The True Legacy

"I'm sorry, Marshall," my mother Olivia Bourn said, her voice trembling, "but we have no choice. We can't afford to offend the Davidsons."She pressed a handkerchief to the corner of her eye, pretending to be heartbroken. Watching her fake tears made my stomach twist.Everyone in Jezelworth knew who Abby Davidson was—she was practically the queen of the city. Half a year ago, an accident left her legs injured. Since then, she had become even colder and crueler, like a living devil.And the man she wanted to marry was none other than Wallace Bourn, the heir of the Bourns.But now, instead of Wallace, I was being pushed forward to take his place.I was the Bourns' adopted son, the "fake heir", so I was offered as a sacrifice.Wallace stood nearby, unable to hide the smug smile tugging at his lips.A lawyer's voice cut through the silence. "Mr. Marshall, once you sign this agreement, you'll officially become Ms. Davidson's husband. As compensation, the Bourns will pay you a generou

I didn't back down or say anything, just looked at Abby as if I was studying her. Her impatience turned to icy anger. "You're not afraid of me?"My calmness, to her, was like a challenge. Why would a pawn sent to be played with, a sacrifice pushed to the slaughter, act so steadily?Next, I heard the soft thud of the cashmere blanket sliding to the floor.She braced the armrests of the wheelchair, and her body tightened. Then, with a harsh sound of fabric, she stood up from the wheelchair!The weak, sick act she used to wear was torn away by her own hands.Faced with her tall and strong frame, I suddenly felt as if the room was closing in on me.As she walked toward me, I stepped back without thinking."Who gave you the right to look at me like that?"Before she finished, her long, strong hand shot out and clamped my throat like lightning.I felt the air cut off, and my face turned red from lack of oxygen. I was forced to lift my head and meet her eyes full of murder."What

The way the Bourns kept taking and never giving made one thing very clear. In their eyes, I wasn't a son or a brother. I was just a tool they could throw away anytime."If they want a sad little drama, then let's give them one," I suggested. "The worse it looks, the more they'll put all their hopes on Wallace and that safe in the countryside. That way, they'll stop bothering us."Abby understood right away.We had to make them believe that I was being driven to the edge by her cruelty, too broken to think of anything else, and certainly not about that safe.So from that day on, we both reached a quiet agreement and started playing our parts.Abby kept pretending to be the cold, unpredictable woman everyone in town feared, and I acted like the poor stand-in husband she was slowly breaking down.I waited for the right time, then called Olivia."Mom?" My voice shook, tired and weak."What's wrong? You sound weak. You're a grown man—pull yourself together!" she snapped."Mom… I ca

The night of the charity gala glittered with bright lights and famous faces.The event, personally organized by Abby, was one of the biggest business galas in Jezelworth that year, drawing in nearly every wealthy family in the city.The Bourns, being the supposed stars of the evening, were seated in the most prominent spot up front.Olivia wore a custom-made evening gown, holding herself with the air of a successful businesswoman as she mingled and chatted with other elites.Conrad and Wallace looked sharp in their designer suits, basking in the admiring and envious stares from everyone around.When Abby and I walked in, the entire room seemed to stir.She was still in her wheelchair, her face calm and unreadable.Wallace lifted his glass of champagne and swaggered over to us, a smug grin curling his lips."Hey, you guys made it." He glanced down at me with mock warmth, then deliberately flicked his eyes toward Abby's legs. "I heard things haven't been easy for you, Marshall. W

The whole gala hall fell into a strange, eerie silence.Everyone stared at Olivia on stage as if she were some kind of monster."N-No… It wasn't me…"Olivia finally found her voice after the shock. She sat weakly on the floor, pointing at the big screen and shaking her head manically."It's all fake… Abby and Marshall framed me… They're trying to ruin me!"She screamed and struggled like a mad dog, trying to fight back one last time.But no one believed her."Framed? Olivia, when you planned that accident and killed my parents, did you ever think this day would come?" Abby said."When you stole my father's inheritance and threw me out like trash, did you ever think this day would come?" This time, I was the one who spoke.I stepped out from behind Abby and walked slowly toward her."You treated me as if I were worthless and treasured a housekeeper's son instead. You spent your whole life climbing over others, stepping on their bones just to reach the top. But in the end, wh