Part 1The Sister They Threw Away

In my last life, my parents divorced. My sister went with my wealthy mother; I was left with my bankrupt father.

Who could have guessed that Mom’s remarriage would land her with an abusive monster, her life spiraling from bad to worse? Meanwhile, my father, having hit rock bottom, clawed his way back and built a new empire.

My sister, eaten alive by jealousy, plunged a knife into my stomach.

When I opened my eyes again, we were back on the day our parents walked out of the courthouse, divorce papers in hand.

This time, my sister didn't miss a beat. “I love Daddy,” she declared. “I want to stay with Daddy.”

A giddy relief washed over me. I had no desire to relive a life on the run.

* * *

My sister, Sophie, wrapped her arms around Dad’s arm, her voice a saccharine sweet coo.

“Daddy, please let me stay with you! I love you the most, and I don’t mind being poor, I swear!”

To see Sophie, who’d been selfish and demanding her entire life, say something so selfless was enough to make our father’s heart melt. He was so moved, he completely missed the thundercloud forming on our mother’s face.

“Absolutely not,” Mom snapped, stepping forward. “Sophie will have a hard life with you. I have to take her.”

So, Sophie going with Dad meant a life of hardship, but me? I was apparently disposable.

My parents fought over Sophie’s custody like two dogs over a bone. It was as if I were invisible, a ghost in the room. In the end, they couldn’t argue with Sophie’s own iron-willed decision to go with Dad.

Only then did Mom turn to me, her choice made by default.

I followed her into the gleaming black Mercedes that belonged to my future stepfather.

Sophie, clutching Dad’s hand, practically skipped away. Just before she left, she shot a triumphant, challenging look over her shoulder at me.

I didn’t care.

After all, at this moment, Mom had all the money, and Dad’s life was a complete disaster.