Playing Innocent: The Real Heiress's Game Chapter 1

My own father sold me off, sent me packing to the middle of nowhere, deep in the sticks. I was stuck there for over ten years. Meanwhile, his illegitimate daughter, her, she got brought into the family home like she belonged there all along.

When they finally found me and brought me back, my "sister" pointed at the table loaded with food. "Eat up. Bet you never had anything like this, right?"

I put on my best pitiful look. "My foster parents... they didn't feed me much. My stomach's shrunk, I think. Thanks, sis, but I'm already full."

Mom’s eyes welled up, full of pity. My sister just glared daggers at me.

Getting mad already, sis? Just wait till I take back everything that's mine. You'll probably keel over from pure rage.

* * *

I’d just been whipped, again. I was lying there in the dusty shed, barely breathing, when the cops busted in and hauled my foster parents away.

Listening to their useless, angry shouting as they were dragged off, I actually smiled.

That sound was music to my ears.

Next thing I knew, a cop kicked open the shed door, and paramedics were loading me onto a stretcher.

Everything hurt so bad. So bad I couldn’t take it, and I passed out.

When I came to, I saw a middle-aged man gently patting the shoulder of a striking woman with tear-streaked eyes. Beside them, a bored-looking teenage girl noticed I was awake. A small smirk played on her lips, but she pretended not to see, turning instead to comfort the crying woman with soft words.

Watching this cozy little scene, I sneered inwardly.

Great. Just jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire.

When the woman finally looked up, she saw I was awake and immediately called for a doctor. Seeing my confused and panicked expression, she sobbed, "Oh, my baby girl, you've suffered so much."

"Those monsters who took you, they'll rot in jail for this."

"I'm your real mother. We're your real family!"

I feigned shock and helplessness. Under their expectant gazes, I whispered softly, "Mom?"

Just as I expected, the woman answered immediately, calling me her precious darling, overcome with emotion.

My father, though, looked uncomfortable. He just smiled weakly and said nothing.

My eyes shifted past them. The girl left behind, Ashley, rolled her eyes and pursed her lips.

Yeah, this family definitely wasn't as perfect as it looked on the surface.

After the check-up, the doctor said I was out of immediate danger, but my wounds were still bad and needed time to heal properly. Rest was essential.

Mom immediately said, "We're going home! We'll take care of you at home!"

Ashley piped up quickly, "But Mom, her injuries are so severe. Moving her around might not be good. Maybe she should stay here in the hospital to recover."

Seeing Mom hesitate, I spoke up softly, weakly, "Maybe it's better if I don't go home and disrupt Dad and Mom's lives. I can manage on my own."

"Then stay in the hospital. I'll hire a couple of private nurses for you," Dad said, glancing at Ashley with what looked like relief.

"You be quiet!" Mom shot Dad a cold glare.

He immediately clammed up.

"Don't be silly, honey. What disruption?"

"We're going home! My darling girl, we're going home right now!" Mom made the final decision.

Ashley forced a smile and agreed, but I could see her fidgeting, practically shredding the edge of her clothes.

In the car, Mom put her arm around me, gently stroking my hair.

I leaned against her shoulder, soaking in the rare moment of peace.

Suddenly, Ashley spoke up. "Mom, do you smell something... kind of gross?"

Mom's arm around me stiffened. She looked a bit awkward.

I lowered my head, acting embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Ashley. The doctor said the dressing for my wounds smells like this. It's supposed to help them heal faster and prevent scarring."

"Once we're home, I promise I won't leave my room for a while, so I won't bother you."

"Exactly. The doctor said you need rest. Best stay put for now," Dad quickly agreed.

Seeing Mom was about to lose her temper again, Dad tried to smooth things over. "Hey, your birthdays are coming up soon, right? What gifts do you two want?"

Ashley lit up. "Dad, you promised! I want that pink Cadillac Escalade! I want to take my friends cruising!"

"No problem! Anything for my little princess, you know I'll make it happen!" Dad agreed readily.

Then Ashley turned to me, a smug look on her face. "I guess you don't need a car yet, sis. You're not even eighteen until next year."

"Mom, I want a car too," I said, looking pleadingly at Mom.

"Paige, honey, let's not get competitive. You can't even drive yet. Anywhere you need to go, we have drivers to take you," Mom said, still stroking my hair gently, but the warmth in her eyes had cooled noticeably.

"Yeah, what would you even do with a car now? Besides showing off or letting it collect dust in the garage? It's pointless," Dad added.

Biological parents. Not so different after all.