Chapter 3

3

"Finnian, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you like this," Rosalie sobbed, her tears looking fake and practiced.

Silas Thorne stepped forward, pulling her away from me and behind his back.

He looked at me with the kind of disdain one might have for a cockroach.

"You really are just a stray dog from the sticks," he sneered. "Nothing but filth coming out of your mouth. You have zero class."

My mother chimed in, supporting the imposter.

"This is exactly why we lied to you. We thought the hardship would help you grow, but you're still a disappointment."

My father let out a cold snort.

"Silas was right about you all along. A low-life like you doesn't deserve to inherit a single cent of the Thorne legacy."

I watched their lips move, but all I felt were the sharp stabs of their heartless words.

I covered my eyes, unable to say anything back.

I had been with this family for ten years.

Only two years after they brought me back, the "bankruptcy" happened.

For the last eight years, I lived on nothing but dry bread and tap water so I could pay for their fake medicine.

I thought about this morning. I had spent my last few dollars on the most expensive soup from the hospital cafeteria for my father.

The doctor―who I now realized was a paid actor―said he needed the nutrients.

My father had just frowned and took a few sips, telling me not to waste money.

I actually felt touched back then, thinking he was worried about my finances.

Now I realized he just couldn't stand the taste of the cheap food I had sacrificed everything to buy him!

Looking at them now, standing on that stage with Silas, the irony was nauseating.

I laughed until tears streamed down my face.

How did everything turn into such a nightmare?

I should have never come back to this family.

Ten years ago, the Thornes showed up in my small coastal village.

Back then, Rosalie and I were newly married. My adoptive parents loved me, and though we weren't rich, we were happy.

Then the Thornes told me I was their biological son.

I didn't want to be some rich heir.

But my traditional adoptive parents begged me to reclaim my birthright.

Even Rosalie said that the city would provide a better future for our children.