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Chapter 1

Winter

“I need you to go pick upherroom mirror as if I’m just another member of the staff Technically, I’m her step-sister, but I’ve been tasked to help Carissa as a sort of personal assistant, or I can find a new place to stay as they have so eloquently put it At al in their home, and since I’m not blood, I’m treated as an interloper by both her father and her Granted, I should be on one, but life has its ways of holding you back

My o It started off fantastic between them, but I ell aware that it wasn’t hearts and flowers, it was money and jewels—at least on her end

I think his resentment comes from the fact that he and my mother are in the e lasted about four years, and she played her cards right like always It’s what she’s good at, playing the damsel in distress then she takes you for all you have He’s husband number three, and he fell for I’m not interested in your money bit she perfected over the years

“I’ll get it tonight,” I tell her, reading ree while working for her highness I have less than teeks until I graduate By January, I have to find a job and move out My h and dry, but that’s just the kind of person she is

Carissa clicks her heels on the marble floors and stands directly in front of the sofa where I’ She snatches o right now”

I get off my feet in a flash I’m a foot smaller than her, but she takes a step back anyway “Givefor it, but she lifts it over her head to be a total bitch

“Not until you proes me

“Why? It’s not like you’re going anywhere” Da to deserve the company, but it’s hers because she’s the heiress My skills would be put to better use in the co, but a real job that pays ood

“I don’t want you around when ets here” This new boyfriend probably knows that she’s the heiress to her father’s business and wants to get a piece of that action He can’t be attracted to her personality

“Are you serious? I live here, too,” I remind her

“You keep that up, and you won’t be living here for long If my dad didn’t feel sorry for you, he’d dump your ass on the street You’re lucky that I find you useful,” she scoffs, tilting her chin up at me

I cave because I’et et your stupid dry-cleaning” One more month and I’m out of here I need to chant that to myself repeatedly

“Good Here you go” I grab the book from her with more force than necessary, but she knoork o before he comes I don’t want you to meet Mason” I’ve never heard of this new love interest, but he h that she wants to hide me froh for them to break up

I stodown and put on my winter hat I look disheveled but screw it, I don’t care I’ for a man With my mother’s history, I could stand to stay away from all men

The trip to the dry cleaning took longer than expected with thetraffic How I hated this life It’s moments like these that I despise et a job at sixteen, but she and John refused because it would look terrible on the to fall back on I’m at the mercy of the Grables since my mother filed for divorce and moved away My mother declined to take e and didn’t let o because I served a better purpose as an indentured servant