Chapter 1

Tags: True Heiress, Pick-Me Stepsister, Biased Fiance, Female Awakening, Groveling Ex, Career Glow-Up

Early on my birthday morning, Chloe and Ethan blew up our Snapchat group.

[Brooke, I booked that rooftop restaurant for you. Dress to the nines tonight. I'll be waiting!]

[Yes, Brooke, we planned a massive surprise for you! Hurry over!]

I spent the entire afternoon getting ready.

Yet the second I pushed open the VIP lounge door, a bucket of freezing ice water dumped straight over my head!

"Haha! I can't believe you fell for it! Damn, there goes my yacht."

"I won the bet! That yacht is mine now! Brooke, surprised? Happy birthday!"

I stood there shivering violently while the two of them doubled over in laughter.

They were already planning their next prank.

Like stuffing my burger with fiery wasabi, forcing me to skydive when they knew I was terrified of heights, or shoving me into the deep end when I couldn't swim.

All my rage and humiliation, in their eyes, was always brushed off with a casual:

"Come on, we won't do it again. You're just so sweet and easygoing."

I had listened to that excuse for ten years.

I looked down, wiping the water from my face. I didn't cry, and I didn't scream.

Because at midnight, the Vance family had promised to let me go.

I would no longer be the obedient real heiress keeping her head down, nor would I be Ethan's arranged fiancee chained to a loveless match.

Happy birthday, Brooke.

You're finally free.

Seeing no tears or screams on my dripping face, Ethan pulled a designer gift box from his pocket and offered it to me.

"Here. For you. Happy birthday!"

I glanced at Ethan and kept my hands at my sides.

"Thanks. I'll take the wish, but keep the gift."

With that, I gathered my drenched hem and turned to leave.

Ethan frowned, but he didn't stop me.

Chloe, however, grabbed my arm, pouting in her signature baby voice.

"Brooke, are you really mad?"

"Okay, okay, we won't do it again. You know we only mess with you because you never hold a grudge."

She pushed a shiny set of keys into my palm.

"Look, I'll just give you the yacht. I begged Ethan for it forever, and he only gave it up because he lost the bet today. It was just a harmless joke. Don't take it to heart."

"Come on, let's get you changed, okay?"

Looking at Chloe's sweet smile, an alarm bell went off in my gut.

Still, thinking it was my birthday, I assumed they wouldn't cross the line twice in one hour. I nodded.

Two steps forward.

A heel slammed down on the train of my dress from behind. Caught completely off guard, I crashed violently forward. My knees hit the hardwood floor with a sickening thud, knocking the breath straight out of me.

Behind me, Ethan and Chloe burst into deafening cheers.

"Hahaha! Brooke fell for it again! I win again! Ethan, you're buying me that Birkin tomorrow!"

"Only because Brooke is way too gullible! If I'd known, I wouldn't have hidden the prank in the box—it made it too hard to win."

Grumbling, Ethan tossed the gift box to the floor.

The lid snapped open.

A giant fake tarantula sprang out.

Another prank.

Chloe finished giggling, then casually drifted over to lend me a hand.

"Thanks, Brooke. When Ethan buys me the bag tomorrow, I'll lend you one of mine!"

I shoved her hand away and pushed myself off the floor, stumbling as I rose.

A throbbing pain shot up my bruised knees, and water was still dripping from my gown.

"Keep it."

"I'm going to change. Excuse me."

Chloe pouted, feigning innocence as she stepped aside.

Ethan caught the look on her face and rushed after me to play mediator.

"Why take it out on Chloe?"

"She's younger. Cut her some slack. She's just playful. I..."

I ignored him, stepped into the restroom, and slammed the door shut.

When I came out in fresh clothes, Ethan was still laughing with Chloe.

Seeing me, he tried to step in with his patronizing tone again.

"Still pouting? I told you, Chloe's young. You should just—"

"She's young, but are you? Pulling this stunt on my birthday—do you have even an ounce of respect for me as your fiancee?"

I stared Ethan dead in the eye and snapped back.

Then I turned my gaze onto Chloe.

"Not that it matters. Starting tomorrow, she's not my sister anyway."