All Chapters of The Glory Thief’s Fall: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

"How could you suddenly cancel it? This is a feature interview from the Brookhaven TV station. People would kill for an opportunity like this." Ms. Adrianna Wilson sounded genuinely disappointed.I lightly tapped my fingers against the cold computer desk. "Sorry for the trouble, Ms. Wilson. It’s just… not a good time on my end."The moment I hung up, another message popped into the family group chat."Naomi wants deep-dish pizza. Let’s leave early tomorrow."I shut the laptop and headed back to my room.The second I pushed open the door, an overpoweringly sweet perfume hit me in the face.My princess-style bedroom had been turned into a bunk bed setup. The desk that used to hold all my academic trophies was now covered in Naomi Gibson’s lipstick, foundation bottles, and half a box of leaking strawberries.This room had stopped belonging to me a long time ago.I climbed onto the top bunk and froze when I saw my pillow.That day came crashing back into my mind all over again. Ca

I simply said, "You won't need to."Then I hung up.When I got back to the campsite, Ruby handed me two lamb skewers.I took them and looked at her. "I'll take the tutoring job for Tyler. I can head over in the next couple of days.""Seriously?!" Ruby's eyes lit up instantly as she turned and shouted toward her mom, "Mom! Stella said yes!"I leaned against the tent, letting the riverside breeze wash over me as white cranes glided across the distant water.From now on, I wouldn't expect anything from my family ever again.Ruby and I stayed by the river for two days.By the time Mr. Hayes parked outside my neighborhood, the sky was already dark. "Stella, we'll pick you up tomorrow at nine sharp.""Okay. Thanks, Mr. Hayes."The second I pushed open the front door, I realized my family had already returned.Naomi stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror wearing a pale blue tulle dress, spinning excitedly in circles. Luxury shopping bags were piled across the floor around he

"Don't be shy. Just make yourself at home."I sat at the dining table, staring at the spread of food in front of me.Ruby was laughing as she fought her aunt over the last braised rib while Mr. Carter carefully ladled soup into Mrs. Carter's bowl.Suddenly, my eyes started burning. So this was what a normal family looked like.No passive-aggressive comments or favoritism.No one person was constantly sacrificing while another endlessly took and took.After dinner, Mrs. Carter showed me the room they'd prepared for me.The space was modest, yet a south-facing window allowed the sun to drench the desk in light. I noticed the crisp, new linens and the daisy-shaped cushion resting on the pillow."I'm not sure if you like this color," Mrs. Carter said softly. "If you don't, I'll take you shopping tomorrow, and we'll change everything."I shook my head quickly, my voice rough with emotion. "I like it. I really like it."Mrs. Carter gently patted my shoulder. "Then get some rest. To

I paused briefly. "From today onward, I denounce this family."Then I hung up. This time, I blocked Cameron's number, too.Things spiraled far faster than I'd expected. That very night, the article got reposted onto other social media.The hashtag #HighScorerAndStillTheFamilyVillain shot straight onto the trending charts, climbing as high as number 13 nationwide.The comment section completely exploded."My blood pressure just skyrocketed. What kind of insane family forces their daughter, who scored high, to apologize to a cousin who failed the exams?!""What kind of manipulative witch is Naomi Gibson? She copied her cousin's work for three years, got exposed during the real exams, framed her cousin for hiding her admission ticket, and then claimed her cousin's exam score as her own? I'm actually speechless.""Stella got it the worst. Her whole family treated her like the villain, forced her to kneel and apologize, stole her celebration, and even told her not to wear makeup beca

"If you think it's too hard, you can always find another tutor.""No, no, no!" Tyler hurriedly grabbed the study plan and hugged it to his chest. "I like strict teachers like you! My last tutor was way too gentle. She believed everything I said."From the kitchen, Mrs. Carter poked her head out with a laugh."Stella, don't go easy on him. If he deserves to be yelled at, yell at him."Tyler groaned dramatically."Mom, are you seriously my biological mother?"I couldn't help laughing.A real laugh.The first genuine one I'd had in days.At the end of August, I officially moved into Northbridge University early.The admissions office helped arrange temporary housing for me and even found me a work-study position at the campus library.Seventeen dollars an hour.It wasn't much, but it was enough for me to support myself.On the day of orientation, I stood on the wide green lawn at Northbridge, staring up at the blue sky and drifting white clouds overhead.Everything felt stra