Chapter 2

Tara's expression darkened, and she let out a cold laugh.

"Zach, it's not like retaking the exam next year is such a big deal for you. Is this attitude really necessary?"

"Exactly, Zach." Cyrus sighed. "Tara's only thinking of what's best for the three of us. Your grades are so good, you'll have no problem passing next year."

I stared at Cyrus's pretty face and almost laughed out of pure anger.

"Sacrificing someone else's future to make room for your little romance. How noble of you both."

I stood up and glanced at the clock on the wall. Five o'clock exactly. Right on cue, the bell rang, marking the end of the exam period.

"Time's up. I should be getting home."

I grabbed my bag without bothering to look at either of them again.

"Best wishes to the two of you. May you live happily ever after."

I hailed my own taxi back to the Tipton family estate.

The moment I stepped out of the car, a black Rolls-Royce pulled up right beside me. Cyrus climbed out, and the driver scrambled to carry his bag and hold an umbrella over his head, completely ignoring me, the actual heir standing right there.

Cyrus and I walked inside together.

My parents, who'd been waiting in the living room, broke into smiles the instant they saw us and hurried over. Except their eyes swept right past me and landed on Cyrus.

"Cyrus, you're home! Are you tired? How'd the exam go?"

My mother took Cyrus's hand, fussing over him with obvious affection.

Cyrus smiled sweetly, though he couldn't quite hide the smugness in his voice.

"Dad, Mom, I think I did really well. Tara and I compared answers right after the test. Our scores should easily get us into Boxwood."

"Really? That's wonderful! You're no doubt the son we raised with so much care!"

My father beamed, his eyes shining with pride.

Cyrus suddenly turned, as if just now noticing me, and said with a bright smile, "Zach must have done well too, right?"

That was when my mother seemed to remember I existed. She turned toward me, the warmth in her smile fading noticeably, and asked, almost as an afterthought, "Zach, how was your exam?"

Watching their two completely different reactions, all I felt was bitter irony. In their eyes, I was the son they'd found halfway through, someone who'd never measure up to the fake heir they'd raised with their own hands.

I answered flatly. "It was fine."

"Fine's good enough. We never expected much from you anyway. As long as you get into some school, that's all that matters."

My father waved a hand, clearly uninterested in discussing the topic any further.

Cyrus took the opportunity to loop his arm through our father's, playing the doting son.

"Dad, since Tara and I both did so well, shouldn't we throw a celebration dinner? I'd love to invite everyone from school to come celebrate with us."

"We'll throw one! Of course we will!" Father said cheerfully. "And not just our family, either. We'll get the Mowrys in on it too!"

Cyrus's lips curved into a satisfied smile as he turned to look at me.

"Zach, I know you probably don't understand what it means to get into a school as prestigious as Boxwood. But you should definitely come to the dinner tomorrow and share in the good luck."

I gave Cyrus a cold look, said nothing, and went straight upstairs.

The moment I got to my room, my phone buzzed. The class group chat was flooded with messages, everyone comparing answers and estimating their scores. Then Cyrus sent a long message of his own.

[To celebrate the end of the graduate exam for me and Tara, our families, the Tiptons and the Mowrys, are hosting a joint dinner tomorrow night. We'd love for everyone to come celebrate with us. Please do us the honor of joining!]