Chapter 1All my life, Dad and Mom: "We're broke—two jobs each just to survive."
My brother: "Don't waste money. Grow up."
My baby sister: "Cassie, I really want XXX..."
So I starved, killed myself studying—trying to save us all.
Until my birthday.
A classmate got me a temp gig at LA's fanciest hotel.
I ran into ALL FOUR OF THEM strolling into a VIP suite.
"Bring out your priciest shit. My little girl deserves the best!"
The manager was practically on his knees, kissing ass.
I froze. This CAN'T be real.
Then my supervisor smacked me.
"Bitch! Wake the fuck up!"
"That's our BOSS—CEO and his wife of Thorne Empire! That little girl? Their ONLY heiress."
"If her ruthless brother catches you slacking, You're DEAD!"
My world stopped.
I look down at my stained uniform.
Smiled.
So they'd been faking broke this WHOLE time—just to spoil HER.
Fine.
If I'm just an outsider to them, then I'm done playing nice.
...
I froze in place, eyes wide, shaking like crazy.
So they'd been faking poor this WHOLE time.
Even the hotel supervisor knew Isla was the Thorne heiress.
Only I was kept in the dark.
"Space out again and you're FIRED!"
The supervisor snapped at me.
My classmate whispered, "Hey, you okay?"
I shook my head, taking a deep breath. "I'm fine."
"We're serving their room next. Stay sharp—piss off those big shots and we're screwed."
"Got it."
Soon, we were sent to serve.
Carrying seafood worth thousands, I deliberately kept my head down so they wouldn't see me.
Just set the plate down.
Then Isla asked, "Mom, Dad, it's Cassian's birthday today."
"We're all here together, but we left her home alone."
"Isn't that kinda messed up?"
Her words warmed my frozen heart just a fraction.
At least someone in this family still cared about me.
But their answer plunged me back into despair.
Mom laughed.
"Sweetie, don't worry about your sister."
"She's used to spending holidays alone—hasn't it always been that way?"
Dad didn't even look up from his phone.
"Cassian's nothing like you. As long as she's not starving, she's fine."
"But you're different."
My brother Draven finally looked up. His eyes landed on Isla.
And the way he looked at her? Pure adoration.
"You're our precious princess."
"All the suffering your sister went through? We'd never let you go through that."
No one noticed I was shaking.
My face had gone deathly pale.
So that's how it is.
To them, my life means nothing.
Me suffering? Struggling? Starving? That's just normal.
But not Isla.
She's their precious princess.
Can't let her suffer even a little.
We're both their kids!
So why the hell is the treatment so different?
Then a thought hit me.
Wait.
Am I even theirs?
Chapter 2
Isla giggled.
"Hehe. Mom, Dad and brother are the BEST. I love you guys!"
She was practically bouncing in her seat.
The hotel manager stood nearby, kissing ass.
My parents? All smiles. Pure adoration.
"Sweetie, eat more seafood and meat."
"Don't be like your sister."
"She's so picky. Won't even touch meat."
Dad nodded along. "No idea where she got that from."
"We put meat in front of her and she goes straight for the veggies."
"That's YOUR fault." Mom shot him a look.
Dish after dish kept coming.
I used to think there was no way my parents could afford a meal like this.
Ten grand? For ONE dinner?
All I knew was we could barely afford meat once every few days because of the mortgage.
I felt bad for their hard work.
Worried Isla wasn't getting enough nutrition.
Even though I wanted to eat, I always pretended I didn't like it.
So they and Isla could eat more.
Turns out my sacrifice? They just thought I was "picky."
I didn't lift my head and call them out. Didn't ask why they were so cruel to me.
I just held back tears, turned around, and left the suite.
Took off my uniform. Changed into my own clothes. Left the hotel.
Outside, the cake shop manager called.
"Hey, sweetie, your cake's ready."
"When are you picking it up?"
I hesitated. Almost said I didn't want it anymore.
But then I thought—
I worked my ass off at that bakery for this.
Why shouldn't I take it?
When I got home with the pink cake, I looked around.
Our place was a dump. But the walls? Covered in my awards.
The tears I'd been holding back finally came.
My whole life, my parents told me we were poor.
That I had to make something of myself.
And I didn't let them down. Straight A's since first grade.
Top of my class in middle school and high school. Best in the entire state.
Other kids got to have fun. Be kids.
Me? I only did two things.
Study.
Work part-time jobs.
10 PM. My parents, Draven and Isla came home.
They took off their expensive suits and princess dress, changing into their usual worn clothes.
Walked in and saw me sitting there, quietly eating cake.
"Cassie, where'd you get that cake?"
Mom set down her keys, looking confused.
"Bought it."
My voice was flat.
I'd gotten this cake for Isla. Even though MY birthday.
But she just had a fancy seafood feast, so obviously she didn't need it.
"We've told you a million times—save money for tuition. Don't waste it."
"Your mom and I work so hard to pay for your education. Don't let us down."
Dad's tone was full of blame.
"Cassian, you're being bad."
Even Isla was scolding me.
Cassian stayed silent.
I ignored them. Set down my fork. Looked up at the four of them.
After a long pause, I finally spoke.
"Mom, Dad. I want a tablet for studying."
It was the first time in my life I'd ever asked them for anything.
And it was for SCHOOL.
But the second I said "tablet"?
Their faces changed instantly.
Dad stormed over, his voice sharp.
"You wanna play games, don't you?!"
Chapter 3
I didn't flinch. Shook my head.
"I need it for research!"
Dad snorted coldly. "Research? Go to the library."
"Why the hell do you need a tablet?"
"I've told you a thousand times—games will RUIN you."
"Don't look at those kids wasting their lives playing that crap."
"Besides, your mom and I are out working all day, every day. The mortgage is crushing us."
"Where do you think we'd get the money for a tablet?"
Before?
I would've apologized immediately. Told them I didn't need it.
But this time?
I didn't apologize.
I stood up. Looked him straight in the eye.
"Didn't you sign Isla up for dance classes?"
"Didn't you buy Draven that expensive watch?"
"Why just can't buy me a tablet?!"
That did it.
Dad's hand flew across my face.
SMACK.
The sound echoed through the room.
Then silence.
Mom rushed over. "Cassian, don't make your father angrier. You're too young for games."
"Your sister's a natural dancer. If she doesn't start now, she'll fall behind."
"And Draven's watch? That's FAKE."
Hearing her excuses, I laughed bitterly.
"So in your eyes."
"EVERYTHING matters more than my education."
"Right?"
Mom stared at me.
Then her face hardened. "What's gotten into you today?"
"And yes. Of course Isla's dancing is more important."
Her words hit me like ice water.
Dad snorted again.
"Don't think you can talk back just because you're hitting your rebellious phase."
Then he swept the cake off the table.
It crashed to the floor.
He pointed at me. "Get back to your room. Study. Don't come out unless I say so."
"Or I'll break your damn legs."
I looked at them one last time.
Then turned and walked to my room without a word.
The second I closed the door, I heard Dad's voice getting louder.
"She's getting out of control."
"Doesn't appreciate a damn thing we do."
"If all she wants is to play games, her life is OVER."
"No one's gonna save her."
I leaned against the door. Tears streaming down my face.
Truth is, I didn't even want a tablet.
I was only testing them.
Seeing if they'd choose me. Just once.
But this test destroyed the last bit of hope I had left.
All my hard work. All my sacrifices. Meant NOTHING to them.
The only person they cared about was Isla.
I wiped my tears.
My eyes hardened with a resolve I'd never felt before.
I pulled out my beat-up phone—the one I'd fixed a hundred times—and sent a message:
"I accept. I'm joining your lab for the classified research."
