Chapter 1

1 Okay, so rewind five years. My so-called sister, Britney, locked me in the freakin' outhouse of our foster home just to steal my chance to get adopted by the freaking Vanderbilts. Yeah, the Vanderbilts. Billionaire status. You can imagine how thrilled I was with her sisterly love.

Fast forward to now, and Britney, bless her heart, is head-over-heels for this total dirtbag, Chad. I mean, Chad looks like he hasn't seen a shower in a week, let alone a job application. She's practically begging the Vanderbilts to take me instead:

"Look, just adopt Ashley! She's way better behaved than me, she listens, she's a total pushover!"

I could practically hear the gears grinding in her brain. She thought she was playing some genius move, laughing to herself as I was whisked away.

"Those cold-blooded Vanderbilts are gonna crush her spirit," I could practically hear her whisper as she watched me drive off in their limo. "They'll probably lock her in a tower or something."

Honey, please. Britney had no clue. This wasn't my first rodeo. See, I remembered everything from the first time around.

This time, Britney got stuck with the Johnsons, this family practically living in a trailer park. And guess who was their next-door neighbor? You guessed it. Good old Chad.

But the kicker? Unlike last time, I wasn't some damsel in distress. Instead, I became the Vanderbilts' prized possession. They spoiled me rotten, showered me with love, and turned me into a freaking princess.

...

I saw Britney again, this time up on the high school roof.

She was decked out in designer clothes, looking like she'd stepped out of a magazine. Meanwhile, I was smelling like a damn fish market, and she was yelling at her fancy-pants foster parents about her latest drama.

"Why did you call the cops on Chad? I told you, I went to his place willingly! He didn't drug me or anything! You've ruined his life!" Britney wailed, tearing up a family photo and throwing the pieces into the wind. "He's expelled, he's got a record! You're all a bunch of heartless monsters! I hate you all!"

Mrs. Vanderbilt looked like she was about to faint. She grabbed my hand, her voice thick with tears.

"Ashley, please talk to your sister. I don't know what to do anymore. She's the only daughter I have."

Mr. Vanderbilt jumped in, pulling out the big guns. "If you can talk her down, Ashley, we'll pay for your education, housing, anything you want. A million dollars if that helps."

While they were busy pleading with me, a bunch of cops snuck onto the roof, surrounding Britney.

"Get away from me, you pigs! You're not going to take me away from Chad! Stay back or I'll jump!"

Britney's brother, Ethan, was as pale as a ghost. He looked at me with pleading eyes, his voice trembling.

"Ashley, please, you have to help my sister."

I didn't understand. Britney had schemed her way into this life, a life of luxury and love. She had three people who adored her. Why would she throw it all away for Chad, a guy who was going nowhere fast? Didn't she know how lucky she was?