Chapter 1

The Shaws' foster daughter was throwing a tantrum again. She had run back to the group home, screaming at the top of her lungs.

"I don't want your money! I want love! You don't love me at all!"

Silas Shaw spent three days and nights trying to coax her back. But Seraphina wouldn't budge.

Seeing the stalemate, the director pushed me forward.

"Let her try," the director said. "She's the sweetest girl we have."

Silas made me a secret promise that day.

"If you can calm her down, I'll take you home with me!"

I succeeded. That was how I was brought into the Shaw household.

After high school graduation, Seraphina chased her freedom and moved across the country for university.

I was forced to stay in Manhattan. I had to endure Silas's shifting moods and buried anger alone.

Later, Seraphina came back.

Silas looked at me with cold eyes.

"Take care of the child. Move out of the penthouse."

"From now on, you'll only ever be my sister."

"I don't want Seraphina to be upset."

I quietly wiped the moisture from the corners of my eyes.

I agreed.

1

When I returned from the hospital, Silas was on the phone with one of his friends.

"What? Seraphina is back in New York? She didn't even tell me!"

Silas lit a cigarette and put the call on speaker. His friend's voice filled the room.

"She's probably still holding a grudge. But the fact that she's back means she's halfway over it."

"Make sure you go pick her up. Bring a gift and apologize properly."

The friend paused before asking a heavy question.

"What about Annie? You can't keep two women on the hook at once."

"She's been with you for years. You need to handle that situation."

Smoke swirled in the room. I felt a sudden chill in my bones.

I heard Silas's familiar voice. It sounded indifferent, almost bored.

"Two women? I've only ever seen Annie as a sister."

"I'll give her a payout. She'll be fine."

"Don't worry. Annie knows how this works."

The medical files in my hand slipped, hitting the floor. I ignored the dull ache in my stomach and crouched down to grab them.

The noise startled Silas.

"When did you get back?" he asked, looking down at me.

My hands trembled. He didn't wait for an answer before making his announcement.

"Seraphina is coming home."

"You need to move back to the old family estate."

He had moved me into this penthouse because it was close to the office. Now, with one sentence, he was discarding me.

"Be a good girl. Don't leave any trace that you lived here."

"I don't want her to start another scene."

He smiled as he said this. It was a look of helpless, doting affection.

I felt all the strength leave my body. He was too drowned in his own joy to spare me a single glance.

He immediately dialed Seraphina's number.

"Seraphina, let me pick you up tonight. Don't be mad anymore. I bought you a gift."

"Hmph, I haven't forgiven you yet. But since you're being so sincere..."

Their flirting echoed in my ears. I gathered my papers and forced myself to stand.

"By the way, come to the office once you're settled. I've already set everything up for you."

"It won't be tiring at all. I've done all the prep work. You just need to show up."

Silas was so tender. They laughed for a while before he finally hung up.

"Pack your things. She'll be here by tonight."

He turned to walk toward his room but stopped suddenly.

"Wait. I remember you're leading that new development project. Hand it over to Seraphina."

"She needs a win to establish herself at the company."

The words felt like a plunge into a frozen lake.

I had worked on that project for an entire year.

I had poured my blood and sweat into it. I lost count of the late nights and the drinks I had to stomach.

Seraphina had zero experience. She had no talent for this business.

Now that it was time to harvest the results, Silas wanted to give her all the credit.

"What about me?" I asked, my voice cracking.

"Do you have any idea how much I sacrificed for that project?"

Silas looked annoyed. His expression soured.

"Annie, it's just one project. I'll make it up to you later."

"Seraphina just got back. She needs the experience more than you do."

"Just be reasonable. I've never treated you poorly, have I?"

My face went pale. My lips wouldn't stop shaking.

"So, I'm the one who has to be sacrificed?"

Silas huffed impatiently. His eyes suddenly fell on the papers in my hand.

"What is that?"

He snatched the file before I could hide it.

"You're pregnant?"

He looked stunned for a second. He glanced at my stomach, then his expression hardened.

"Handle the child. Move out."

"From now on, you are just my sister."

"I don't want Seraphina to be hurt by this."

I looked down, messily wiping away my tears.

"Okay," I whispered.