Chapter 2

2 My parents had always done this.

If Tiffany felt even a little hurt, they would blame us.

Then they would use whatever they could to force us to apologize.

In their eyes, Tiffany was smart and kind, Ashley and I were evil and selfish.

They worried Ashley and I would "abuse our power" in the company.

So, they hid our family ties and put us on the toughest routes, made us start at the very bottom.

We finally got to fly, but they always sent us to the most dangerous places.

This flight to Cambodia was on the news.

My parents knew it was dangerous, that we might not come back.

Ashley and I didn't want to go.

They started yelling, calling us "spoiled" and saying we were "acting like princesses."

They used our debt to them as leverage, until we gave in.

When the riot started, they not only ignored our pleas, but they canceled our flight home.

Tiffany was studying in Europe, perfectly safe.

But they panicked and sent ten planes with bodyguards to get her back.

Ashley and I were their real daughters.

But they treated us like we were nothing.

Tiffany was just an adopted daughter.

And they gave her everything.

As she died, my sister kept defending them.

"Mom and Dad just don't understand, that's why they won't let us come back, don't hate them, keep living..."

Thinking about Ashley's body falling apart, the anger rose again.

"Apologize? Only if I'm dead! No way!"

"You killed Ashley! Are you happy now?"

"Parents like you deserve everything bad that happens to you!"

I slammed the phone down, blocking their shouts.

The embassy brought me back to the States.

Stepping off the plane, the huge screen flashed Tiffany's face, she was everywhere.

"Congratulations to the daughter of the Gu family on her safe return" was flashing.

It was all too much.

In the waiting area, some flight attendants were whispering.

I could hear every word.

"Is that really the daughter of the rich couple? I heard her country was unsafe, and her parents panicked and sent ten private planes with bodyguards to get her!"

"Yeah, the streets have welcome banners and the couple even gave her a custom private jet, with the best flight control and a full medical team!"

My blood turned cold.

They not only sent a private jet for Tiffany, but they made it a huge public celebration.

They wanted everyone to know how much they loved her.

My hands shaking, I opened my phone.

My feed was full of, "Wealthy couple spends a fortune to celebrate their daughter's safe return."

Everyone in the comments was jealous.

"I want to be that girl! This is an amazing life!"

"Her parents love her so much, it's impossible to compete with."

"If I had parents like that, I'd be set for life!"

I swiped through the comments, feeling like I couldn't breathe.