The Adopted Daughter Dares to Replace the True Heiress

1
Im a billionaires daughter, born with a rare blood type. To ensure my safety, my parents went to a forgotten, impoverished corner of the country and found a child with the same blood type to be my living blood bank.
As a form of compensation, they adopted her.
But when I returned home today after three years on a study abroad program, I found the two older brothers who had always doted on me throwing a lavish birthday party for that adopted girl, Kathy.
In front of all their guests, they announced that Kathy was the true heiress of the Sterling family.
And I was nothing more than her backup.
Kathy wanted my bedroom for an art studio, so they tossed my belongings into the housekeeper's quarters. Kathy wanted shares in the company, so they took the transfer agreement my father had prepared for me and handed it straight to her. And because Kathy had a crush on my fianc, the childhood betrothal that had been mine was suddenly hers.
In my past life, I was tormented to death, my loyalty to my family stopping me from fighting back.
Now, reborn, I want to burn every single one of them to the ground.
Through the glittering chaos of the ballroom, I saw Kathy, the center of a fawning circle. I heard them whispering about how the adopted girlmecouldn't hold a candle to her.
Thats when I moved. I lunged forward and ripped the brilliant pink diamond necklace from her throat.
This is The One, I snarled, my voice cutting through the music. A one-of-a-kind piece Dad bought at auction for my birthday. Who the hell do you think you are, an orphan from the sticks, parading around with stolen goods? Have you no shame?
The room fell silent. Then, the silence shattered into a wave of mockery.
Is Aria Sterling dreaming? Causing a scene at her own sisters birthday party.
Shes just desperate for attention. You can take the girl out of the gutter, but you cant take the gutter out of the girl.
My brothers, Ethan and Mason, rushed over, instinctively forming a protective wall around Kathy. She clutched her neck, her eyes welling up with perfectly-timed tears.
Ethan, my eldest brother, immediately shed his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Someone get the first-aid kit! he yelled, his voice laced with panic, as if the faint red mark on her neck was a mortal wound.
Mason shoved me hard, his face contorted with fury. Aria, are you insane? How dare you hurt your sister!
Dad bought that necklace for his real daughter! he spat, his voice dripping with contempt. Is that you? Don't be pathetic. Give it back.
I clenched my fist around the necklace, the sharp facets of the diamonds digging into my palm. A cold smile spread across my face. His real daughter? So shes real, and Im what, a fake? Mason, did you leave your brain at the door? You cant even recognize your own sister. I dare you to say that to Dads face.
Masons face turned a blotchy purple, but Kathy gently held him back. She sighed, a mask of saintly patience. Its alright, Mason. Don't be angry with her. She grew up in a rough place, she never learned any manners. Its my fault, really. As her older sister, I should have guided her better.
She cast a sorrowful look around the room. If it werent for my rare blood type, Mom and Dad would never have felt forced to bring her here. Its my body thats the problem. I should be the one to be more patient with her.
I almost laughed out loud. The same old act.
In my last life, I was bled dry by a thousand of Kathys paper cuts. She was a master of this gamesaying things that sounded like she was defending me, while actually painting me as trash and herself as a martyr. The truth? She was so dim-witted the family had to pull strings just to get her into a community college.
As expected, the guests lapped it up.
Kathy is a true Sterling, someone murmured. So kind and graceful. Not like some people who think a few feathers make them a swan.
Exactly! An orphan girl from the middle of nowhere. The Sterlings give her everything, and shes still ungrateful enough to steal from the real heiress. The nerve!
Kathy shook her head, a look of weary resignation on her face. Its okay if Im wronged. Please, dont blame my sister. Coming from such a desolate place, her jealousy is understandable. Ill do my best to guide her onto the right path.
Her performance of magnanimity had its intended effect. Sympathy rippled through the crowd.
Miss Sterling, youre far too kind.
Thats right. You coddle her, but a snake in the grass will always bite the hand that feeds it.
Ethans gaze hardened as he stared at the necklace in my hand. His voice was cold steel. Give it to me. Now.
My vision swam with red. Dad gave The One to me.
His eyes narrowed dangerously. Aria, we brought you into this family, but not so you could bully my real sister. If you cant accept your place as the adopted one, then get the hell out of this house.
I couldnt believe it. These words were coming from the brother who used to carry me on his shoulders, who swore hed protect me from everything. The chill that seeped into my bones wasn't from the air conditioning.
A harsh laugh escaped my lips. You dont have the authority to kick me out of this house. And no one is taking this necklace today.
That was it for Mason. He whirled on the household staff. Are you all blind?! Youre just going to stand there and watch this little thief steal from Miss Kathy? Get it back from her!
The head housekeeper, Mrs. Davison, rolled up her sleeves and stepped forward. Id seen her exchanging glances with Kathy earlier. I knew shed already been bought.
I grabbed a champagne bottle from a nearby table and smashed it against the edge of the dessert buffet. I held the jagged neck out in front of me. Id like to see you try! Youd better think long and hard about who the real Miss Sterling is in this house. My parents sign your paychecks. Anyone who touches me today will be out on the street tomorrow.
My ferocity stunned them. Many of them had worked for our family for years; they knew me. They froze, uncertainty clouding their faces.
But Mrs. Davison lunged. She snatched the necklace from my grasp and scurried over to Kathy, presenting it like a trophy. Miss Kathy, Im an old servant in this house. Ive watched you grow up. No one can impersonate you, and no one can take what is yours. This necklace was made for you.
I drove my foot into the back of her knee. You work for my family! Who gave you the right to steal from me? What, did Kathy offer you more than my parents pay you?
Mrs. Davisons eyes darted away, guilt written all over her face.
Kathy rushed to her side, shielding the housekeeper. Aria, if youre angry, take it out on me! Why are you bullying Mrs. Davison? Shes an old woman! She only said those things because shes tired of seeing you steal my things.
Her voice dripped with false sympathy. I know youve been jealous of this pink diamond necklace ever since Dad bought it for my birthday. I know youve snuck into my room to wear it when I wasn't home. I can forgive all of that. Just promise you wont hurt Mrs. Davison again, and you can have the necklace. Ill give it to you.
As she finished, a single, perfect tear rolled down her cheek.
I pointed at my own chest in disbelief.
Me? Jealous?
I was a Sterling heiress. Jealous of a girl from the backwoods? Jealous of her two-faced, manipulative games? The thought was so disgusting it made me want to vomit. But the guests were completely taken in.
She has some nerve. A few days of living the good life and she thinks shes a real heiress, even starts abusing the staff. She should take a good long look in the mirror.
Aria is just vicious. A classic case of biting the hand that feeds you.
Poor Miss Kathy. The real lady of the house, being bullied by some stray.
She ruined a beautiful birthday party. What a curse.
Ethans brow furrowed. Havent you made enough of a scene? Do you want to drag the Sterling family name through the mud completely?
His voice dropped, filled with a chilling finality. The reason this necklace is called The One is because Dad wanted to announce to the world that Kathy is his one and only daughter.
Have we been so good to you all these years that youve forgotten what you really are?
Mason chimed in. We should just send her back to that hellhole she came from. With our familys resources, it wouldnt be hard to find another donor with Kathys blood type.
I stared at the two brothers who had been my protectors, my heroes, my entire childhood.
An arctic cold spread through my veins.
My parents had spent a fortune finding several children with my blood type, and theyd let me choose which one to bring home. But after seeing the photos, Ethan and Mason had both insisted on Kathy. At the time, I didn't care. I just needed someone to grow up with, someone to be there in case of an emergency. It could have been anyone.
Looking back, their reaction was bizarre. Two brothers with completely different personalities, instantly agreeing on the same girl.
In my past life, theyd used a business trip, just like this one, to throw this very party for Kathy. Theyd publicly declared her the true heiress and me the walking blood bank. Humiliated and slandered, Id been plied with a bottle of hard liquor at Kathys suggestion and locked in the pitch-black cellar.
By the time my parents returned, my body, dead from a severe allergic reaction to the alcohol, had already begun to decompose.
The old me, faced with such betrayal from the brothers I adored, would have been a sobbing, incoherent mess, unable to defend myself.
But not this time. I stood tall, my back ramrod straight. You two know perfectly well who the real Sterling heiress is. You think you can get away with bullying me like this in front of everyone? Lets see how you explain this to Mom and Dad when they get back!
My defiance, even after being so thoroughly condemned, gave some of the smarter guests pause.
Could it be Aria actually is the real heiress?
You know, now that you mention it, shes dressed simply, but she does resemble Mrs. Sterling
Hearing the tide of opinion begin to shift, a flicker of panic crossed Kathys face. She bit her lip, her voice choked with manufactured pain. Aria, I already said you could have the necklace. Why are you still doing this? You know today is my birthday. Are you trying to humiliate me on purpose?
She threw her hands up in a gesture of surrender. Fine, fine! As long as you stop disgracing the family, as long as you stop embarrassing Mom, Dad, and my brothers, Ill admit it. Youre the real Sterling heiress, and Im just the adopted girl. Is that what you want to hear? Are you satisfied now?
With that, she turned to the crowd and bowed deeply. I apologize to all our esteemed guests. Because of me, your evening has been ruined. An adopted girl like me doesn't deserve such a wonderful birthday party. I am truly sorry.
She wept, tears streaming down her face, the perfect picture of a noble victim, sacrificing her own reputation for the sake of her family, cornered by a thankless viper.
The guests erupted in fury.
Aria, the Sterlings feed you, clothe you, and you push your benefactor to this point? You should be afraid of divine retribution!
Even an animal has more gratitude than you!
What did the Sterlings ever do to deserve a parasite like you?
Apologize! Apologize to Miss Kathy right now!
As the chorus of condemnation reached a fever pitch, a tall figure stepped out from the crowd.
It was Carter Vance, the man Id been betrothed to since childhood.
He was dressed in a sharp black suit, his hair slicked back. He wasnt bad-looking, but the words that came out of his mouth were utterly repulsive.
Aria, I know youre only pretending to be the true heiress because youre desperately in love with me.
He shook his head, a look of profound disappointment on his face. But today, youve gone too far.
He saw Kathys tear-streaked face and his heart clearly melted. He made his stance clear for everyone to hear. The only person I have ever loved is Kathy. The only woman I will ever marry is Kathy. You can chase me until the end of time, and I will never give you a second glance.
He sneered at me. Ive seen women like you before. Greedy, manipulative, bullies to the weak. You want to latch onto me and become Mrs. Vance? Take a look at yourself. Youre acting like a common shrew. Do you think youre worthy?
My wife, he declared, should be kind and generous, like Kathy.
He gently took out a handkerchief and dabbed at Kathys tears. I looked up and saw the unmistakable glint of triumph in her eyes, even as she put on a show of magnanimity.
Carter, dont say that about my sister, she murmured. Shes just a little jealous, a little malicious, a little short-sighted, a little prone to twisting the truth, and she lives in a fantasy world where shes the real heiress. Other than that, she has no bad intentions.
There are moments when youre so speechless, all you can do is laugh.
Carter Vance. His familys minor fortune was built on the scraps my family let fall from our table. And he was accusing me of being a gold digger? I wasn't that desperate, and I certainly wasn't that stupid.
A perfect pair of deluded clowns.
Before I could respond, Kathys friends started in with their jeers. Look at the expression on her face. Youre just dying of jealousy, arent you, Aria? Mr. Vance himself has declared hell only marry Kathy. Youre just a pathetic sideshow. Crawl back to whatever hole you came from.
Someone else snickered. You dont think she still believes shes the heiress, still dreams of marrying Mr. Vance, do you?
Oh my god, throwing herself at him like that. Its so shameless.
Kathy chose that moment to deliver the killing blow, her voice dripping with pity. Please, try to understand. I was born lucky. She was born in the wilderness, without parents, sold by her relatives into a forced marriage with a man in his sixties. Shes starved for affection, which is why she acts out like this. We should show more compassion for someone with such psychological trauma.
In my twenty-odd years, I had never encountered such a stunning level of shamelessness.
Everything she had just described was her own life story.
If my parents hadn't found and adopted her when they did, shed already have a couple of kids with that sixty-year-old geezer by now.
Kathy, it sounds like youre the one with psychological trauma, I shot back, my voice shaking with rage. If I had known you were this kind of person, I would have begged my parents to leave you to rot with that old man for the rest of your life.
Kathys eyes immediately filled with tears. I knew it, she sobbed. I knew youd turn it back on me. Does it make you happy to blame me for everything bad thats ever happened? Fine. Lets say its all true. Does that make you feel better? Will you stop having these episodes and scaring our guests now?
Ethan had had enough. Aria, thats it! This family would be better off raising a dog than raising you!
He motioned for Mason to go to the study and retrieve a document.
When Mason returned with a share transfer agreement and I saw Kathys name written on it, it felt like Id been struck by lightning. I froze, unable to move, unable to breathe.
A collective gasp went through the room.
It was for sixty percent of Sterling Corp.s shares.
Enough to give someone controlling interest in the entire company.
Before I left for my study abroad program, my father had shown me that very document, with my name on it. Hed told me it would be my birthday present when I returned.
My father would never lie to me.
Which meant Ethan and Mason had.
Read it and weep, Ethan said, shoving the document into my face. Its Dads signature and his official seal, in black and white. If you were the real heiress, why wouldnt your name be on it?
He threw the papers at my face, unafraid that I might tear them up. If I did, in front of all these people, it would be an admission of guilt.
The signature was my fathers. The seal was the one he kept locked in his safe.
My vision went dark. A terrifying thought clawed at my mind: had these two soulless monsters done something to my father? I immediately dismissed it. I had just spoken to Mom and Dad on the phone before coming home. They said theyd be back tomorrow.
Kathy sidled up to me, a smug, venomous smile on her face. My dear sister, you can try to steal my identity all you want, but a fake can never be real. Its just your bad luck to have been born in the middle of nowhere.
But dont you worry, she cooed. Since youre my living blood bank, and Ive been your sister for all these years, Ill take good care of you.
She waved over a short, overweight man from across the room.
The man rubbed his hands together and lurched toward me with a foolish grin.
I dodged out of his way just in time.
It was Mrs. Davisons son, a man with the mental capacity of a five-year-old. The sight of the drool glistening on his chin made my stomach turn.
Ethans voice cut through my revulsion. What are you dodging for? Youre about to marry him. Hes going to be your husband. Its not like letting him hug you will kill you.
Mrs. Davisons eyes lit up with glee.
I stared at my brother, my mind reeling. Had I heard him correctly, or had he lost his mind?
Mason shoved me impatiently. Youre a ruined girl from the backwoods whos already been sullied by a sixty-year-old man. Youre lucky this simpleton will even have you. Kathy is so kind-hearted, shes even letting you use her birthday party as your wedding celebration. Were your brothers, and were making this decision for you. Youre getting married, right now. After youre married, if you learn to behave, we might still treat you like a sister.
Kathy giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. Aria, you hit Mrs. Davison earlier, and she hasn't even held it against you. Why dont you kneel and serve her a cup of tea as her new daughter-in-law? Then we can all move on. If you give her a healthy grandson soon, Im sure a nice woman like her will treat you well.
Yes, yes! the housekeeper cackled. Serve the tea, and youll be my daughter-in-law. You can sleep with my son tonight!
Rage, white-hot and blinding, surged through me. I kicked out, sending Mrs. Davison sprawling to the floor, where she began to wail and cry.
My face was a cold mask. You dare touch me, and my parents will peel the skin from your bones when they get back.
She flinched, her wails instantly quieting to a whimper.
And you, I said, turning to my brothers, my voice trembling with fury. Ethan, Mason. If you go through with this today, I swear Mom and Dad will never forgive you.
The guests murmured amongst themselves, but no one stepped forward to help.
Well, at least shell still be living in the Sterling mansion. Since shes Miss Kathys blood bank, they wont treat her too badly.
Exactly. Shes already been with a sixty-year-old. At least this ones young. Shes actually trading up. Whats she complaining about?
Mason strode over and grabbed my arms, his grip like iron.
Which foot did you kick Mrs. Davison with? This one, right?
He kicked the back of my knee. The first time, I managed to stay standing through the searing pain. The second kick sent me crashing to the floor.
I bit my lip, tasting blood, and struggled to get up. Let go of me! I am the real Sterling heiress! Kathy is the imposter!
No one listened. I heard someone laugh and say my delusions were acting up again.
Ethans hand clamped down on my shoulder.
Stealing Kathys things is one thing, but raising a hand to your own mother-in-law? As the eldest son of this family, its my duty to teach you some manners.
One pinned my shoulders while the other forced my head towards the floor. The simple-minded man lunged forward, his weight pressing me down, his drool-flecked voice chanting, Bedtime, bedtime.
I couldnt move. Tears of humiliation and despair streamed down my face.
And just then, a familiar, furious voice roared from the entrance.
STOP! What in Gods name do you think youre doing to my daughter?!

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