Chapter 1

My ex-fiance Enzo Vitale stared at me, waiting for me to give in.

I pushed him away and said coldly, "Enzo, you should go keep Victoria company. My art exhibition is about to start. Please get out of my way."

My sister, Victoria Moretti, had just woken up from her coma and was constantly clinging to Enzo. In the Moretti family, her needs always came before mine.

Enzo's hand froze in midair. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes. "Franca, you used to say you wanted me by your side for every important moment in your life."

I walked forward and replied, "I was foolish back then. Now, I don't dare hope for that anymore."

When I stepped out of the garage, our family car was waiting beside the fountain. My parents were standing by the door in their custom-made outfits.

Papa stepped forward with a gentle smile.

"You may be adopted, but we raised you for 20 years. Our love for you is real." He patted my shoulder, his tone firm. "It's your first solo exhibition. Of course we're going to be there."

Suddenly, he fell silent. His gaze shifted past my shoulder to the front doors of the villa.

Victoria stood on the steps in a pale nightgown, swaying unsteadily as tears silently streamed down her face. She looked at us for a long moment before suddenly turning around and stumbling back inside.

My parents' expressions changed instantly. They lost all composure and rushed after her.

I stood there in the wind and faintly heard Victoria crying from inside the villa.

"Are you going to leave me alone again?" she asked. "Do you have any idea how miserable I was in that hospital? She's just your adopted daughter. You're not even related by blood, so why do you care so much about her?"

Barely two minutes later, my parents came back out with Victoria between them, each holding one of her hands.

Mamma looked at me awkwardly and explained, "Franca, Victoria has missed out on so much because of her illness. She really didn't want to miss your art exhibition this time."

I simply nodded. There was no point in protesting. I knew how this family worked. The moment Victoria cried, I was expected to give in.

I had fought for my place before, only to become the laughingstock of the entire family. Everyone whispered behind my back that if Victoria hadn't fallen into a coma after her accident, I would never have become part of the Moretti family.

Now I knew better. Anything she wanted, I handed over on a silver platter.

Inside the gallery, stylish guests crowded around me, chatting and admiring my work. Suddenly, Victoria pushed her way through the crowd with an innocent smile and interrupted us. Everyone's attention immediately shifted to her.

"What a lovely young lady," a guest remarked. "Franca, is this your friend?"

Before I could answer, Victoria smiled and slipped her arm through the woman's. "Oh, no! We're sisters. I'm the Morettis' biological daughter. She's the adopted one."

She tilted her head, her voice sweet and innocent. "My parents spent a fortune over the years nurturing my sister's talent for painting. She may not be related to us by blood, but they've always treated her like their own."

Her words caused an immediate stir. The guests exchanged glances and began to drift away. When they looked at me again, I could see pity and contempt in their eyes.

I stood alone at the edge of the gallery. Mamma walked over and stopped three steps away from me. That was the distance Victoria had demanded. She didn't allow me to get too close to Mamma.

"After the exhibition, we'll issue an official statement announcing that you're adopted. But you're still a Moretti. No one will dare look down on you."

I calmly shook my head. "There's no need. I'm already grateful that you and Papa came today."

Once the exhibition was over, I would finally leave the Moretti family for good.