez, and now you suddenly remember Maya?"

"You all upset her so badly she ran off ages ago!"

His eyes drifted my way, on purpose and not, trying to pin the blame on me.

I gave an innocent shrug, exasperated. It wasn't like I could control who other people chose to praise.

I was about to explain when Mom didn't take his line at all. She fixed him with a hard glare and shouted.

"Then what are you standing there for? Go after her!"

"You think Maya's going to come back on her own just because you finished tattling to me?"

"What am I, some saint you can make wishes to?"

Joel was so choked he bared his teeth. He wanted to snap back but didn't dare, so he trudged off after her, sulking.

Back in the banquet hall, Dad and I were chatting with a few of the older gentlemen, and I didn't even notice when the two of them came back.

The elders had just gotten onto the subject of their children when Maya sidled up, all sour.

"Must be nice for you, sis, so carefree all day."

"Not like my brother and me. We have to help run the company and land deals. Never a moment's peace."

I was a little lost for words. Why was she coming at me again?

"Maya, don't talk nonsense."

"I'm plenty busy every day, thank you."

I couldn't help it. Dad's obsessed with wild fishing lately, so the second I'm off work I have to go find fishing spots with him.

At night I get home and have to be Mom's dance partner for a solid half hour. Compared to me, the poor souls grinding nine-to-nine-six workweeks are practically on vacation.

Sure enough, someone's interest was piqued, and he asked what I did for work.

"Daisy, which department are you in at the family company? What area do you handle?"

In Maya's mind, these rich heirs were all alpha CEOs, and a mere teacher like me wouldn't measure up. She was certain I'd be mortified, with nowhere to hide.

But I saw nothing shameful in it. Without a flicker of nerves, I waved a hand easily.

"I don't hold any position at the family company. I teach, out on my own."

A look of triumph flashed across Maya's face. She was sure I was about to be laughed at.

But the gentlemen only blinked for a couple of seconds, and then, to the contrary, their faces filled with envy.

"A teacher, that's wonderful! Never wanting for anything, respectable, and all that free time!"

"Exactly! Summer and winter breaks, you get to be with family every single day."

"This Daisy girl really has done well for herself."

"Old Morgan Sanchez's a lucky man. This isn't just finding your real daughter, it's slipping into a warm little sweater right before retirement!"

Dad grinned so wide he couldn't close his mouth, pride written all over him.

"Hahahaha, well, that's what you all get for not being able to have a daughter."

Maya's mouth twitched, the smile freezing on her face.

The gentlemen's words landed right where it counted for me. At the senior community college, I've seen the whole range of how life treats people, warm and cold.

So many of them had it all in their younger years, only to grow old with no one left to even talk to.

Ask why, and it's always the same: the children are busy, the children have their own careers.

But no matter how little they claim to mind, that loneliness in their eyes is something they can never quite hide.

Thinking of that, I made up my mind to tell Dad about Grandpa and Grandma, so Maya couldn't keep jerking the old folks around.

Maya still wouldn't let it go, forcing a smile as she spoke.

"You've got it wrong, gentlemen. My sister isn't an elementary or middle school teacher."

"It's the senior community college."

"Forget summer and winter breaks. She doesn't even have a tenured position!"

The huge banquet hall seemed to hit pause, gone suddenly silent.