The Vanishing Heiress

Chapter 2

Seven years ago, I was accepted into the National Institute of Classified Sciences.

But before I even had the chance to decide whether to go… my own parents handed me over to the police.

Prison stripped away whatever naïve faith I had left in love, loyalty, and family. As my release date neared, I applied again to the institute—this time with nothing holding me back.

The response came quickly:

"A car will arrive at precisely 9 PM on December 10—ten days from now."

Ten days.

I closed my eyes, letting that promise carry me. Just ten more days of playing the invisible daughter, and I could disappear for good.

The next morning, I was jolted awake by the sound of laughter and movement outside my room.

Groggy, I washed up and stepped out of the storage room—only to stop short.

Rachel Montgomery sat on the velvet sofa like royalty in a crisp white dress, all soft smiles and glowing skin.

My father, my mother, my younger sister Emily, and Ethan Sterling—my so-called fiancé—were all fawning over her.

The butler brought in a cake.

"Happy birthday, Rachel!" they chorused, beaming.

She lit up like she'd won a crown.

"Thank you, Dad, Mom, Emily… and Ethan." Then, with a coy pout, she added, "Since I just got out of the hospital, I hope you all brought gifts?"

They eagerly handed over wrapped boxes.

Ethan, standing beside her with a sleek box in hand, spotted me just then.

"Megan," he called casually, like nothing had happened, "you're up. Come join us—we're celebrating Rachel's birthday."

The air grew noticeably colder the moment he invited me in. I could practically hear my mother grinding her teeth.

Rachel turned her head, still all sugar and satin. "Sis," she said sweetly, "I'm so sorry I couldn't pick you up from prison yesterday. I wasn't feeling well. You're not mad at me, are you?"

Sis? That word sounded like poison in her mouth.

Before I could speak, Ethan jumped in. "Megan's not the type to hold grudges."

Rachel slipped her hand into his and smiled at me like a cat cornering a mouse. "Since it's my birthday, I'd like a gift from you too, Sis… I want Ethan."

The room fell silent.

No one laughed. No one objected. They all just… waited to see what I'd say.

The audacity left my hands curling into fists.

"And if I say no?"

Her smile twitched.

Then, switching to French, she murmured in mock embarrassment, "Je plaisantais… I was only joking. I didn't think she'd take it so seriously."

My mother, also in French, added lightly, "Don't upset yourself, Rachel. Megan's always been so sensitive. She's nothing like me."

My father chuckled, "Ignore her, sweetheart. You'll always be our real daughter."

And Emily, of course, had to chime in, "You're the only sister I've ever had."

What a perfectly rehearsed little scene.

I kept my expression blank and turned to Ethan. "What are they saying?"

He hesitated. "Rachel was just teasing. They're worried you'll take it the wrong way."

The wrong way.

Amazing how effortlessly he lied—how seamlessly they all did. They didn't know I'd understood every single word.

My mother—famous for her art. My father—once a powerful figure in finance. After they "found" me at an orphanage when I was fifteen, they made it painfully clear that I didn't measure up.

Rachel, the daughter they chose, was always the center of their world.

Ten years ago, we both took the college entrance exam. Rachel got into a small art school, and they threw a gala.

No one noticed—or cared—that I got into Tsinghua University. That I'd taught myself French, Italian, and Spanish. That I was the only one in this house with actual talent.

But none of that mattered anymore.

In ten days, I'd vanish from this house—and from Ethan's life—for good.

"I just got out of prison. I think I'll take a walk, get reacquainted with the city."

I didn't wait for permission. I limped toward the door, ignoring the servants' side-eyes and the judgment hanging in the air like smoke.

Behind me, they continued gossiping in French—unfiltered, unaware.

They'd forgotten one important thing.

It was my birthday too.