Part 1The Long-Lost Daughter Comes Home

When my birth parents showed up to claim me, I wasn’t exactly thrilled.

“From what I’ve seen, the long-lost daughter never wins against the perfect, adopted one,” I told them, my expression grim. “She usually ends up miserable, or worse. I think I’ll pass.”

They rushed to reassure me.

“Don’t be silly, dear. Vivian is so gentle and kind. We’re sure you two will get along wonderfully.”

I nodded slowly and pulled out my phone.

“To prepare for the possibility that she tries to ruin my life, you’ll need to familiarize yourselves with the classic ‘evil adopted sister’ playbook. Here are one hundred ‘Real vs. Fake Heiress’ web dramas. Watch them all, and then I’ll consider coming home with you.”

After binge-watching the entire playlist, my parents were horrified.

“This is all just trashy fiction,” my mother insisted, though her voice wavered. “Vivian would never do any of these things.”

I gave a noncommittal shrug and produced a document.

“Then you won’t mind signing this. It’s a compensation agreement. For every time I’m victimized, you pay me. Five thousand for a false accusation. Ten thousand for a minor injury. Major injuries will be negotiated separately.”

* * *

Convinced I was overthinking things, my parents signed without a second thought.

It didn’t take long for them to regret it.

I hadn’t been in the Lockwood mansion for more than thirty minutes before Vivian announced that her necklace was missing.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, her voice trembling, as if I’d already subjected her to unspeakable cruelty.

“Sophia,” she pleaded, “that platinum necklace was a birthday gift from Mom and Dad. Please, just give it back! I know you’re their real daughter now. You can have anything else, just not that…”

My parents’ brows furrowed instantly, and they turned to me, ready to launch an interrogation.

I wordlessly pulled out my phone, cued up one of the web dramas, and held it out to them.

“See?” I said, my voice flat. “The classic ‘framing for theft’ plotline. It’s right here.”

They froze, the accusations dying on their lips. They exchanged an awkward glance.

“Vivian, dear, why don’t you look again?” my mother said, forcing a smile. “I’m sure your sister wouldn’t take your things.”

Vivian stared, utterly stunned. She clearly hadn’t expected them to take my side.

“So you all think I’m lying? I get it,” she wailed. “Now that your real daughter is back, you don’t want me anymore. Why am I even still here?”

She shot up and bolted for the door.

I scrubbed the progress bar on the video. “The ‘running away from home’ gambit. Also in the playbook.”

Vivian’s footsteps faltered for a split second before she burst into louder sobs and vanished into the night.

“Vivian! It’s dangerous outside! Come back!” my father yelled, chasing after her so frantically that one of his loafers flew off his foot.

My mother’s eyes filled with tears as she turned on me.

“Sophia, Vivian is your sister. You are both my precious daughters. Can’t you just be a little nicer to her?”

I was genuinely confused.

“She’s the one not being nice to me. She accused me of being a thief…”

My mother cut me off. “Vivian is feeling insecure right now. As her older sister, you need to be more understanding.”

“You mean I should have taken the blame for stealing?”

She sighed. “Whatever happened, just apologize to her when she gets back. She’s never had to suffer a day in her life. I can’t imagine how upset she must be.”

“Forcing the innocent party to apologize to the guilty one,” I said, tapping my phone screen. “A very common trope in these dramas.”

My mother’s face went stiff. She didn’t dare say another word.

I didn’t forget our agreement. I opened my Venmo app.

“Five thousand for the false accusation. You can pay me now.”