CHAPTER ONE
1466 Words
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The iron gates slowly swung open.
Adriana Smith tightened her grip on the worn strap of her backpack as the taxi rolled into a driveway longer than the entire street where she'd grown up.
Her lips parted.
"This... can't be real."
Towering oak trees lined both sides of the road, leading to a breathtaking mansion that looked as though it belonged on the cover of a luxury magazine. Crystal fountains sparkled beneath the afternoon sun while colorful flowers stretched across perfectly trimmed gardens.
She had seen houses like this only in movies.
Never had she imagined she would step inside one.
The taxi stopped.
Her heartbeat quickened.
"Miss, we've arrived," the driver said.
She nodded absentmindedly before reaching into her pocket.
"I'll pay..."
"It's already been taken care of."
She blinked.
"Oh..."
Of course it had.
People who lived in houses like this probably never worried about taxi fares.
The driver smiled kindly before driving away, leaving Adriana standing alone in front of the enormous mansion with nothing but two old suitcases and the backpack slung over her shoulder.
She suddenly felt... small.
Was she really supposed to live here?
Before she could overthink it, the massive front doors opened.
A middle-aged woman dressed neatly in a black-and-white uniform hurried down the marble steps.
"You must be Miss Adriana!"
Her smile was so warm that some of Adriana's anxiety melted away.
"I'm Martha," the woman introduced herself. "We've been expecting you."
Adriana smiled shyly.
"It's nice to meet you."
"Oh, sweetheart."
Without warning, Martha wrapped her in a gentle hug.
"You've become such a beautiful young lady."
Adriana froze.
When was the last time someone had hugged her like that?
She couldn't even remember.
After losing both her parents years ago, affection had become something she only watched other people receive.
"Come inside," Martha said. "Everyone has been waiting for you."
Everyone?
Her stomach twisted.
The grand entrance stole her breath away.
Marble floors reflected the dazzling crystal chandelier hanging overhead.
Elegant paintings decorated the walls.
A sweeping staircase curved gracefully toward the second floor.
Everything looked expensive.
Everything looked... untouchable.
Several housekeepers smiled as she walked past.
"Welcome, Miss Adriana."
"We're so happy you're here."
"If you need anything, just let us know."
Adriana kept thanking them until she lost count.
She wasn't used to people being this kind.
She wasn't used to anyone remembering her name.
"Mrs. Williams is in the living room," Martha announced.
The moment Adriana stepped inside, a graceful woman in her early fifties rose from the sofa.
Tears instantly filled the woman's eyes.
"Adriana..."
The older woman crossed the room and cupped her cheeks.
"You have your mother's smile."
Adriana's chest tightened.
No one had spoken about her mother in years.
Mrs. Williams pulled her into a hug.
"I promised your mother that if anything ever happened, you would never be alone."
Adriana finally let herself cry.
For the first time since the funeral...
She felt like someone wanted her.
After several minutes, Mrs. Williams wiped away her tears and smiled.
"From today onward, this is your home."
Home.
The word echoed painfully in Adriana's heart.
Could she really believe that?
Mrs. Williams held her hand.
"I'd like you to meet my sons."
Footsteps echoed from the staircase.
The first to appear was a cheerful young man wearing ripped jeans and a hoodie.
He flashed an easy smile.
"So this is Adriana?"
He walked over and stretched out his hand.
"I'm Chris."
His grin widened.
"The funniest brother in this house."
Another voice came from behind him.
"That's highly debatable."
A second young man descended the stairs, laughing.
He had soft brown eyes and a charming smile.
"I'm Alex," he said warmly.
"It's nice to finally meet you."
Unlike Chris's playful energy, Alex's calmness immediately put Adriana at ease.
Within minutes, Chris was already carrying one of her suitcases.
"I call dibs on showing her around!"
"You'll probably get her lost," Alex replied.
"I know where the kitchen is."
"You only know where the snacks are."
Their playful argument made Adriana laugh.
The tension she'd carried all day slowly faded.
Maybe...
Maybe she really could fit in here.
Mrs. Williams smiled as she watched them.
"There is just one more person."
The room suddenly became quiet.
Chris sighed dramatically.
Alex exchanged a glance with his mother.
Martha looked away.
Adriana frowned.
Why did everyone suddenly look nervous?
Then...
She was hearing footsteps of someone approaching.
Slow and measured....
Every sound echoed through the silent mansion.
A tall man appeared at the top of the staircase.
Black tailored suit.
Expensive watch.
Sharp jawline.
Cold gray eyes.
He looked less like someone's son...
...and more like the man who owned the entire world.
He descended each step with effortless authority, never once taking his eyes off Adriana.
Something about that gaze made her uncomfortable.
Not curious.
Not welcoming.
Judging.
Mrs. Williams smiled.
"Max."
"This is Adriana."
Silence.
Adriana offered a polite smile.
"Hello."
Max didn't return it.
His expression remained unreadable.
"So..."
His deep voice sliced through the room.
"She's the girl."
Mrs. Williams frowned.
"Max."
"What?"
He folded his arms.
"This is the orphan you're moving into our house?"
The word hit Adriana harder than she expected.
Orphan.
Not Adriana.
Not guest.
Not family.
Just...
The orphan.
Mrs. Williams' voice hardened.
"Enough."
Max ignored her.
His cold eyes swept over Adriana's faded jeans, old sneakers, and cheap backpack.
Then he let out a humorless chuckle.
"I hope you understand something."
He took one step closer.
"You may have fooled everyone else..."
His gaze locked onto hers.
"But you won't fool me."
Adriana's brows knitted together.
"I don't know what you mean."
"I mean, girls like you don't suddenly appear in billionaire homes unless they want something."
The room went silent.
Chris sighed.
Alex rubbed the back of his neck.
Even Martha looked heartbroken.
Adriana swallowed the lump in her throat.
"I don't want your money."
"No?"
Max stepped even closer.
"Then don't touch what's mine."
Without another word, he brushed past her.
The expensive scent of his cologne lingered in the air long after he was gone.
The front door slammed shut.
She was pained.
Adriana forced a smile, though her chest ached.
"So..."
She whispered.
"I guess he doesn't like me."
Mrs. Williams squeezed her hand gently.
"Don't mind Max."
---
But upstairs, standing on the balcony where no one could see him...
Max looked down at the girl clutching her old backpack.
His jaw tightened.
Another pretty face.
Another person after the Williams fortune.
I won't let her destroy this family.
No matter what it takes......
- Writer
