Part 2Memory & Millions

The truth is, Julian wasn’t the first Wilder brother I knew.

I met his older brother, Sebastian, first.

I was the real heiress, swapped at birth, and at seventeen I was finally brought back to my wealthy parents’ home. I was a country girl, a hick who knew nothing but how to study. I was oil to the water of the polished young men and women of high society.

To make matters worse, there was an old family agreement that I was to marry Sebastian Wilder. Everyone mocked me for it, the girl from nowhere who was supposed to marry the most eligible bachelor in the city.

But Sebastian, he sought me out in private.

“I intend to honor our families’ agreement,” he’d told me, his voice a low, steady comfort. “Focus on your SATs. Get a good score, and you can come study in the States with me.”

In that world of casual cruelty, I didn't have a single friend. His words were a lifeline.

Even my own parents were ashamed of me, refusing to publicly acknowledge my identity. The "fake" heiress, the girl who had taken my place, used the opportunity to spread rumors at school. She told everyone I was the daughter of their housekeeper.

My parents didn't deny it.

The entire school believed I was a charity case, a poor girl on scholarship. They isolated me, shunned me, whispered behind my back.

"I'm not the housekeeper's daughter," I tried to explain. "I'm the real Lockwood heiress. Isabelle is the fake one."

A group of girls cornered me in the bathroom and slapped me, hard. "A housekeeper's daughter playing princess? Isabelle doesn't even bother to argue with a clown like you, but that doesn't mean no one will put you in your place."

The leader grabbed my hair, trying to force me to my knees. "Take a good look at yourself. Do you really think you're worthy?"

I went to my teacher, my face red and swollen. She looked at me with cold dismissal. "Why do they only bully you, and not others? You should start by looking for the problem within yourself. And stop pretending to be a Lockwood. That family is kind enough to pay for your education. You should be more grateful."

In those days, I spent my nights drowning in a silent despair. And in between the waves of sadness, I memorized vocabulary for the SATs.

I had to save myself. I had to escape.

My score was good enough. Sebastian flew back personally to speak with my parents. He was taking me with him.

They agreed.

And so, it was by following Sebastian Wilder to a new country that I met Julian.