Chapter 1

"I accept your terms." My voice remained steady as I spoke into the phone. "I'll return as the heiress."

The line went dead.

I stared at the bedroom that had been my prison for eight long years. A bitter smile touched my lips. Eight years of devotion. Eight years of patience. Eight years of love. All for nothing.

"How dare you wear my mother's dress!"

The shrill voice shattered my thoughts. I turned slowly to face Liam, his small face contorted with rage.

"You're not going to say anything?" he demanded, tiny hands clenched into fists.

"Your friends are waiting, Liam." I kept my voice soft. "You should go enjoy your party."

"No!" he screamed.

He grabbed the ceramic pitcher from the table and threw its contents at me. Scalding hot coffee drenched my dress and skin. I cried out in pain.

"Serves you right! You'll never replace my mother! You killed her with your evil heart!" Liam shouted. "And now you're wearing her favorite dress!"

A maid rushed into the room. She gasped at the sight of me covered in coffee stains, my skin already reddening from burns.

"I'm so sorry, Miss! Liam escaped from his minders." The maid grabbed the smirking boy and hurried away.

I retreated to the bathroom. The dress had never belonged to Isabella, my stepsister who died giving birth to Liam. It was mine—a gift from my late mother that Isabella had stolen from me. Just like she stole everything else.

Eight years ago, I was supposed to marry Alexander Russo. We were childhood sweethearts. I believed we were in love. Then he married Isabella. She became pregnant. She lived the life that should have been mine.

Then she died. Everyone called me bad luck. They accused me of killing her out of jealousy.

As Isabella's only sister and Alexander's former fiancée, I was sent to care for Liam. My stepmother told me to treat him like my own son.

For eight years, I did exactly that. I loved Liam as my own. I cared for Alexander too. But I was foolish. Alexander never loved me.

They both treated me like garbage. They made sure I knew my place—nothing but a live-in nanny. A servant.

Liam never respected me. He constantly found ways to hurt me. But today, on his eighth birthday, I decided enough was enough.

If this had happened three years ago, I would have begged for his forgiveness. Not anymore.

"The party has started." Alexander's voice came from the doorway. "Where are you, Rachel?"

I emerged from the bathroom just as he entered. He sighed at the sight of my stained dress.

"I heard what Liam did. Don't take it personally. He's just a child who loves you," Alexander said.

I laughed bitterly. "That boy doesn't know the first thing about loving me."

"Don't say that. He's a good kid." Alexander frowned.

I moved away from him and reached for the healing balm on the nightstand. My skin burned where the coffee had scalded it. The ointment would work miracles overnight.

"Let me help you." Alexander took the balm from my hands before I could protest.

His fingers gently massaged the ointment into my burned skin. Years ago, his touch would have made me weak. Now it made my skin crawl.

"Be patient with him," he whispered, his breath warm against my neck.

I pulled away. "I need to tell you something."

"Can't it wait? Liam's birthday celebration has begun."

"No, it can't wait." I met his gaze directly. "Eight years is enough. I'm leaving."