Chapter 2

2

We pulled up to the Suttons' mansion. I got out of the car, with all the maids staring at me. It was like a movie. But then, Sarah rushed out to greet us, a picture of pampered privilege, followed by two tall guys.

The one on the left gave me a bored, hostile stare. The guy on the right looked at me for a second and then just glanced away like I was a piece of furniture. I immediately looked elsewhere.

"Mom! Dad! You're finally home! I've missed you so much!"

"You must be Lily?"

"Hi, Lily, I'm Sarah. We're sisters now! Don't worry, I've got your back!"

My parents shared a relieved look.

"Come on, let me show you around the house!"

Sarah tried to grab my arm, but I pulled back like she was poison. "Don't touch me," I snapped, "and who are you calling a sister? We're not related in any way."

Sarah's face crumbled. Her hand dropped and she stood there with tears gathering in her eyes.

The guy on the left, Jack, instantly flared up. "You're a piece of work, aren't you? Who do you think you are, talking to Sarah like that?"

I picked up on what he had said, "Yeah, I'd like to know that too. Who am I in this house?"

My parents both looked shocked. They stopped worrying about Sarah's hurt feelings and rushed to my side.

"Jack, Lily is your sister. She's had a hard life and is finally home!" Mom scolded him. Then she turned her attention to me, "Lily, honey, why don't I show you to your room? It's brand new, and we just finished decorating."

I shook my head and gave my mom a small smile. Then I turned to the crying girl and pointed my finger.

"Sarah, you are like some precious gem. That name, that life, was supposed to be mine. While I suffered in hell, you lived in paradise. And now, do you expect me to just accept you here as if nothing happened? Do you want me to keep seeing the person who took what was mine?"

"Lily, what exactly do you want?" Jack asked through gritted teeth.

I shrugged. "It's simple. You can have her or me in this house."

"If I stay, she has to go."

"You're crazy," Jack roared. He wanted to tell me to get lost, but Dad cut him off before he could.

"Jack, shut your mouth." My dad said, softly. Then, to me, "Lily, you and Sarah were both victims of a terrible mistake. It wasn't her fault. She's grown up to be a kind, loving girl, and she'd make a great sister. Maybe you can try to accept her..."

"Kind? Loving? Mr. Sutton, do you really know your daughter?" I shot back, making a double meaning. My dad and Sarah's faces both tightened at that.

"If you want Sarah, that's fine, I'll leave. You can all be a happy family."

"Even though I'm only seventeen and technically a minor, I can go to Child Protective Services. I'll tell them I'm an orphan and that my foster parents were monsters. I'll be in foster care until I turn eighteen."

"Absolutely not!" my mom cried. "You have parents! And the system is awful! You'd be living in horrible conditions!"

"Someone has to leave, doesn't she?" I said with a half-smile. "Which one will it be?"

My mom's face went pale. How had everything spun so out of control? She had planned this. Both Sarah and Lily were supposed to be her daughters, and they'd grow up together.

"Lily, honey, I will treat you both equally." Mom choked out.

That didn't work with me. Equal treatment isn't what I was after. I was there to grab all the love for myself. I turned around and started towards the door when my dad suddenly spoke. "Lily, stay."

"Honey…"

"Dad…"

"Daddy!"

Three voices rose in disbelief. I felt a small smile creep up my face. My dad had already read the report on my adoption, and everything that happened in my foster home. I knew my mom hadn't read it yet.

"I'll send Sarah away," Dad agreed, his voice full of regret, "but I need time."

Sarah burst into tears. "Daddy, are you sending me away?"

Dad didn't answer. I looked at him, not backing down, "Sarah has to go before I'll ever consider staying. Mr. Sutton, I want a result within three days. If you don't contact me by then, I'll assume I've been rejected. You will never hear from me again."

Then I walked away, leaving the Suttons' house without looking back. My dad was worried about me and had his driver take me to a hotel.