The Golden Cage: A Rebirth Story Chapter 1

I was the "fake" heiress, living a life that wasn't mine. The Vanderbilts’ biological child was actually a son.

Years later, the "real" son, Julian, was brought back into the fold, and I was demoted from the cherished daughter to the charity case.

But the real heir harbored dark, twisted feelings for me.

In my past life, right before my engagement to another man, Julian drugged me and imprisoned me in his private villa. To possess me completely, he didn't hesitate to fabricate scandals that ruined my reputation, leaving me with nowhere else to turn.

I waited until he was distracted by a commercial marriage meant to save the failing Vanderbilt empire, and I drowned myself in the villa’s bathtub.

When I opened my eyes, I was ten years old again.

Back to the time before the real heir had twisted into a psychopath.

* * *

"Riley, that’s the children's home your father sponsored in your name. Do you want to go down and take a look?"

"If not, we can just go home and open your birthday presents..."

"Mom! I want to go see it!"

Mrs. Vanderbilt paused, clearly surprised that her usually spoiled little princess was being so sensible today.

"It’s a birthday gift from Dad, after all. If I go look, Dad will be happy too!"

I looked at Mrs. Vanderbilt’s youthful face and tried my best to mimic the innocence of a ten-year-old.

At this point in time, I hadn't been discarded by the family yet. I hadn't suffered the torture.

The person who ruined my entire previous life was currently ten years old, just like me, living inside that brick building Mrs. Vanderbilt had just pointed out.

After we got out of the car, the director came out to greet us personally.

I spotted him immediately. Julian stood awkwardly in the courtyard, clutching a piece of candy, looking at us with curiosity.

He wasn't yet the gloomy, volatile, cruel man from my past life. Even at ten, he looked exactly like Mr. Vanderbilt—a spitting image of him in miniature form.

I broke free from Mrs. Vanderbilt’s hand, hiked up my princess dress, and ran toward Julian. Under the confused gazes of the adults, I grabbed his hand.

"Mom! He looks just like Dad! I want him to be my brother!"