Part 3The Actress

In the luxurious walk-in closet, I stuffed the last diamond necklace into my bag with practiced efficiency.

I never enjoyed the wealth, so why should I suffer the poverty with them?

Not happening.

I tiptoed past the study. Through the crack in the door, Dad's voice sounded weak but with an odd undertone. The family doctor was there too.

The doctor sighed. "Aren't you afraid of breaking the child's heart?"

The rest was muffled, but that sentence was crystal clear.

I froze.

Dad's overly dramatic chest-clutching before he "fainted" flashed in my mind. In a split second, it clicked—a test!

They were testing me!

Human nature can't stand up to testing, but my acting can.

Sterling Method Acting, showtime!

I kicked the full bag into a corner and sprinted for the master bedroom.

Mom was staring out the window, her back looking desolate.

"Mom!"

I threw myself at her, my voice hoarse with suppressed tears, hugging her tight. "I'm not leaving! I'm not going anywhere. No matter how hard it gets, I'll stay with you. A daughter doesn't leave her family because they're poor. I'll take care of you and Dad!"

The tears came on cue, hot and heavy, soaking her silk robe.

I looked up, my eyes full of desperate determination.

Mom stiffened, then trembled violently. She hugged me back, sobbing, a flash of guilt in her eyes. "Chloe... my Chloe..."

I felt her warmth, buried my face in her shoulder, and allowed the corner of my mouth to twitch up just a fraction where no one could see.

Poor for a moment versus poor for a lifetime—I, Chloe Sterling, know how to count.