Chapter 1Chasing Freedom

I was the fake heiress of a billionaire family. When the real daughter finally returned, everyone waited for me to lose my mind and fight for their affection.

Instead, I packed my bags with record speed. "I can finally leave? Oh my god, thank you. Thank you so much."

The real heiress stared at me in shock. "You don't hate me?"

I patted her shoulder. "Girl, do you have any idea what the rules are in this house?"

"Six in the morning cardio, eight at night curfew, absolute silence at the dinner table, and every single date has to be approved by a corporate board..."

The color slowly drained from her face.

I gave her a flashy wave. "Good luck with all that. I'm off to taste freedom!"

* * *

"Incoming call from Bruce. Incoming call from Bruce."

I was slacking off at the office, totally engrossed in a raid on my computer. The sudden ringtone from the family butler startled me so badly my hand jerked, and my character died instantly.

"Miss Jenica, Mr. Collins wants you back at the main estate immediately."

I sat up straight, my eyes darting to the calendar in the bottom right corner of my screen. My chest tightened.

Could it be that day?

"Bruce, is it..."

"Yes," Bruce replied, his tone heavy with gravity. "Miss Lily's DNA results just came back. Your father has already dispatched a motorcade to pick her up."

I shot out of my office chair like a rocket.

In the next cubicle, Gwen was still glued to her screen. My sudden movement made her jump, her eyes wide.

"Did you win the lottery or something? Why do you look so happy?"

"Better than the lottery!" I shut down my computer at lightning speed, grabbing the little potted succulent from my desk and shoving it into my tote bag. "I'm finally free!"

"Okay, but why are you stealing company property?"

"I've watered this thing for three years. We have an emotional bond."

Half an hour later, I stood at the towering wrought iron gates of the Collins estate, taking a deep breath.

This is the last time, Jenica.

Just play your part for one final scene, and you can escape this gilded cage forever.