The day I sat down to fill out my college application was the same day my adoptive parents went bankrupt.
To make matters worse, my older sister, Caitlin West, who’d randomly taken her college entrance exam and planned to go overseas, suggested we draw lots.#
One slip said college, and the other said ‘marriage alliance.
I pulled the one that said college
Later that day, Caitlin killed herself in the backseat of her wedding car.
My adoptive parents turned pale overight, blaming me for being cold and heartless.#
Even my boyfriend, Dean Hudson, who had just retumed from overseas, chose to believe that I’d bullied sweet, delicate Caitlin.
In his eyes, I was just the adopted girl who didn’t deserve to compete with her.
As payback, he bribed classmates to isolate me and make my life hell.
By the thirtieth time they shoved me into the school lake, I died.
But that time was different.
They didn’t just push me.!!
They tied a rock to me. I drowned–alive.&
I still remember standing at the lake’s edge, Dean watching from the shore, sneering like I was nothing.N
“If I didn’t have to watch over you to make sure you kept away from Caitlin, I wouldn’t bother with someone like you. You’re just a homeless mutt, Sienna. What gives you the right to fight with Caitlin over anything?”
When I opened my eyes again, I was right back at the moment we were drawing lots.
–&
The little thrill I’d felt from scoring tenth in the whole state was already gone from my face as I stared at the jar in front of me.§
My adoptive parents looked visibly uncomfortable as they turned to Caitlin.
*Sweetheart, we’re sorry. We really are. But we just can’t afford to send you abroad anymore.“>>
Caitlin’s eyes filled with tears.
Since she could walk, Mr. and Mrs. West had spoiled her, pampering her like royalty and giving her the stars and moon without any effort. She had no understanding of what it truly meant to face hardship.
Naturally, school was never a priority for her. She’d practically doodled her way through the entrance exam.
Anytime someone asked, she’d laugh and say, “Only broke people grind for domestic college exams. I’m just here to vibe. After all, I’m going abroad.“}
But the results were in, and she hadn’t even hit the bare minimum to get into a community college.
And the Wests? Totally broke.}
“There’s only one path left,” our adoptive parents said. “One of you will need to marry the Sterling family heir.”>
The Sterlings. Old money. Serious power.
If the Sterling heir didn’t have a reputation for being dangerously moody and volatile, the Wests never would have even had a chance at something like this.
My adoptive parents looked my way and sighed.”
“Sienna, your score was outstanding. But Caitlin’s our biological daughter. So, to be fair, we’ll let the two of you draw lots.”
Same as last time, one said ‘college,‘ the other ‘marriage.
“Who wants to go first?“}
Caitlin clenched her jaw, her eyes locking with mine.
1 held her gaze, calm.)
“No need to draw,” I said. “I’ll marry.”
They all froze.
For a second, there was this flicker of relief–joy, even–in Caitlin’s eyes.
“Sienna, haven’t you always dreamed of getting into Southridge Tech University?” Caitlin asked. “Are you really gonna give up your score… and let me use it to get in instead?“}
“Yeah,” Mrs. West chimed in, brows furrowed. “You’re sure about this?”
Southridge Tech has been my dream for as long as I can remember. But if chasing that dream meant ending up dead like before, it wasn’t worth it.
All I wanted now was to cut off every tie I had with the West family.”
“I’m sure,” I said. “Just consider it my way of paying you back for raising me.“}}
None of them hesitated.
That very day, they pulled strings and switched out my test results for Caitlin’s.
My adoptive parents quickly reached out to the Sterling family to finalize the wedding, and the date was scheduled for three days later.N
That night I scrolled to the very bottom of my contacts list and made a call &
33
3009
7:57 PM 9
My adoptive parents quickly reached out to the Sterling family to finalize the wedding, and the date was scheduled for three days later.
That night, I scrolled to the very bottom of my contacts list and made a call.
Dean’s gentle voice came through. “Sienna, I’m really swamped right now. Can we talk later?“}
But as I passed by Caitlin’s bedroom, I heard noises coming from inside.
