Chapter 1

My words ignited an uproar, sending whispers cascading through the already restless ballroom.

"Didn't her biological son die in that car crash years ago? Where would another heir come from?"

"It's just damage control. Josiah made such a spectacle over a convicted felon. How could they face the Thornes after this? It's just a stall tactic."

...

Josiah Barnes's eyes widened with shock.

"Mom, stop speaking out of turn," he said. "Who else is in this family besides me? I genuinely love Ruby. Once she marries me, we all just live together in harmony."

Ruby Simpson puffed out her chest, grabbing my hand and trying to press it against her belly. "Mom, feel this. It's your grandson kicking."

I recoiled as though I'd gotten something filthy on my hand and wiped my skin several times with a napkin. "Don't call me Mom. I don't know you."

My disgust brought tears to Ruby's eyes, and she shrank back against Josiah.

Josiah glared at me, his voice thick with accusation. "Why can't you just accept Ruby? She put in all that effort getting you a gift."

I raised an eyebrow and looked at the cheap dollar-store chain he had shoved into my hand.

"You mean this?" I snorted, turning to Charlotte. "Darling, bring your gift over."

Charlotte Thorne nodded and brought over an elegant velvet jewelry box. Inside was a stunning emerald necklace, rare and exquisitely crafted.

"I know how much you love fine jewelry, Mrs. Barnes, so I personally bid on this at an auction," she said with a sweet smile.

I slipped my arm through hers, my expression warm and touched. My position couldn't have been clearer.

"Since you dislike me so much, Mrs. Barnes, I'll leave." Ruby lowered her head pitifully. "Josiah, I hope you and Ms. Thorne have a happy life together."

She had barely taken two shaky steps before she stumbled and fell onto the marble floor.

Josiah immediately rushed over and scooped her into his arms. Then he turned around, snatched the emerald necklace from Charlotte's hands, and hurled it to the floor.

"Aren't you sick of this?" he growled. "No matter how much you suck up to my mother, Ruby is the only woman I will ever love. Do you have no self-respect left, desperately throwing yourself at a man who doesn't even want you?"

Charlotte stumbled backward, fighting hard to keep her tears from falling. The guests whispered among themselves once again.

"Tsk. She's throwing herself at him, and he won't even give her a second look."

"How pathetic. She's a Thorne heiress, yet she's acting like some desperate puppy begging for attention."

...

Amid the snickers, Ruby's lips curled into a smug smile as she clung tightly to Josiah's arm, showing him off like a trophy she'd won.

Pity and mockery rained down on Charlotte from every corner of the room. As the Thorne family's cherished daughter, she had never suffered such public humiliation in her entire life.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward and delivered a resounding slap straight across Josiah's face.