Chapter One

/-Emily-/

I studied my appearance in the bathroom mirror that was only meant for the event staff.

The wine-red uniform, which consisted of a body-hugging suit and a skirt, accentuated my body. The top button of the jacket was missing, but that was the least of my problems.

I pressed my phone tightly to my ear as I listened to my brother struggling to talk; tears welled up in my eyes. “Ryan, don't worry. I'll come see you in the morning, okay?”

Ragged breaths responded to me. “Okay…” A whizzing sound followed as he struggled with his breath. “Okay, sis,” he finally let out.

I raised my head heavenward, blinking back the tears that struggled to spill from my eyes. I forced cheeriness into my voice. “Goodnight, Ryan. Have sweet dreams, okay?” Then I hung up, finally letting my sobs take over my body.

My shoulders heaved up and down as I leaned on the counter.

Life wasn't fair. Why would someone as sweet and innocent as my younger brother, Ryan, have to suffer so much?

My sixteen-year-old brother was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was five, when our parents were still alive and we had the resources to manage the illness.

But now that they were gone, with my father's debts and Ryan's medical bills piling on my head, it was proving to be difficult to manage the illness.

He was now at the hospital, admitted because another infection had crawled into his lungs again.

After getting a hold of myself, I pulled my wavy chestnut brown hair back in a ponytail and fixed my makeup, pushing back the feeling of guilt.

I was supposed to be by his side right now. But I couldn't leave my job as a waitress. I needed to pay the bills somehow.

At night, I worked at the Valley Hall as a waitress.It was where important galas and balls were hosted for high society. During the day, I was an artist struggling to make a few bucks from my art.

With a deep sigh, I left the bathroom and headed downstairs to where the ongoing event was being held.

Soft music played in the background, filtering through the air as I wove through the women and men of high society. Everywhere I turned, I was either met with a glittering dress that bounced off the lights from the chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings or a black tailored suit.

“Emily. Where the hell have you been?” It was my boss, Mrs. Everton, who loudly whispered to me. Well, if you would call that a whisper, because she caught the attention of several other people.

She gave them an apologetic smile before glowering at me. “Will you hurry the hell up and go do what you're paid for?” She snapped at me, but this time quietly.

“Yes, ma'am,” I immediately hurried to the bar, filling glasses with drinks and placing them on a silver-plated tray that I carried in one hand as I wove through the hall, careful not to spill it on anyone.

I went to the upper floor where there were more important guests seated and talking among themselves. Then, I heard it.

It was loud and familiar; the sound of laughter made my skin crawl as it bounced off the walls. A cold shiver crept down my spine.

He was here. The one who had stolen all of my parents' properties, including the estate they had left in my name. Including the mansion where my brother and I were living, the one where he had threatened to kick us out if we didn’t leave.

He was here—my father's brother, my uncle, Victor Carter.

My hand clenched at my side as I slowly turned to him. My teeth ground together. He took all my parents' money while my brother struggled for his health, and he was here wining and dining lavishly.

My face fumed with my parents' money.

Red clouded my vision, and before I could think, my feet took me to the table he was sitting at with other men who looked like his partners in crime.

“Fancy seeing you here, Uncle.” I said the last word with venom as I glared at him, the tray of drinks still in my hand.

He whipped his head up to me and squinted his eyes; it looked like the alcohol he was drinking was already getting to him. “Heyyyy. If it isn't my favorite niece,” he drawled before giving a deep chuckle. The others followed him, their laughs sending a prickling sensation on my skin.

“I received the letter of eviction again from your lawyer. That house is my parents' house; you have no right—”

“You're the one who has no right to stand here and lecture me like I'm a child. What are you, twenty-four?” A scowl appeared on his face, immediately replacing the laughter.

My heart pounded when I saw a bit of thunder in his eyes. “The mansion is my parents' house.” My voice shook.

“Well, not anymore, child. I have documents to prove it,” he snarled.

My heart dropped. He had documents? “But this isn't fair to us, Uncle. This isn't fair to Ryan. He's getting weaker and weaker every day because we can't give his lungs the appropriate treatment they need,” I begged, my voice wavering as tears clouded my eyes.

“Whether he dies or lives, I don't give a damn,” he snapped.

I staggered back. The words hit me like a train. I held the tray with both hands now, trying to comprehend what my uncle was saying. “W-what?”

I wasn't supposed to be surprised, but I was. The taste of betrayal clung to my tongue. “He's your brother's child. Your only nephew.”

“Is what you’re saying supposed to make me change my mind or something? Now, I'm giving you until the end of this week to get the hell out of my house.”

My heart pounded in my ears, and I couldn't stop the tears that came pouring down. “I'll make sure you pay for this. I'll make sure I'll take back every single thing you stole from my parents.”

He was amused; his eyes held a challenge. “I'd like to see someone as useless as you try.”

The tears kept falling as I turned to leave, sick of being in his presence. But because of my abrupt turn, I didn't see the person standing close to me from behind until it was too late.

I had spilled red wine on the person's white shimmering dress, which I was certain cost thousands of dollars.

“Oh my God.” The woman's shrill voice resonated in my ear, her eyes wide with disbelief as she looked down at her wine-stained dress.

My eyes widened in shock, but before I could say anything, she landed a stinging slap on my cheek.