Chapter 1

After school, I walked home under the scorching sun. Meanwhile, Julianne Dawson rode away in her personal Maybach.

I pushed open the mansion’s heavy door and finally felt a cold breeze.

Right then, my father threw a stack of documents in front of me.

“The government’s new Children’s Fairness System is out. Put your signature down now!”

I stood frozen, and I was completely at a loss.

My brother, Jacob Dawson, stepped forward and shoved me further inside.

“Stop playing dumb. We’ve already cut you way too much slack. Annie’s put up with enough, so don’t push your luck.”

My mother pulled me aside and solemnly said, “Zinnia, I know you suffered after being switched at birth and having to grow up in the countryside, but Annie’s innocent in all this. Now that you’re home, we need to be fair to both of you.

“This system will make sure we treat you both equally. It’s the best way to avoid showing you favoritism and making Annie feel wronged.”

They wanted to treat both of us equally?

I clutched the hem of my shirt. The stiff and cheap fabric on my back was soaked in sweat. As it clung to my skin, it felt constrictive and itchy.

Meanwhile, Julianne was wearing lightweight and breathable luxury clothing. She was also eating from a fruit plate that the maid had prepared. She looked completely fresh and comfortable.

I could not help but ask, “Mom, do you really think you’ve favored me?”

My father slammed his hand on the coffee table and angrily pointed at my face.

“Zinnia, what’s that supposed to mean? We gave you everything that was rightfully Annie’s when you came back. You became the Dawson’s heiress, you got to attend a private school, and you live in this house with staff waiting on you. If that’s not favoritism, what is?

“Annie grew up in this family. She’s our baby girl. But since you arrived, she’s had to step back and sacrifice so much. This system is the only way to make things fair for her!”

His actions sent a teacup clattering from the coffee table to the floor.

I lowered my head as I found the situation utterly ridiculous.

On the day I arrived, I eagerly brought out hand-sewn dolls that I had made. I wanted to give them to Jacob and Julianne.

However, Julianne began to cry, and Jacob pushed me aside in anger.

“This is all your fault! Why did you have to come and tear our family apart?!”

My parents crowded around Julianne to check if she was okay.

I just stood there awkwardly, as I was unsure of what to do. I was an outsider, and it was painfully clear that I always would be.

My parents put me in the store room and called it a “temporary arrangement to help me transition to living with them.”

They said that I was not allowed to eat at the dinner table because Julianne was not comfortable with it.

My classmates made fun of my old-fashioned, worn-out clothes and my accent.

They tore up my homework and poured dirty water into my food. They claimed that they were standing up for Julianne.

I went to my parents in tears, but they told me that I was just making excuses for my poor grades.

They could not even be bothered to attend my parent-teacher meetings. They never cared about my progress. Instead, they always fought to go to Julianne’s meetings.

I knew that what we had could not compare to the deep bond Julianne shared with my parents. I constantly told myself to wait a little longer for my family’s affection.

Yet, they claimed that they had been favoring me.

I picked up the documents from the floor, and the heading caught my eye.

[The Children’s Fairness System ensures that parents avoid favoritism and partiality. It guarantees children truly equal treatment.]

“Fine. I’ll sign it.”

I no longer held any hope of receiving their affection.

I only endured my stay here because the Riverton school district had lower score requirements. This would give me a better chance of getting into a good university.

Once I got my SAT results, I would leave this family forever.