Chapter 1

1 My parents, filthy rich, worried my sister, Ashley, and I would become spoiled brats.

So, they stuck us working at the bottom, making us fly the worst routes.

Then, on a flight to Cambodia, a riot broke out.

All return flights got canceled.

I called my parents, begging them to send a private jet.

They just coldly told me, "Staying calm is part of being a flight attendant, don't run from your job."

"Wait for that plane to return, then come back with it."

We had no choice but to scramble, pulling every string we had to buy two tickets back to the States.

But on the day of the flight, my phone showed our tickets had been refunded.

I was about to call the airline when my parents rang.

"Everyone else can handle it, why should you get special treatment?"

"I already canceled those tickets, you're not getting home any other way than on that flight!"

Then, they hung up.

They blocked us from buying any tickets back, anywhere.

Eventually, everyone stranded got picked up, except Ashley and me.

Ashley was killed in the riot.

I was barely alive when the embassy rescued me.

I was numb, making arrangements for Ashley when I saw our adopted sister, Tiffany, post something online.

"Thank you to the best parents in the world, they were worried about me being overseas so they sent ten planes to bring me home!"

This time, I didn't freak out like I usually would have.

I just calmly liked the post.

Then I commented, "Your parents really love you, I hope you three stay happy forever."

......

The air in the funeral home was freezing, like it was seeping into my bones.

I took the tissue the worker handed me, going through the motions of planning Ashley's funeral.

A shrill ring cut through the silence.

The screen flashed "Dad".

The accusations started the second I answered.

"Brooke, what the hell do you think you're doing?! Tiffany had a panic attack because of that comment, now she won't eat!"

I gave a bitter laugh, sadder than tears.

"I was just telling the truth, Tiffany is more like your real daughter than Ashley and I ever were."

There was a short pause on the other end.

Then Mom's voice came through.

"Honey, the countries near where Tiffany was studying are a little unstable right now. We worried, so we sent a plane to get her."

She paused, then continued, trying to sound reasonable.

"As the older sister, you should be understanding, don't keep picking on Tiffany."

"Picking on her?" I asked, full of self-disgust, my throat feeling like it was full of cotton. "Like I have that right."

Dad's rough voice cut in again.

"Don't explain anything to her! Do I need her permission to bring my daughter home?"

"You can stay in Cambodia forever, the riots are happening there. Maybe you can just die there!"

Hearing those cruel words, I started crying.

So, they knew there was a riot, that people were dying.

And they still left Ashley and me there.