Chapter 1
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The sun was setting on Rosalie Moreno’s life with the Moreno family, and she had hoped for a silent farewell. But as she tiptoed towards the door, ready to vanish into the dusk, Jennifer Moreno, her adoptive mother, summoned her with a voice that cut through the quiet.
In the living room, Yuri Moreno, the family’s true daughter, nestled close to Yosef Lennon, the Lennons‘ indulged scion, on the couch. A pang of realization struck Rosalie–her presence was surplus.
The Morenos and Lennons had a marriage pact, and Yosef, who’d boasted of claiming Rosalie as his bride since their school days, was now smitten with Yuri, who’d returned only a week ago. It wasn’t Rosalie he desired; it was the Moreno name.
Jennifer wasted no time in confirming Rosalie’s suspicions. “Rosalie, can’t you see? Yuri and Yosef are a match made in heaven. You and Yosef were never meant to be, but they… they’re perfect together.”
“Love can’t be forced; it’s fate,” Jennifer continued, her tone softening. “Don’t cling to Yosef out of habit. They’ll be engaged before you know it.”
Rosalie raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Tell that to Yosef. He’s the one who can’t let go. I’ve never been interested.” She had seen through Yosef’s grand gestures long ago; he was nothing more than a plaything to her.
Yosef, who’d endured Rosalie’s disdain for years, harbored a grudge. Seeing her still acting with an air of superiority, even after losing her Moreno status, he sneered, “You’re just a nobody, yet you talk so big.
“No wonder I never liked you. You’re a fake! Thank God we weren’t engaged. I’d be stuck with you and your replacement!”
Yosef sneered at Rosalie with a look of utter disdain, yet a tinge of regret lingered in his heart. Rosalie’s beauty and figure were leagues beyond Yuri’s, a fact that was hard to ignore. He thought it was such a shame that Rosalie wasn’t the true–born daughter of the Moreno family.
Rosalie’s retorted, “That’s what I’m saying! Thank God someone else is taking you off my hands, or I’d have to look at your pockmarked face forever.”
Yosef’s face, scarred by acne, twisted in anger at Rosalie’s jab.
Yuri, feigning concern at Yosef’s mockery, played the peacemaker. “Yosef, don’t be so harsh. She might get hurt. After all, if I hadn’t come back, I wouldn’t have taken you or the Moreno heiress spot from her.
“She’s just lashing out because she’s hurting inside. Can’t you cut her some slack?” Yuri’s voice dripped with false sympathy.
Rosalie wasn’t buying it. “I’m not upset. This loser chased me for years, and I never cared. But you? A week back and you’re already with him. Trash and a schemer–made for each other!”
Jennifer exploded at that, “You heartless girl! Why are you so rude? No wonder I could never get close to you; you’re naturally disrespectful.
“You lived a life of luxury for eighteen years while Yuri suffered. And now you insult her? That’s outrageous!”
Rosalie, reprimanded by Jennifer, remained unflustered. Everything she had with the Moreno family, she’d earned through her secret contributions to the family’s business.
Curtis Moreno, Rosalie’s adoptive father, had saved enough to start a factory but lacked the business acumen to keep it afloat.
Without Rosalie’s secret help, the factory would have folded, and the Moreno family wouldn’t have become one of Serenity District’s top merchants. But Rosalie never bragged; they were clueless about her role as the factory’s biggest backer.
Curtis, dragged into the downstairs fray, frowned on purpose, playing the peacemaker.
Curtis pretended to blame Jennifer. “Come on, that’s not how you talk to Rosalie. She’s going back to her family today, facing tough times. Besides, we messed up eighteen years ago; it’s not her fault. Can’t let her leave broken–hearted, right?”
Curtis, though hypocritical, had a fair point. But looking at Rosalie, his feelings were mixed.
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Chapter 1
12 Jul GE A
He loved Rosalie since she was a kid–charming and lovely. But if she hadn’t been with them, they wouldn’t have missed their real daughter for eighteen years, suffering away from home.
Curtis let out a sigh as he spoke to Rosalie. “Rosalie, you’re not my blood, but I raised you for eighteen years. You’re like my own kid.”
“I’ve done some checking. Your real folks are out of work. If you ever need something, don’t hesitate to come back and ask for help,” Curtis added, feigning kindness.
Jennifer, sitting close by, jumped up and nudged Curtis. “Why are you being so generous? Watch out you don’t end up with a freeloader! Parents without jobs–what kind of decent family is that?”
Rosalie looked at the Morenos‘ fake smiles and Yosef, her face blank as she said, “No thanks, Mr. Moreno. But you might want to focus more on running the factory and the company, especially keep an eye on the people around you.”
Rosalie glanced at Jennifer, a hint of warning in her voice.
There was a real snake in the grass at the company. Jennifer and her brother had been siphoning off money for years. If Rosalie hadn’t been watching them, they might have bled the company dry.
If her birth family was really struggling, Rosalie figured she wouldn’t have time to deal with the Morenos‘ drama.
Jennifer exploded at her words, “So you can’t stand to see us doing well, can you? Even as you’re leaving, you have to curse our business. Like you’ve ever managed the factory! What are you even bragging about?”
Rosalie knew arguing with Jennifer was a waste of time, so she just snorted, “You’ll see what I’m capable of soon enough.”
Not wanting to waste any more breath, Rosalie stood up, slung her only backpack over her shoulder, and headed for the door. Inside was just her ID and the laptop she’d bought herself. She wasn’t taking anything else.
But Yosef had to get in his digs. “Mr. and Mrs. Moreno, Rosalie didn’t even bring her luggage. Who knows what valuables she’s got in that bag. You’d
better check it!”
Jennifer, taking the bait, immediately said, “Yosef’s right! Open it up and see what’s inside!”
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