Chapter 2

Brielle spoke up then, her tone soft and weak. "Mom, that doesn't seem fair… Sophia won't be happy about it…"

Victor snorted coldly. "What does she have to be unhappy about? She's not even part of the Russell family."

Heath nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Brielle, you've suffered so much all these years. We need to make it up to you. It's only right that your sister makes some sacrifices for you."

Sophia looked at this family and laughed.

How had she not seen it in her past life? The Russell family was utterly cold-blooded. Even after all those years together, they didn't care about her feelings at all.

Thinking back to her days of torture in the psychiatric hospital, she felt a chill run through her body. She didn't want to stay here even one more minute.

Sophia slowly lifted her head. Her eyes no longer held pleading or desperation. Instead, they carried a terrifying calm. "Who said I don't want to go back?"

The Russell family's eyes all landed on Sophia, faces full of surprise.

How had this girl—who'd just been crying and refusing to leave—suddenly changed her mind? Had she come to her senses?

Sophia leaned back on the sofa, her tone flat. "Victor's right. I'm not part of the Russell family. I shouldn't be clinging to you. Staying here just makes things awkward for everyone. I should go back to my real family."

All she wanted now was for the Russells to agree quickly and let her leave. She truly didn't want even the slightest connection to this family anymore.

Amara's expression shifted, a trace of embarrassment crossing her face. "That's not what we meant. We raised you for eighteen years—of course we'd hate to see you go. But Brielle is also our daughter. We just hope that, as the older sister, you can be a little accommodating."

Brielle thought Sophia was playing some reverse psychology game. She chimed in as well. "Sophia, I just want to stay with the Russell family and be a good daughter to Mom and Dad. I'm not trying to steal your place. Please don't overthink it."

What a performance.

Sophia felt sick just looking at Brielle's fake, syrupy act.

But fine. Two could play at this game.

She met Brielle's gaze, her expression earnest. "You're so filial. I should learn from you. My biological parents are coming to pick me up soon, and I should go back and be a good daughter to them too."

Brielle blinked, caught off guard. She couldn't tell if Sophia was being sincere or sarcastic. She probed cautiously. "Are you serious?"

"Of course. Otherwise, if I stay here, I'll just compete with you for Mom and Dad's love. That wouldn't make you feel good either, right?"

Sophia said it with such sincerity. She genuinely hoped Brielle would take the bait—show some possessiveness, hurry up and push her out the door. Every second she stayed here made her skin crawl.

Heath frowned. "What kind of talk is that? Brielle is very sensible. She's not petty like you. She genuinely wants to get along with you."

'Genuine, my ass.'

Sophia didn't bother arguing. She grabbed a piece of paper instead. "If you don't believe me, I'll write a pledge. I promise that once I leave, I won't bother you again."

She started scribbling on the paper.

Amara panicked and quickly stopped her. "That's not necessary. If you've made up your mind, we'll respect your decision. It's just…"

She hesitated before continuing. "I've made some inquiries. Your biological family isn't well-off. You have a brother who's an addict, and your grandfather is terminally ill. Are you sure you want to go back to a family like that?"

Sophia nodded repeatedly. "No matter what they're like, they're still my parents. You've always taught me not to look down on people because they're poor. How could I abandon them just because they don't have money?"

She'd already made up her mind. Even if she had to beg on the streets with her biological parents, she'd never be the Russell family's dog again.

Amara and Heath exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss for words.

The only person in the room quietly celebrating was Brielle. She'd been racking her brain for ways to get rid of Sophia—and now Sophia was leaving on her own. Perfect.

Just then, the butler approached. "Mr. Russell, Mrs. Russell, they've arrived."

Sophia jumped to her feet excitedly. "My parents are here to pick me up! I'll go pack!"

Without waiting for a response, she bolted upstairs, as if she couldn't leave fast enough.

Even Victor, who usually couldn't stand her, frowned at her behavior.

Sophia packed her things quickly, ran back downstairs, and charged straight out the door without so much as a goodbye.

Amara watched her retreating figure, hesitating. "Do you think… she's really not coming back?"

After all, she'd raised Sophia for eighteen years. At this moment, at least, she still felt something for her.

"She'll be back." Victor said decisively. "I know her too well. She's just throwing a tantrum because we asked her to give up her room for Brielle. Give it a few days—she'll come crawling back in tears."

Heath nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Sophia's been spoiled her whole life. Let her suffer a bit at her biological parents' place. Maybe then she'll appreciate how good she had it here."

Brielle listened quietly, saying nothing on the surface—but inside, she was seething.

It seemed the Russell family still had feelings for Sophia. If she really came back, they'd definitely take her in again.

No. Brielle needed to find a way to completely destroy Sophia's image so she could monopolize her parents' and brother's love.

Sophia walked out the door and looked around for a while, but she didn't see anyone—just a Ferrari parked at the entrance.

Her biological family was supposed to be poor. There was no way they could afford a car like that. Sophia kept scanning the area, afraid she'd miss her chance to reunite with her parents.

Suddenly, the Ferrari's door opened. A young man wearing sunglasses stepped out—tall, dressed head-to-toe in designer streetwear, radiating cool confidence and wealth.

He walked straight toward Sophia.

"Hey, you're Sophia, right?" The man pulled off his sunglasses, revealing a strikingly handsome face.

Sophia looked him up and down, her guard up. "Who are you?"

"I'm your brother. Atticus Douglas."

Sophia's eyes widened. She glanced at the Ferrari behind him, disbelief written all over her face. "That car is yours?"

"Yep." Atticus scratched his head, looking a bit sheepish. "I was in a rush this morning. Didn't have time to switch to a better car. Sorry you have to settle for this one."

Sophia couldn't believe her ears.

A Ferrari isn't good enough? Victor had begged their parents for ages, and Amara still refused to buy him one.

This was flexing on another level.

But then another thought struck her. Something didn't add up. Weren't her biological parents supposed to be dirt poor? And wasn't her brother an addict? How could he possibly afford a car like this?

Unless… had he bought it with drug money?

"You… don't do drugs, do you?" Sophia asked cautiously.