Chapter 1

I used to be the beloved little princess of the Colobo family.

Then, on my eighteenth birthday, my father brought home Sophia.

She was the daughter of the old friend who had once saved his life. Out of guilt, he gave her a place in our home.

Then he gave her my place too.

My brother began protecting her and hating me.

My childhood friend, Luca Rizzo, fell for her and left me behind.

Even my father said Sophia deserved the Colobo name more than I did, though I was his biological daughter.

On the day I graduated from college, they broke their promise to me for the ninety-ninth time because of her.

I finally lost control.

“Am I not your own daughter?”

My father pulled Sophia behind him as if I were the danger, then slapped me across the face.

“You jealous little thing. I should have given everything to her instead.”

My brother looked at me like I was something dirty.

“You don’t deserve a place in the Colobo family. Get out.”

So I left.

They thought I was only throwing another tantrum.

They took Sophia to Switzerland to see the snow-covered mountains, certain that silence would teach me to behave. They thought I would calm down, come home, and beg for my place again.

But this time, I called the research institute in Australia whose offer I had once turned down for them.

“I accept,” I said.

By the time the Colobo family realized I was truly gone, my phone number no longer existed.

And so did Isabella Colobo.

...

“Professor Hayes, about the research position in Australia. I accept.”

The other end of the line went quiet for a second before his voice sharpened with surprise.

“Isabella, are you serious? You turned us down before.”

“I know,” I said.

“This is a long-term project. Once you join the base, outside contact will be limited. You may not be able to return for years. Have you thought this through?”

“I have.”

Professor Hayes was silent for a moment.

“Did something happen with your family?”

I did not answer.

Two years ago, when the institute first invited me, I had almost said yes. The project was remote, confidential, and difficult to get into. It was the kind of chance people fought for their entire lives.

But my father refused.

He said Australia was too far, the project was too long, and the Colobo family could not afford to have me disappear from their reach for years.

Marco had been even worse. He held my hand so tightly it hurt and asked me how he was supposed to live if I left for the other side of the world.

Even Luca said the engagement could wait for many things, but not years of distance and silence.

So I stayed.

Now they had forgotten every word.

“It’s nothing,” I said softly. “I just don’t want to miss this chance again.”

Professor Hayes let out a quiet breath.

“Then come. The institute will book your flight. Once you arrive, we will take care of everything.”

“Okay.”

The confirmation arrived almost as soon as the call ended. The flight was in three days.

Then Professor Hayes sent another message.

[Isabella, say your goodbyes before you leave. Once you enter the project, your old life will be difficult to return to.]

Say goodbye.

I thought of my father, my brother, and Luca from the Rizzo family, all of whom had grown tired of me to the point of disgust.

Three days would be enough.

I turned off my phone and stood on the street corner for a long time.

Autumn was already cold. The wind cut through the street and chilled my fingers stiff.

Still, I picked up my phone and called my father. We were bound by blood. No matter how ugly things had become, I should at least say goodbye.

He hung up at once.

When I called again, his phone was off.

I forced myself to call my brother.

It rang for a long time before he finally answered, as if granting me a favor.

The other end was noisy, like some kind of gathering. His voice was low and angry.

“Do you have any idea Sophia is receiving a family honor right now? Your call almost interrupted the ceremony.”

Pain spread through my chest.

A family honor.

It was given only once a year to those who had made special contributions to the family. Growing up, I had watched my father award it to others and believed that one day, I would stand on that stage too.

It turned out the one standing there was Sophia.

I swallowed the ache and spoke carefully.

“Brother, we haven’t seen each other in a long time. Can I see you tonight?”

He gave a cold laugh.

Afraid he would say something even crueler, I quickly added, “The emerald necklace Sophia has always wanted. I had someone bid for it in London. I can bring it over, okay?”

Sophia was the girl my father had adopted.

Since the day she came into the Colobo family, I had never lowered myself to her like this.

My brother only sneered at my humility.

“Isabella, what are you trying to pull this time? Last time, you nearly ruined Sophia at the family council. What are you planning now?”

It felt as if a blade had cut through my chest.

The brother who once promised to believe me forever was gone.

“No, Brother. I just want to see you.”

“I don’t want to see you.”

Someone interrupted him.

Sophia’s sweet voice came through the phone.

“Brother, don’t say that to Isabella. She’ll be hurt.”

“It’s been so long since we saw her. Let’s meet her.”

After a brief pause, she added, “But I just received the honor today, and I’m too tired to go out. Let’s have dinner at home.”

Then she said, “I want peanut butter pie. The pastry chef is sick. Can Isabella make it?”

“Yes.”

I agreed almost immediately.

“I’ll come back and make it now.”

I hung up before they could change their minds.

I had even forgotten that I was severely allergic to peanuts.

This was the day Sophia received an honor from the Colobo family.

And I was using the last of my strength to beg them to look at me.