I was Julian, the Sterling family’s adopted son for eleven years, a fake young master in an elite household.
Then, when I turned twenty-one, the real heir, Asher, returned.
From that moment on, my entire adoptive family showered Asher with affection. Even Chloe, my fiancée, gazed at him with a tenderness that meant she couldn’t bear for him to suffer even a little.
The contrast with me couldn’t have been starker. My adoptive father called me trash, my adoptive mother branded me an ungrateful wretch, my adoptive sister Valerie demanded I vacate my position as the Sterling family’s son for Asher, and my fiancée insisted I hand over the prestigious university placement I’d worked three years to secure.
If I dared to disagree, the torment would begin.
Today, I sought out Chloe precisely because I couldn’t endure the torture any longer. I decided to give in.
The heavy mansion gates finally swung open, and Chloe gazed at me with an icy stare, where I’d been standing, drenched and shivering, for two agonizing hours.
“Chloe, I agree. I’ll give Asher my university placement.”
“It would have been so much easier if you’d just listened earlier,” she said, holding an umbrella over me as she led me inside.
A rare flicker of satisfaction danced in Chloe’s usually aloof eyes.
She poured me a cup of hot water, a fleeting softness on her face. “Julian, it’s good you’ve come to your senses. Your grades are exceptional; missing out on university isn’t really that important.”
“Asher is different. He was stuck in a disadvantaged neighborhood for years. His education suffered, he’s behind in his studies. It’s rare for him to show this ambition, so just help him out this time.”
Chloe’s tone, seemingly gentle yet utterly resolute, conveyed a certainty that I would bend to her will.
I stared at the woman I loved, so close to me, and my body began to tremble uncontrollably. I felt a chill that cut deeper than any rain-soaked cold outside.
This was the woman I had loved for eleven years, my girlfriend, my fiancée.
It was only today that I truly understood. She wasn’t born cold-hearted.
She simply… didn’t love me.
I couldn’t recall anything from my early childhood. From my earliest memories, I grew up in an orphanage. At ten, I was adopted by the Sterling family.
At the time, the Sterlings were heartbroken, having lost their biological son. Even with me, the atmosphere in their home was perpetually somber.
Mr. and Mrs. Sterling were strict parents. They constantly compared me to Asher, hoping I would grow into the perfect rich kid.
Those years were tough. Endless lessons, countless talents to learn, and a constant stream of scolding.
Chloe was the only light in those oppressive years.
She was ethereal, quiet, yet handled everything with effortless grace, approaching perfection.
She was like the most dazzling princess in a crowd, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away.
The Sterling and Taylor families were close. They’d always spoken of an arranged marriage between our children since we were kids.
When the real Asher went missing, that engagement fell to me, their adopted son.
From ten years old to twenty-one, I knew she was my future fiancée.
I willingly followed Chloe, my every joy and sorrow tied to her.
Chloe never explicitly reciprocated, but she never rejected me either.
She played the part of a suitable fiancée, walking by my side.
I thought she saw the boy who quietly adored her, that she was touched by me, willing to accept my affection, and offering some care in return.
But just as I believed our relationship was growing stronger, Asher returned.
And from that day, everything changed.
The burning heat of the mug in my hands jolted me back to reality. I turned and headed for the bathroom, needing to wash away not just the rain, but everything else.
Chloe stood rooted, watching my back. “Let’s go to the Maldives sometime soon. I’ll take you diving.”
My steps faltered. She always did this—offered a sweet taste just when I thought of giving up, making me reluctant to leave.
But this time, I wasn’t as happy as she expected.
I turned back, my voice cold. “Chloe, I don’t swim. Diving is out of the question.”
Asher was a swimming champion as a child, and enthusiastic about activities like diving and surfing.
It was obvious who Chloe wanted to go to the Maldives with.
Not a hint of embarrassment touched Chloe’s face. She just looked at me, completely composed, and asked, “So, where would you like to go for your vacation? I’ll handle the arrangements.”
It was rare for Chloe to ask for my opinion like that. I didn’t argue further, nor did I answer.
When I emerged from the bathroom, Chloe looked up from her phone and glanced at me. “Are you running a fever?”
I gave a bitter laugh. In the dead of winter, she’d left me outside in the rain for two hours. Of course, I had a fever.
Chloe pulled me to the bed, tucking the blankets around me. “Lie still. I’ll get some medicine.”
She had barely turned when her phone rang.
The next second, I heard Asher’s voice on the other end.
“Chloe, my stomach hurts so bad! I think I’m dying…”
“Wait there! I’m coming right now!”
Hearing his plea, a rare look of panic crossed Chloe’s face.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she walked out, completely forgetting about me, burning up with fever.
The sprawling mansion instantly felt empty. My head throbbed, hazy with fever.
In my daze, my heart ached with a dull, familiar pain.
Love and indifference, they were so painfully clear.
But thankfully, my biological parents had found me not long ago.
I picked up the overseas call I had rejected so many times before.
“About moving to the States, I’ve made up my mind. I’ll finish up my academic research here, and in two weeks, I’ll join you in America.”
“That’s wonderful, sweetheart! We’ll make it up to you, darling. After all these years, we’re finally going to be a family again.”
“For these next two weeks, spend some time with your adoptive parents, say your goodbyes.”
Goodbyes? Would anyone truly care if I left or stayed?
There was no need.
In two weeks, I would pack up everything and silently leave this place!
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