6
2006
The next day at school, I deliberately dressed down. A simple white shirt and jeans.
Jenna, on the other hand, had picked out this year’s limited–edition Chanel suit from my closet. She and Leo
arrived at school in one of our luxury cars.
Tacky and shallow.
The way people looked at me on campus had changed.
The story of my mysterious origins had spread like wildfire. If I hadn’t managed to switch myself back all
those years ago, would I be like the fake heiresses in novels, lost and full of self–doubt?
A few of the girls who normally hung around me were now flanking Jenna.
“Lila, I can’t believe you still have the nerve to show your face here,” said Hannah, a girl who had always tried
to suck up to our group. “If I were you, I’d find a hole to hide in. Or better yet, go back to your real family inst-
ead of embarrassing yourself here.”
My best friend, Sadie, never liked her.
“Whether I come to school or not is none of your business,” I retorted. “Besides, what makes you so sure she‘
Is the real Clark heiress?”
Hannah sneered. “Even Leo himself confirmed Jenna’s identity. How could it be fake?”
Jenna tilted her chin up, a smug look on her face.
Before I could say anything, Sadie jumped in. “If you’ve never heard of a little thing called DNA, maybe you should go back to class and study. What, did you forget to brush your teeth, or does your mouth always spew that much garbage?”
I had to hide a smile.
In my 18 years of life, I’d never experienced anything this entertaining.
It seemed this whole “real vs. fake heiress” drama was a great way to see who around me was a true friend
and who was just a snake.
This game was fun. So fun, I didn’t want it to end.
Sadie took my hand and pulled me away.
Chapter 2
ני
20.06
“Sadie, did you ever, for a second, doubt who I was?”
She turned and flicked me on the forehead. “Don’t be an idiot. Even if you weren’t a Clark, my family can
afford to keep you.”
My nose tingled. Before I could hug her, she spoke again, her tone serious. “Just so you know, it’s not just
your brother who’s been getting close to Jenna. Your fiancé seems to be spending a lot of time with her, too.”
My fiancé?
Back in the celestial archives, when I was picking out my destiny, I’d focused on finding a happy, wealthy
family with a doting brother. I’d completely forgotten to check on my romantic fate.
