Chapter 2The Heiress Who Walked Away

Just like in my past life, I was adopted by the Sterling family.

They fed me and clothed me, but offered no warmth.

After a while, seeing I was quiet and obedient, Vanessa's attitude softened.

Chloe was lively and fearless.

I tried to avoid this family, but every morning, my door was pounded on by little Chloe.

She screeched like a monkey.

"Hazel! Wake up! Let's go play!"

I rolled over, covering my ears.

Silence.

Five minutes later, thump thump thump on the window.

I climbed out of bed, hair messy, full of resentment.

Chloe was standing on a ladder, grinning at me with big teeth.

Below her, terrified nannies held the ladder.

I opened the window, trying to scare her off with coldness.

"Human interaction requires boundaries. We aren't close. You're crossing the line."

Chloe, the six-year-old social butterfly, blinked her empty little head.

She processed my words and replied with absolute nonsense.

"What? We're eating steak today? But if it's not well-done, we'll get a tummy ache."

I took a deep breath.

Before I could speak, someone shouted from the gate.

"Chloe!"

A figure sprinted over. Seeing Chloe so high up, his face went pale.

Ethan carefully held the ladder and helped Chloe down.

He checked her for injuries frantically.

Then he glared at me coldly.

"This is the Sterling house. You're an outsider. You dare bully her?"

Chloe scratched his arm.

"No! She didn't bully me! I went to find her!"

Ethan froze. The nanny quickly explained it was Chloe's idea.

He looked at me with a complicated expression, mouth opening as if to speak.

I closed the window without a word.

Maybe because of the ladder incident, Ethan didn't like me.

My room was next to Chloe's. Great sunlight.

Vanessa didn't mistreat me materially. She had the maid clean it up for me.

But after I unpacked, I found the wall between our rooms had been knocked down.

The maid was confused and anxious. "We... we weren't told about this."

Ethan's voice came from behind, strong and non-negotiable.

"Chloe needs space for her things. Go to the third floor and pick a room."

The third floor was empty. Cold and lifeless.

I stood at the door, holding my suitcase.

Ethan glanced at me, his tone slightly softer. "If you have a lot of stuff, let the maid help you."

The maid took my suitcase. She was surprised by the weight.

"It's so light."

Ethan frowned, accusingly. "You haven't even finished packing?"

I explained calmly.

"I have two outfits and some trinkets. This suitcase holds everything I own."

Ethan's eyes flickered. He hesitated.

"Maybe you should stay here..."

"No need. I'll move."

I cut him off.

Ethan was hostile toward me.

He always thought I would bully Chloe or steal her things.

I found it funny.

We can't choose our birth. Blood is set. I can't change it.

I never wanted to fight Chloe for anything.

This time, I just want to live.

The "Real Heiress" title doesn't matter.

If I stay away, maybe Chloe and I can both survive.

Seeing my avoidance, Ethan seemed to realize I found him annoying.

He stopped bothering me.