Chapter 2

Once the businesses had been assigned, our parents arranged the resources to run them.

They gave each of us a card, a household manager, a personal assistant, and support staff, more than thirty people altogether.

Beth clung to Father's arm. "Daddy, you're the best. I promise I'll build up the Family business, break into the Cagliari market as fast as I can, and come home with a victory to show for it."

Father stroked her hair, visibly pleased.

Beth turned to me. "How much is on your card?"

I looked down at the club membership card in my hand and said nothing.

Beth suddenly burst out laughing. She patted my shoulder. "It's okay. Mom and Dad just didn't want you spending recklessly, that's why they didn't give you cash."

"If you need anything, just tell the butler. He'll get it for you."

Mother added, "The butler and the assistant are assigned specifically to you. You're going to Cagliari alone and can't take care of yourself."

Then Mother looked me up and down. "Adele, you've never measured up to your sister. Now you don't even qualify to touch the Family business. What exactly have you been doing all these years?"

Beth rushed to my defense. "Mom, Adele does try hard. She manages without even needing staff. If anything, I should learn from her."

Those words didn't stir any gratitude in me.

I felt perfectly calm.

Every time our parents criticized me, Beth would defend me like this, but something about her words always felt off.

I just could never pinpoint what.

I snapped the expired membership card in half and tossed it in the trash. When I turned around, my brother had arrived with gifts.

He had prepared two, one for me and one for Beth.

The packages weighed the same and were wrapped in identical brown paper. For one foolish second, I felt a flicker of hope.

This was the first time we had ever received the same thing.

Beth tore hers open without hesitation. Inside was a deed. She squealed, jumped to her feet, and threw her arms around our brother.

"I love that castle in Cagliari. It's my dream home. Thank you so much."

Umberto grinned and ruffled her hair. "Your brother has had it ready for ages. He wanted to surprise you."

I glanced over and silently estimated the castle's value.

I opened mine.

Mine was a deed too, but not to a castle. It was for a cramped, ordinary apartment.

It wouldn't even compare to Beth's bedroom.

That tiny hope that we might finally be equal shattered. We still weren't.

I slipped the paper back into its wrapping and said thank you.

Then I stood and headed for the door. Beth had already seen my deed. She caught my arm. "My castle is huge, you know. If you ever want to stay, come by. I'll have someone make up a room for you."

"Sure." I answered quietly, forcing a smile for all of them.

Then I left.

I heard my brother grumble behind me. "She's still not grateful for what we got her. We already went out of our way to think of her."

"Forget it. Don't bother with her."

Umberto said, "Beth, let's see if there's anything else you need."

I quickened my pace, afraid of hearing more.

By the time I reached the garden, the voices finally faded away.

When I went back inside, everyone was gathered in the living room.

They were discussing the port business Beth was about to take over, raising their glasses of whiskey in celebration.

My entrance broke the mood.

Father frowned. "Where did you run off to without telling anyone? We're all here celebrating for Beth, and you're wandering around."

"Go pour yourself a glass."

I had been sitting right there in the garden, in plain view of the room.

I glanced over and said quietly, "I can't drink whiskey."

Father looked at me. "If you can't handle even that little bit of bitterness, how are you going to take on the Family's business someday?"

"Look at Beth. She's already taken charge of the port."

Whiskey had made me break out in hives since I was a child. My parents knew that.

I wanted to say that Father hadn't assigned me anything at all.

Yet he still compared me to Beth.

In the end I said nothing, and went back to my room.