Chapter 2

2

Three months ago, it came out that I was the real daughter, but Chrissy Cunningham got all the sympathy.

I remember walking into the mansion that day, all skinny and sunburned, and feeling totally out of place next to my family.

Dad said, "Don't worry, Chrissy, you can keep living here. You'll always be Mom and Dad's little princess."

Mom told me, "Chrissy's innocent. She was abandoned by her real parents, which makes her even more pitiful than you are."

Even my brother, Jake, who used to always protect me, pulled Chrissy behind him with a wary look.

"I'm warning you, don't bring any of your country bumpkin habits around Chrissy," he said. "She's so pure, she doesn't understand anything."

I stood there, stunned, like I'd done something wrong, and let them scold me.

I was dragging this woven sack I'd brought from the farm, full of potatoes I'd grown myself, wanting them to try them.

But Chrissy just coughed when she saw the sack, and Jake immediately told the maid to throw it out without a second thought.

I stared at them, speechless, and managed to choke out, "They're clean."

But no one paid any attention. They were all fawning over Chrissy, making sure she knew she was still their irreplaceable little princess, even with me there.

But no one knew that for me, it felt like being abandoned all over again.

I can't even explain how I felt during that time.

I had to force myself to focus on school and give up on wanting their love.

Now, looking at the way Mom's eyes were twitching, I took a deep breath and said, "I didn't do anything. She's been bullying me. She slaps me, kicks my knees, and makes me kneel..."

"You're lying!"

Chrissy interrupted me, all worked up.

"How could you try to frame me like that? I didn't even bring up the other stuff you did. Oh, Mom, you have to stick up for me!"

"I regret ever having you as a daughter," Mom said darkly, and I'd never seen her look so angry.

A flicker of happiness flashed in Chrissy's eyes. She lifted her chin, looking smug.

"See, Ashley, you made Mom mad again. If you just admitted you were wrong and apologized, I'd forgive you. But you have to be stubborn, so now Mom's going to cut your allowance again?"

She was so busy acting that she didn't see Mom's glare getting colder and colder.

"Chrissy Cunningham, I was talking about you."

Mom turned on her suddenly.

Meeting her shocked stare, Mom took my hand, her eyes full of disgust and hate for Chrissy.

"We've raised you out of the goodness of our hearts, and you, a daughter from another family, dare to accuse my own flesh and blood."

"Apologize to Ashley, now."