THE THREE BROTHERS

The sun blazed overhead, turning the world into a searing oven. Heat waves shimmered up from the ground, warping the air with every step.

With a rough shove, Stephanie Walsh lost her balance and nearly fell as her backpack landed at her feet.

"Stephie, don't accuse me of being heartless. Our maid switched you with my real daughter, Aimee, and kept us in the dark. For years, you've lived a comfortable life here while Aimee struggled in the dirt." Now that Aimee's back, it's time you went back to your real family. All I know is you were born in Greenvale and your father's last name is Walsh. Go find them. And don't ever contact us again."

Colin Clayton tossed a thick roll of bills onto the pavement. "That's two grand. Use it to get where you're going. Don't bother coming back."

"I don't need it." Stephanie didn't even glance at the cash. She stooped to pick up her backpack, brushed the dust away, and met their eyes with a look colder than steel.

Walking away felt like breaking free. No more tiptoeing around their moods, no more desperate attempts to win affection, only to face constant scorn and blame.

Colin and his family liked to act as though she owed them everything, as if she'd never have survived without their charity.

But only she was aware of the truth: once they learned she wasn't their blood, she had been relegated to the role of a maid—a silent, functional presence maintaining the household from the shadows.

That chapter of her life was long overdue to end.

Seeing her turn down the money, Colin's face twisted in anger. "Without that cash, you won't make it far. But don't say I never tried to help you."

He fixed her with a harsh stare, irritation bubbling up the longer their eyes met.

Stephanie had been the pride of the household—a bright, obedient girl. But everything changed after middle school. She started skipping classes, getting into trouble, and by high school, she had the worst grades in every class. The shame of it still burned in his mind.

Arms folded, Aimee Clayton shot her mother a mocking glance. "Mom, what if she can't survive out there and tries to crawl back to us?"

Davina Clayton's eyes turned cold, her anger thinly concealed. "Crawl back? Not a chance. I poured my heart into raising her, treated her no differently than my own. And what did I get? Nothing but disappointment. If she ever sets foot here again, I'll show her the door myself."

Aimee grinned, satisfied. "It's about time she learned what hardship means. She stole my life and lived it in luxury for ten years. Now she can see what real life is like. With grades like hers, she'll probably end up begging for change while I'm off to Veridia University soon."

Stephanie caught every word and let out a quiet, amused laugh.

Lived it in luxury for ten years? What a joke. They never saw themselves clearly.

A decade ago, their entire net worth was not even hitting a million. Only in the last few years did their fortunes soar. Colin, once a nobody in the art world, suddenly became a celebrated figure, with each painting selling for millions.

The family wasted no time flaunting their newfound fortune. They opened their own art gallery and founded the Krarville Art Group. With money pouring in, they traded their humble beginnings for a lavish villa in the downtown.

Colin took the reins as chairman, his days suddenly filled with admirers and social climbers eager for his attention.

None of their success would have been possible without Stephanie quietly working behind the scenes.