Seven years ago
I could hear the slow music drifting up from the ballroom.
I looked down at my purple ball gown, smoothing the satin over my knees. I loved this
dress. Purple had always been my favorite color, and Mum had only agreed to buy it
after I scored perfectly on my algebra test.
Just another one of Dad’s endless parties.
I hated them.
I hated his loud, obnoxious business friends. I hated the way Mum constantly reminded
me, A lady should be seen, not heard. And I hated how Ethan always became the
center of attention while I quietly disappeared into the background.
Dad loved that.
He always said investors trusted Ethan before they even trusted him, that one day his
golden son would inherit everything.
So I escaped.
I slipped upstairs the moment everyone’s eyes landed o
