Chapter 1 Out of Prison

In Valoria, the prison's icy iron gates slowly swung open. Sunlight hit Kaia Larson's gaunt, sallow face. The clothes she'd worn on the day of her arrest now hung loose on her. She'd spent five years in that sunless hell, and today, finally, she was free. Kaia limped out of the prison, dragging one leg behind her. Her steps were sluggish, not out of desire, but because she had no choice. A black Bentley idled by the curb, its window lowering to reveal a man with sharp, icy features. His gaze flicked to her legs before he snorted, eyes full of open contempt. He muttered, "Five years in prison, and you're still playing the victim." A sudden pang struck Kaia's heart, and her eyes began to sting for no reason she could name. It was Samuel Larson—her brother. From the day she was brought back from the orphanage to the Larson family at 15, she'd tried everything to earn his approval. Yet for the sake of his adopted sister—someone who wasn't even blood—he'd gone so far as to fabricate evidence and have her charged with attempted murder. Five years had gone by, but Samuel was just as sharp-tongued, his contempt for her still as clear as ever. Choking down the bitterness, Kaia limped on, acting like she hadn't even noticed him. Samuel's expression froze. Kaia was giving him the cold shoulder. As far as he could remember, she was always the one to reach out first, doing whatever it took to make him happy. She'd always be there to hand him his slippers when he came home. She'd massage his shoulders if he were exhausted. She'd make him a cup of calming tea on nights he couldn't sleep. If work kept him late, she'd wait outside his office with a meal in a thermos, no matter the weather. The three years Kaia had spent with him had eased his chronic stomach issues. But after she was locked away, the pain came back, waking him up at night. Today, Samuel felt a flicker of happiness when he heard that she had been released. He even canceled an overseas meeting to pick her up from prison. He expected Kaia to be overjoyed to see him. He was even prepared for her to break down and tell him about all the hardships she'd faced. The last thing he expected was her cold indifference. The admiration in her gaze had disappeared, replaced by a distant look. The strange disappointment in his chest gnawed at him, simmering into irritation. His grip tightened on the steering wheel, veins rising on the backs of his hands. Samuel's tone was harsher than he'd meant. "Get in." As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them. He frowned in frustration, then softened his voice just a little. "Mom and Dad know you're getting out today. They set up a welcome party for you." The mention of their parents felt at once familiar and foreign to Kaia. Back at the orphanage, she'd dreamed that if she ever had parents, she would be their beloved little princess. She had waited day after day for 15 long years, and finally, her wish had come true. Now, she had a mother, a father, and a tall, handsome CEO for a brother. But the cherished little princess wasn't Kaia—it was Wendy Larson, the fake heiress they had raised from childhood. They weren't Kaia's parents. They were Samuel and Wendy's. Kaia inwardly mocked herself. She'd endured humiliation and scorn for three years in that house. She knew she wasn't welcome, so why go back just to face more contempt? Her steps were slow, but she never stopped moving. Her icy demeanor and stubborn figure sent a sharp pang through Samuel, stirring an inexplicable surge of fury in his chest. He pulled the car door open and crossed the distance between them in a few strides. Then, he seized her wrist and yanked her back. "Had enough of this act?" Kaia stumbled and crashed to the ground, searing pain shooting through her broken leg like a knife. The color drained from her face. Samuel's anger flared. "You really are addicted to playing the victim, aren't you? Don't forget—you're the one who pushed Lily down the stairs and left her in a vegetative state. "You even tried to pin the blame on Wendy. Five years in prison, and you still haven't learned a thing. Looks like prison didn't straighten you out after all!" He hauled Kaia off the ground without a shred of pity, his voice thick with disgust. "Don't think five years in prison would wipe your slate clean. You won't be forgiven until Lily wakes up. "And you still owe Wendy an apology. Get in the car. Don't make me repeat myself." Kaia found a bitter irony in his words. She had explained it before—she hadn't pushed Lily Graham; Wendy had. But no one believed her. They had all chosen to believe Wendy instead. Kaia was the Larson family's true heiress, their own flesh and blood, yet they unquestioningly took Wendy's word over hers. Kaia had undoubtedly been wrong. Coming home and hoping for a love that had never been hers was a mistake. She knew it, and she was ready to move on. She would leave for a distant place, somewhere she wouldn't have to fight Wendy for their family's affection, where she would never be an unwelcome presence. Why couldn't Samuel just let her go? Without saying a word, Kaia yanked her wrist free and took a step back, putting distance between them. Her deliberate coldness left Samuel seething, his chest tight with frustration. His mind was flooded with memories of how she had once followed him like a devoted shadow, eager to please him in the most pathetic way. He fought to keep his anger in check, forcing his voice to soften. "Come home with me." Kaia kept her eyes down, her expression indifferent, as if she refused to look at him again. That lifeless, miserable look on her face made it impossible for Samuel to contain his rage. She still hadn't learned a thing after five years in prison. The only change she experienced was growing a spine. He was on the verge of snapping when a voice, warm as a spring breeze, reached his ears. "Kaia." Kaia's body stiffened, and her numb heart twisted painfully in an instant. Even after five long years without hearing it, she recognized the voice at once. It was her childhood sweetheart, Connor Lynch. A pair of polished dress shoes appeared in her line of sight, followed by a deep, magnetic voice from above her. "Kaia, congratulations on your freedom." If anyone else had said those words, she would've politely replied, "Thank you." But coming from Connor, they cut like knives. He had been her most trusted childhood friend and was now a brilliant lawyer. For his first case after graduation, he had stood in court as Wendy's defense lawyer and secured Kaia's conviction. The day before the trial, Connor had said, "Kaia, Wendy's never faced real hardship. Prison would break her. Could you take the fall for her?" Wendy couldn't survive it, but somehow she was supposed to? Was it because she knew suffering that she had to carry the weight of Wendy's crimes? Locking up the real Larson heiress had catapulted him to fame in Valoria. Five years ago, fresh out of law school, he carried the awkwardness of the inexperienced. Now, he was Valoria's most sought-after lawyer, every gesture radiating effortless confidence. They had grown up side by side in the orphanage, tied together by a bond stronger than blood. Whenever the other kids picked on Kaia, Connor would jump in without hesitation, throwing punches if necessary and swearing with fierce conviction. "No one's going to hurt you while I'm around, Kaia." He had even promised to study law, become a lawyer, and put anyone who dared hurt her behind bars. But when Wendy hurt her over and over, all Connor offered were dismissive words. "Kaia, you're overreacting. Wendy would never do something like that." In the end, he defended her tormentor in court and locked her behind bars. A heavy silence fell between them. Connor's smile stiffened, but he forced it to stay as he reached for her. "Kaia, I came to—" But before he could finish, Kaia turned to Samuel. "Weren't we heading home? Let's go."