Chapter 1

I huddled beside a dumpster, clutching Dad's urn to my chest as I stared at the giant outdoor screen across the street.

It was playing a birthday tribute Mom had paid for—an entire day's exclusive use of the city's central tower and every billboard surrounding it.

The price tag? 100 thousand dollars.

On the screen, Ethan Carter and his son, Henry Carter, stood shoulder to shoulder, flashing peace signs at the camera like a happy father and son. Beneath the photo read, "To our big man and little man—may you always be happy."

A cold breeze cut through the air. I wrapped my coat tighter around Dad's urn and shivered.

"They're so handsome. I can't tell who's the father and who's the son," someone said.

"He's a huge celebrity. No doubt he takes care of himself," another replied.

"They say Ms. Kelly adores Ethan. Do you think he's the secret husband she's been hiding?" someone asked.

"Wouldn't surprise me. She's always spoiling them. If they weren't family, why would she show them off like this? It's so sweet."

A passerby noticed me and slipped some cash into my hand. "You don't look homeless. Did you fight with your family?

"Where are your parents? Do you want us to take you home?"

I forced a smile. "My dad's gone… and my mom is Samantha Kelly."

They burst into laughter.

"Did you hear that? He says Ms. Kelly is his mom!"

"Kid, I work at Kelly Corp. Trust me. Ms. Kelly doesn't have a son."

They laughed and walked away, leaving me behind.

I couldn't blame them.

Mom never treated Dad and me like her husband and son.

She forbade us from telling anyone that we were related to her. Every expense had to be approved. More than once, Dad and I stood only a few steps away from her in public, yet we weren't even allowed to look at her.

Meanwhile, Ethan and Henry came and went from her office as they pleased.

When Ethan lost his voice from singing, every ENT specialist in the city was summoned the very next day. When Dad and I came down with pneumonia, all she said was, "It's just a cough. Tough it out. Men shouldn't be so weak."

Anyone would easily assume that Ethan and Henry were her real family.

Still, I endured it all because of Dad.

When I couldn't afford tuition, he begged Mom for the money. Once a proud opera singer, he cast aside every shred of his dignity to plead for money from the woman he had once loved. When I got sick, he carried me from one hospital to another. He even went so far as to sell the opera costumes, which were his family's heirlooms, to pay for my treatment.

Every time, he'd soothe my anger. "Don't be upset, Adrian. Your mother just misunderstands us. Things are going to get better someday."

Even as he lay dying on the hospital bed, he stroked my hair and whispered, "Don't hate your mother. Study hard. Live a bright, happy life…

"Don't carry anger or hatred toward her, Adrian. Live for yourself, okay?"