Chapter 1

Outside the courthouse, my mother, Melissa Tanner, shoved my duffel bag into my arms. She pulled out her phone and kept checking the date of the lottery drawing before waving me off.

"Don't call me unless it's important. I've got a whole family to deal with over here."

All she cared about was that ten-million-dollar lottery ticket. She couldn't wait to get rid of me, the burden in her life.

I said nothing. Bag in hand, I walked over to the Maybach waiting at the curb.

My father, Derek Bennett, frowned as he eyed my threadbare, pilled clothes.

The back window rolled down. Carson Sutton, my stepmother's son, pinched his nose in disgust. "So this is your son from the sticks, Mr. Bennett? What's that sour reek coming off his clothes?"

In the front passenger seat, his older sister, Natalie Sutton, turned and gave me a cold once-over. She didn't say a word, but the contempt in her eyes was unmistakable.

Dad stood outside the car door, looking flustered and awkward. He wanted to offer to buy me some new clothes, but he was too afraid of upsetting his new family.

My stepmother, Rebecca Sutton, noticed his hesitation and closed the file in her hands. "Let's go to the mall first and get the kid a few outfits."

I kept my eyes down and nodded.

…

I followed them into an upscale mall, where the glaring lights made my eyes sting.

Rebecca had a sales associate bring over several outfits from this season's new collection.

Dad pulled me behind a clothing rack and lowered his voice. "Pick the cheapest outfit. Don't act like you've never seen nice things before. Rebecca may have money, but it isn't yours. Behave yourself, and don't make things difficult for me."

I stared at his moving lips in a daze. I couldn't remember the last time he'd worried this much about me. It was just a shame none of it came from genuine love.

I turned away and idly browsed the rack in front of me.

Carson walked over and saw me looking at a white shirt. He immediately snatched it away and shot me a challenging look. "I'm taking this one. You don't deserve to wear anything this nice."

Dad immediately plastered on a smile. "It really would look sharper on Carson. Felix can pick something else."

I looked at Dad's profile—at how hard he was scrambling to please them—and quietly stepped back, pointing to a random discounted T-shirt instead.

Rebecca walked over and glanced at it. Frowning slightly, she turned to the associate. "Ring up that white shirt from earlier, along with these new arrivals. Get everything in his size."

Carson stomped his foot in frustration. "Mom, why are you buying him such expensive clothes?"