Chapter 1The Inheritance of Strangers

Before my dad took his last breath, he left me a huge surprise.

He told me my mom wasn't dead. She had remarried, taking my two older sisters with her.

I left our small trailer park to find her, only to discover I didn't just have two sisters anymore. I had...

One, two, three, four new siblings.

The eldest sister, the CFO of the family empire: "Pick a gem, Leo. Can't decide? Just take them all."

The second sister, Hollywood's new "It Girl": "I got you VIP tickets to my concert, front row center! It's all yours."

Even the stepsister who isn't related by blood...

"Little brother, drink your milk. You need to grow taller. Eat more, okay?"

And the formerly arrogant, rebellious stepbrother...

"Who bullied my little brother? Get out here, I'll kick your ass!"

Me...

I guess I'm just going to lie down and enjoy the ride!

* * *

My dad died. Before he croaked, he told me to find my mom.

With no idea where to start, I embarked on the journey to find her.

Mrs. Miller from the trailer next door tearfully stuffed homemade biscuits into my tattered backpack. "Leo, honey, don't go hungry."

I hugged her and took the water bottle from old Mr. Henderson. "Leo, stay hydrated."

Finally, Uncle Bob, the mechanic, rubbed my head and threw me onto the Amtrak heading to Boston.

He said, "Your mom married rich. If she doesn't want you, use your secret weapon."

I carried my small backpack, tears in my eyes, feeling like a lost puppy.

I shouted into the wind, "Uncle Bob, what... is... my... secret... weapon?"

No one answered. Only the echo from the canyon replied.

Scared as I was, I eventually stood shakily at South Station in Boston.

Clutching the address, I rang the doorbell of a massive villa in a wealthy suburb.

The woman who opened the door was dressed impeccably. She looked me up and down. "Who are you looking for?"

I fidgeted with my fingers. "I... I'm looking for my mom. Her name is Elizabeth."

"Come in." Although suspicious, she let me in and made a call. "Mrs. Sterling, there's a young boy downstairs. He says he's looking for you."

Before long, a woman walked down the grand staircase.

I marveled at the place. It was like a palace. They even used an intercom to talk.

"Leo?" The woman was beautiful, with barely any wrinkles under her eyes. She wore a silk robe and pulled me into a tight hug.

I froze, feeling the softness and the strange sensation. Is this... Mom?

"It's Mom, it's Mom. Leo, I missed you so much."

The beauty wept, tears rolling down like crystal beads.

"Mom?" I tentatively asked.

"Yes!"

She hugged me tighter and rubbed my hair.

"Quick! Call Victoria and Chloe back!"

My beautiful mom started giving orders.

"Who are they?" I asked, confused.

"Your sisters." She held my hand and led me upstairs. "Your dad had a gambling problem back then, and you were too young. I could only take your sisters and run. I planned to come back for you later, but you found us first."

I whispered, "Dad died."

Maybe it was my imagination, but she paused for a second before bending down. "Mom will treat you better. I'll be so good to you, Leo."

"Stay here, okay?"

Her eyes were gentle. I widened my eyes and nodded obediently.

Soon, she cleaned me up and led me downstairs. Just as we reached the steps, someone pushed the front door open.

The woman seemed to carry a cold wind with her. Her gaze was sharp. She put her briefcase aside and started unbuttoning her coat.

I instinctively stepped back. Mom led me down.

"Leo, this is your eldest sister." Mom explained gently.

"Hi, big sis," I lowered my head, sneaking glances at her.

The woman squatted down, her eyes full of smiles.

"Leo, you've grown so much."

She pinched my cheek, her smile deepening.

"I'm back! I'm back! I'm back!" Someone shouted, rushing through the door.

"My brother is here?"

"Where is he?"

The moment our eyes met, we both screamed.

"Ahhhhh! Chloe Sterling!"

She vaulted over the sofa with one hand. The next second, a beautiful face was magnified in front of mine.

I almost stopped breathing. Even in my remote trailer park, I had seen her commercials on TV.

America's Sweetheart, Chloe Sterling!

She's my second sister!

I started to suspect this was all a dream.

"Leo, did you miss me?" Chloe pinched my cheek too. Not satisfied with one, she pinched both sides.

"Leo was too small back then," the eldest sister crossed her arms, stating a fact.

I nodded unconsciously. "Yeah."

"It's okay, you'll remember later. Chloe loves you the most! I saved a ton of fun stuff for you!"

Chloe grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the stairs.

"Let's eat first. Leo traveled a long way. He'll see the stuff later," Mom said gently.

"Madam, Mr. Sterling says he'll be back soon. Miss Harper and Master Ethan... said they aren't coming home tonight."

A trace of helplessness flashed across Mom's face. "I know."

"Harper and Ethan aren't coming back again?"

The eldest sister sat aside, flipping through a file, her voice cold.

"They've been acting out lately. Maybe Uncle needs to talk to them," Chloe said, twirling a lock of my hair.

Mom sighed and called me over, showing me a photo.

"Leo, this is your Uncle Richard, my current husband." The man in the photo was handsome and sharp.

"This is Harper, Uncle Richard's daughter." The girl in the photo looked a bit disgruntled.

"Her eyes are blue!" I exclaimed.

"Yes, her mother was French," Mom explained.

"Oh, okay," I nodded obediently, earning a round of head rubs from my sisters.

"This is Ethan, Uncle Richard's son."

The boy had great hair, but the corners of his mouth turned down. He looked full of angst.

"He's handsome," I praised sincerely.

"Our Leo is the best looking!" Chloe puffed out her cheeks and muttered. I pursed my lips and shook my head.

"Haha, let me see the handsome boy!" A hearty male voice came from the door, footsteps heavy.

I looked up. The man was tall; I had to crane my neck to see him. He was strong, completely different from my sisters. He looked... safe.

He half-squatted and reached out. "Come here, let Uncle see."

I moved from Mom's arms, curiously observing him.

"Hello, Uncle."

"Hello, Leo!"

"How old are you?" He let me look at him, asking softly.

"Eighth grade," I answered obediently.

He rubbed my face, grinning from ear to ear. Suddenly, he lifted me up and placed me on the dining chair. He rubbed my head. "Let's eat!"

Mom smiled and sat down. My sisters sat beside me.

"Eat up. After dinner, I'll show you something cool!" Chloe whispered.

"Chloe, less talking, more eating!" Mom interrupted.

"It's fine. She can talk to Leo," Uncle Richard said warmly.

My sisters both looked up, surprised by his words.

Mom paused for two seconds before saying, "Oh, okay."

"Which room does Leo want?" Uncle Richard asked while putting food in my bowl.

"Victoria works late, don't disturb him. Chloe is rarely home, but when she is, she's loud. The room behind theirs is a storage room, you can't stay there."

"Uncle Richard!"

Chloe pouted, looking annoyed.

I shook her hand under the table, signaling I'd see her toys later.

"You are loud!" Victoria nodded in agreement and offered a suggestion.

"Leo can stay in the room next to mine. Good lighting."

Uncle Richard thought for a moment. "Okay, that one. If Harper and Ethan have complaints, tell them to come to me."

I wondered why they would complain. I found out when I moved in.

We were neighbors.