When I Read the Fake Heiress’s Mind

Melanie, the fake heiress, was all sweetness and light.

From the moment I returned home, she pretended to treat me like a real sister.

I was genuinely grateful.

So when she complained of cramps and asked for a special herbal tea, I didnt hesitate to get it for her.

But the instant I turned my back, a laugh echoed in my mind. It was Melanies.

What herbal tea? This is your one-way ticket out of the Ashton family.

If you refuse to make it for me, Ill just tell everyone you watched me suffer and did nothing.

And if you do make it, Ill just slip in some of those dried berries Im allergic to and frame you. Mom, Dad, and Declan will skin you alive.

Even if they dont, Ive arranged for a little accident with a truck outside. In your next life, try not to be born the real, inconvenient heiress.

I froze for a moment, realizing I could hear her thoughts.

But I didnt refuse. I didnt expose her.

An allergic reaction seemed a bit boring. If we were going to play, we were going to play for keeps.

Besides, why should I be the only one she framed?

With that thought, I went to find the brother who never missed a chance to declare that Melanie was his only sister.

Declan, I began, my voice soft, Melanie said shes having terrible cramps and wants some herbal tea. Could you help me make her a cup?

This was the first time I had ever called Declan brother.

He looked like hed swallowed a wasp.

Ive told you a dozen times, call me by my full name. We may be related by blood, but Ive never acknowledged you as my sister. My only sister is Melanie

He cut himself off, his eyes narrowing.

What did you just say about Melanie?

I mentally rolled my eyes, but my face was a perfect mask of pitiable helplessness.

Mr. Ashton, Melanie just told me shes in a lot of pain and asked for her tea. Its the first time shes ever asked anything of me, so I didnt feel right asking the staff to do it.

But I dont know how she likes it, and Im afraid Ill make it wrong

So, could you please, please help me? I let my voice trail off into a whisper. Im a fast learner, I promise. If you just show me once, I can take care of her properly from now on.

The phrase take care of her properly seemed to placate him. His expression softened slightly, though he still looked at me as if I owed him my life. He led me to the kitchen and began preparing the tea with practiced ease.

Watch closely. Melanie has been pampered by me and our parents her whole life. If you really want to be a part of this family, you need to learn how to cater to her.

I nodded eagerly, watching his every move, especially when he specified the amount of honey and warned me to never, ever add the dried berries. I looked as if I were carving his instructions into my very soul.

Seeing my eagerness to please, Declan finally seemed satisfied.

Youd better be grateful, he said, a sharp edge to his voice.

When you first came back, we were hesitant. We were just going to give you some money and send you abroad. It was Melanie who insisted you stay, who wanted you as a sister.

So you know exactly who you have to thank for being in this house.

2

Oh, yes. I had Melanies loving motherthe nannyto thank for my wonderful life.

To give her own daughter a life of luxury, shed switched us at birth.

Melanie spent twenty years as the pampered darling of the Ashton family, while I was taken back to a dirt-poor village in the mountains. I was starving, cold, and by the age of five, I was expected to cook and clean for an entire household.

The nanny, terrified I would one day learn the truth, planned to marry me off to some old creep for cash the moment I turned eighteen.

Even as a child, I knew what that meant. It meant my life would be over. I begged a volunteer teacher to take me with her when she left. Seeing how miserable I was, she ignored the legalities and spirited me out of the mountains.

I finally had a chance to learn, to study.

Years later, I saw a woman on television who looked remarkably like the nanny, standing beside a society lady who bore a striking resemblance to me. It was then that I began to suspect the truth about my past.

I worked my way into the Ashton familys corporation, and inevitably, my identity was discovered. I was brought home.

But the Ashtons were far from welcoming. Their only concern was protecting Melanie.

None of this was Melanies fault. Blood may be important, but twenty years of raising her means more!

Well give you a sum of money

It was laughable. My heart felt like a dead thing in my chest. I was ready to take the money and leave.

But Melanie, her eyes red with tears, grabbed my hand and begged me not to go.

So I stayed. She was often condescending, her words laced with a casual cruelty and a need to show off her superiority. But compared to the icy indifference of the others, she was the kindest person to me in that house.

Or so I thought, until I heard her inner voice.

It was all a scheme. She didn't want me to take their money and live a comfortable life abroad. She wanted me to be despised by the Ashtons, to be cast out and erased from existence.

3

My mind was a whirlwind of these thoughts as Declan finished making the tea.

Youre really good at this, Mr. Ashton.

Could I ask you one more favor? Can I be the one to bring this to Melanie? And please, don't tell her you made it.

I just want her to like me a little more

Declan didnt object.

I went to the bathroom and scrubbed my hands until they were spotless, then carried the bowl of teathe catalyst for the coming storminto Melanies room.

When I entered, I saw that it wasnt just Melanie in the room. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ashton, were there as well.

The moment they saw me, the smiles on their faces vanished.

What are you doing here?

Melanie quickly jumped to my defense.

It was my sister. She saw I wasnt feeling well and offered to make me some tea. Mom, Dad, please dont misunderstand her.

Mr. Ashton nodded, a flicker of approval in his eyes.

Thats more like it.

Melanie took your place in this family and cared for your mother and me for twenty years. Its only right that you show her some gratitude.

I scoffed internally. She lived my life of luxury, and I lived her life of squalor, and Im supposed to thank her?

But I didnt say a word, just nodded meekly.

Mrs. Ashtons expression softened. She took the tea from the tray and began to feed it to Melanie.

Melanie took a few sips from her mothers hand, then claimed it was too hot and took the bowl herself.

Instantly, my new parents turned on me, scolding me for not getting the temperature right, asking if Id done it on purpose.

While they were distracted, lecturing me, Melanie quickly dropped a few dried berries into her tea.

I saw everything.

But I pretended not to notice, just kept my head bowed.

Yes, yes, Ill be more careful next time.

Melanie finished the entire bowl. Before I could even take the empty bowl back, the reaction began.

4

A red rash erupted all over Melanies skin. Her voice became hoarse.

Sister, what did you put in my tea?

I told you I cant eat those berries. Did you put them in here?

I feigned terror.

I I I didnt.

No it wasnt

Before I could finish, my parents cut me off.

If it wasnt you, then who was it?

I knew it! Its just like in those soap operas. How could a girl like you, whos spent her life in the mud, ever behave herself?

Are you trying to kill Melanie?

They were livid.

Melanie, scratching at her arms, began to cry.

Dont blame my sister. She feels like Ive stolen her life. Its only natural shed want me dead.

Mom, Dad, if I die, please dont blame her. These years as your daughter theyve been more than enough.

She sounded so pathetic.

But in her mind, she was laughing.

What a complete idiot. Doesnt she watch any dramas? Did she really think she could just bring me tea without consequences?

This was a perfect plan. If she refused, shed be cruel. If she agreed, I could frame her for poisoning me.

Even if Mom and Dad care about bloodlines, theyd never accept a daughter who tried to poison her sister.

A small price to paya little skin rashfor such a perfect outcome. Im a genius.

Her plan was perfect.

But in the next second, her breathing became ragged. Her face turned a frightening shade of blue. Then, her eyes rolled back in her head, and she collapsed, genuinely unconscious.

I chose that moment to interrupt my parents tirade.

Mom, Dad, maybe we should figure out whos to blame later.

Right now, we should probably call an ambulance. It looks like she might actually be dying.

5

Because we got her to the hospital in time, Melanie survived.

I was a little disappointed.

But perhaps it was for the best. Death would have been too easy. Besides, I had come back to the Ashton family to claim what was minethe entire fortune. A death in the villa would have been bad for property values.

Melanie couldnt understand how a mild skin allergy had turned so severe.

But she didnt dwell on it.

The moment she woke up, with our parents and Declan watching, she fell to her knees before me.

Sister, Im so sorry. I never should have stolen your life.

I wont press charges for you poisoning me with the berries. Just let me leave. Let me go. Im still young, I just want to live.

Mom, Dad, from now on, pretend you never had me as a daughter!

Her parents hearts were breaking.

Melanie, what are you talking about? Youre the victim here. The one who should leave isnt you, its her.

I dont care if youre my biological daughter or not. I will not have such a wicked person in my house.

Declan, who didnt know the details, only knew that I had poisoned Melanie and nearly killed her.

He slapped me hard across the face.

Thats right. The one who needs to get out is you.

From this day on, you are no longer an Ashton. You wont get a single penny from us.

At that, I finally broke. The previously tongue-tied girl suddenly found her voice.

Declan, how could you say that?

You were the one who made the tea! Youre the one who poisoned Melanie! Not only do you refuse to take responsibility, but youre blaming it all on me?