Chapter 1The Spoiler Effect

Since I was little, I’ve been like a shadow, trailing behind my older brother, Tyler.

To the outside world, we were the enviable siblings of the wealthy Shen family, raised in the lap of luxury. Our birthdays were lavish garden parties at our estate, the kind people posted about on Instagram for weeks.

Tyler was the undisputed king of our social circle. Handsome, athletic, a piano prodigy, and effortlessly cool. He was every girl’s crush and every parent’s benchmark for "the perfect son."

And me? I was his personal assistant disguised as a sister.

He chased the school queen bee; I delivered the love notes. He skipped class to hit the arcade; I covered for him during roll call. He didn't feel like doing homework; I pulled all-nighters finishing his essays.

Don't ask why. The answer is simple: I’m the adopted daughter, Chloe.

When we were kids, Tyler used to terrify me. He’d say he was the boss of the house, and if I didn't listen to him, he’d have Mom and Dad ship me back to the foster system in a cardboard box.

That one sentence traumatized me into a people-pleaser. I spent my life nodding and "yes, brother"-ing my way through existence.

Until today. Tyler sent me on another errand to buy a specific artisanal sandwich for his crush, Jessica.

Halfway there, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Tyler: [Yo, short stack, did you get the breakfast yet?]

I was out of breath. [Quit rushing me. The bakery is halfway across town. I'm not doing this next time.]

He replied with a smug emoji: [You always say that, but you always do it. By the way, I’m broke. Spent my allowance on a gift for Jessica. Put the errand fee on my tab.]

[Also, your new 'brother' is coming home today. You better stand with me. When he gets here, we need to put him in his place.]

Sure enough, when I walked through the front door, I saw a stranger standing in the darkest corner of the foyer.

His messy bangs covered his eyes, his head hung low. He wore a faded, thrifted hoodie and looked too thin, like a gust of wind could knock him over. His hands were rough, calloused from hard labor.

But when he looked up, I froze.

Tyler was considered the gold standard of looks, but this guy? He was on another level.

He looked exactly like Mom—deep-set eyes, sharp features. He had that rare "tragic beauty" vibe, a mix of destitution and inherent nobility that clashed perfectly.

His name was Sebastian. He was Mom’s biological son, switched at birth.

In other words, Tyler had stolen his life and enjoyed seventeen years of wealth that belonged to him.

But even with Sebastian standing right there, Mom instinctively patted Tyler’s hand, soothing him. "Don't worry, Ty. You will always be the most important child in this house."

Mom’s attitude was my compass. I knew the drill: keep sucking up to Tyler.

Sebastian, who had suffered in poverty for nearly two decades, radiated alienation. But his eyes... they were like a wolf’s. Wild.

He said nothing, just staring at Mom until she squirmed.

Finally, Mom walked over and gave him a stiff hug. "I'm sorry, my child. You've suffered so much."

Tyler chose that moment to let out a mocking laugh. "Mom, you guys are the real family. Now that you're reunited, should I pack my bags?"

Mom panicked instantly. She pushed Sebastian away and rushed to grab Tyler’s hand. "What are you saying? You are my baby. My precious son."

From an angle Mom couldn't see, Tyler smirked at Sebastian. A look of pure victory.

Sebastian’s expression didn't change. It was as if Mom’s love—or lack thereof—didn't matter to him.

But I saw it. A flicker of loneliness in his eyes.

Mom turned to him. "Sebastian, don't mind him. Tyler is a victim in this, too."

Suddenly, floating translucent text appeared in the air before my eyes, like a livestream chat.

[Are you kidding me? Tyler benefited the most! How is he a victim?] [Exactly. Tyler lived like a prince for 17 years while Sebastian got beaten by an abusive foster dad.] [I wish I could be a 'victim' like that.]

I blinked, but the text remained. Sebastian stayed silent.

Mom pulled me forward. "Chloe, be a good girl. Say hello to your new brother."

Behind me, Tyler pinched my arm—a signal.

He wanted me to bully the new kid. Usually, I’d stick my chin up and say something bratty like, "He doesn't look like my brother."

The floating text scrolled faster: [Here it comes. The classic scene. The villainess sister tells Sebastian to get lost, destroying his last shred of hope for this family.] [Ugh, poor Sebastian. Coming home just to be bullied by these demon siblings.] [Don't worry. Sebastian becomes the ruthless CEO later. He bankrupts these two idiots. They end up fighting stray dogs for food under a bridge.]