Chapter 3The Heiress Who Walked Away

Vanessa was satisfied with my obedience.

She sent me to the same private school as Chloe.

If a child is a cicada, Chloe was ten cicadas screaming all summer.

In elementary school, we were desk mates.

Whenever the teacher wasn't looking, Chloe tugged my sleeve, whispering like a thief.

"Hazel, let's buy candy after school. We can dodge the driver."

I kept a straight face, pretending to be deaf.

Chloe got anxious.

"Hazel, Hazel, Hazel..."

Before she finished, the teacher was looming over us.

"What are you two doing?"

I stood in the hallway with Chloe for the whole period, numb.

For the next few years, this became routine.

Chloe buzzed in my ear year after year.

The summer after middle school graduation was a rare break.

Grades are social currency for rich moms. Chloe and I both did well.

Vanessa was proud.

She gave us each a credit card, smiling. "Go have fun."

Chloe excitedly planned a graduation trip.

That evening on the balcony, only Vanessa and I remained.

She sat in a rocking chair, looking at my grades on her phone. Her gaze was scrutinizing, but softened by my performance.

"You know your mother and I didn't get along. I wasn't planning to raise you."

Vanessa was blunt.

My fingers clenched.

"To be honest, if not for the inheritance, I wouldn't have taken guardianship. But people have feelings. I treat you like my own daughter. When you turn eighteen, the money is yours."

She said.

I remembered she said the same thing in my past life.

In the end, when Chloe died, those words meant nothing.

I exhaled deeply, calming myself.

I took the card and thanked her.

"Thank you, Auntie. I won't let you down."

I turned to leave, but she called me.

Her hair glowed in the sunset. Her face was soft, like a dream.

She patted my shoulder.

"Hazel, I'm proud of you too."

I prepared myself for a lecture, but her words made my eyes sting.

In that moment, I wanted to call her Mom.

I wanted to dig up the truth and ask her: Why do you give kindness to your niece, but not a shred of mercy to your own daughter?

But I couldn't.

I swallowed the words.

Back in my room, I slid down the door and cried silently.

Rich kids like Ethan usually intern at the family company after graduation, their paths set.

I knew after the trip, Vanessa would send us to the best high school.

A bright future for a Sterling child.

But Mom.

I don't want to be your child anymore.