Chapter 1

Yvonne's POV

Right after I sent that text, my sister, Nancy Wood, started screeching, "Yvonne's got a secret stash of money, Mom! I saw it! She hid it somewhere in her bed!"

I rushed out to explain, but my mother, Karen Carter, was already frowning in displeasure. "What? You're hiding money?"

I waved my hands as I blurted, "I didn't! I only had 20 dollars left. It's just that one of them got stuck in the bed by accident!"

I tried my best to explain, but Karen didn't believe me. I quickly went back into my room and opened up the ledger. Every transaction I'd made was recorded there as clear as day. "It's really my money."

Karen scanned the ledger, and her face fell. Then, she clicked her tongue and demanded, "Why do you have a record of this?"

I was stunned. "I just want to prove—"

"Prove what?" Karen barked impatiently. "That we're treating you badly? That we're unfair to you? Have you forgotten that you're not even supposed to live here? You're only staying here thanks to Nancy! Apologize to her right now!"

She was so pushy that there was no room left for negotiation.

Nancy crossed her arms and looked at me imperiously. "This is the Wood household, and you're a Riverson now. What you own—your room, your clothes, and even your money belong to me."

I felt my heart squeeze while my eyes burned with unshed tears. However, I couldn't voice my grievances. Instead, I forced my back to bend low and apologize.

"Right. Now, clean up and get ready for dinner," Karen ordered as she swanned away, pretending as if nothing had ever happened.

I couldn't resist getting a shot in as I sniped, "I didn't get to put in my application, Mom."

She looked at me and said coolly, "So? It's your fault for paying the fee so late. Besides, we've already done our due diligence by paying for your high school fees."

Nancy sneered and shoved me away. Then, she went into the kitchen to search for food. Karen quickly stopped her. "Don't. It's still hot." Then, she glared at me. "Come on, don't just stand there! Serve the food already!"

My heart twisted at the differential treatment. I didn't know why I was still feeling that way. After all, I've known since forever that I'd never be the one they cared about. For starters, they only ever cooked Nancy's favorites.

My father, Robert Wood, kept piling food on her plate, while my mother would ask her if school was tiring her out.

I sat quietly and ate. The rules said I could only have plain pasta.

Just then, Karen pretended to finally acknowledge that I was there by throwing a shrimp onto my plate as if she was showering me with great generosity. "Eat. This one's on the house."

I looked at the shrimp but didn't touch it. Karen's face fell from the perceived insult.

So, she grabbed the shrimp and tossed it to the dog. Roundy happily ate it and barked at my mother.

She remarked sarcastically, "Even the dog knows how to show gratitude, but you? Hah!"

I said quietly, "I'm allergic to that."

Karen's face froze at my response. Nancy rolled her eyes. "Gosh, you are such a princess! It's not like you'd die eating one little shrimp!"

I hung my head low and murmured quietly, "I actually will die if I have one shrimp."

That same amount of money spent on Claritin could cover four of my meals or four days of rent. So, I could never afford that.

Robert slammed his fork down. "How dare you make a fuss at dinner! What right do you have to keep talking back to Nancy? Look at what you did! You've upset everyone over one single dollar!"

He glared at me with impatience in his eyes. "I don't care how much Nancy saves. You're only getting a dollar next month!"