My parents' biological daughter, kidnapped seventeen years ago, finally came home. Mom held her tight, calling her "sweetheart" and "darling" through her tears. But the girl stared straight at me, feigning innocence: "Since I'm back, shouldn't she go back to her own family now?" She thought I was some random adoptee who had stolen her luxurious life. She didn't notice that the moment those words left her mouth, the entire room went dead silent. 1 Bella is my parents' biological daughter. She was kidnapped as a toddler and sold to a family in a remote rural area. Today was the day she finally came home. I had just gotten back from baseball practice. As soon as I reached the door, I heard muffled sobbing from inside. Walking into the living room, I saw Mom hugging a girl, crying uncontrollably. Dad stood beside them, a six-foot man with red, puffy eyes. Mom's voice was hoarse: "I've waited so long for you." "You don't know how much I regret leaving you with that nanny." I instantly understood who this girl was. My parents had a biological daughter. Back when they were launching their startup, they were too busy to care for her themselves, so they hired a nanny. They left early and came home late, barely seeing her. They had no idea the nanny was part of a human trafficking ring. When she was four, the nanny sold her. They spent years looking, but never found her. Until today. "Who is that?" A thin voice snapped me back to reality. I looked up and found her staring at me. I frowned instinctively. There was something unsettling about her gaze. She flinched dramatically, shrinking back into Mom's arms. Mom patted her back soothingly. "Don't be afraid. That's your sister, Chloe." Then she introduced her to me: "Chloe, this is your sister, Bella." "But... I remember I didn't have a sister." She hesitated for a second, then looked at me with timid, fearful eyes. Mom explained, "Chloe is..." I smiled and cut in: "I was adopted." "Oh, I see." Her voice dropped to a whisper, sounding lost. "So Mom and Dad already had another child." Mom quickly hugged her tighter. "Bella, having a sister isn't a bad thing. It just means there's one more person to love you." Bella looked down, tears spilling over. "I thought Mom and Dad would only love me. Why do you have to share my love with her?" 2 Now I was sure. My discomfort wasn't my imagination. She was hostile. I could understand it. She’d suffered for years while I lived the good life with her biological parents. Seeing another kid in her spot would sting. I started to explain, "Bella, actually I'm—" But Bella suddenly wailed louder, cutting me off. "Maybe I shouldn't have come back! I'm just interrupting your happy family of three!" Dad panicked. "Bella, what are you saying? Your mother and I have prayed for this day for years! We're overjoyed you're home. No parent wants their child to suffer out there!" Bella looked at Dad helplessly. "Really?" "Of course!" Getting the reassurance she wanted, she broke into a tearful smile and hugged Dad tight, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you, Daddy." My parents let out a collective breath of relief. Then, Bella dropped the bomb. "Since I'm back, shouldn't she go back to her own family now?" The air in the room vanished. The only sound was shallow breathing. She looked at Mom expectantly. Mom looked away. Dad pretended to drink his tea to avoid eye contact. Bella finally realized something was wrong. Panic flickered across her face. "Dad? Did I say something wrong?" I caught the flash of annoyance in her eyes. I paused. Dad cleared his throat. "Having two daughters is a blessing. Let's not change anything." Mom chimed in, "Exactly. You just got back. If you need anything, Chloe can help you." Bella clearly didn't expect to be shut down so quickly. She looked at me, stunned. I smirked. "Sure thing." I grabbed my baseball bat and turned to leave. Behind me, Mom's panicked voice called out, "Chloe! Chloe!" 3 I walked straight to the house next door. I used my fingerprint to unlock the door and let myself in. This house belonged to my Aunt Sarah and Uncle Mike—my actual biological parents. Yes, I was "adopted" by my current parents (my Aunt Linda and Uncle Dave), but it wasn't a standard adoption. When Bella, my Aunt Linda’s hostile daughter, glared at me, I understood her anger. But I didn't feel guilty. I didn't owe her anything. Seventeen years ago, Aunt Linda lost Bella. She was suicidal. She knelt in front of my bio-mom, begging to adopt me to fill the void. My mom refused at first. She had three sons and had finally gotten the daughter she wanted. Why would she give me up? But Aunt Linda and Uncle Dave bought the house right next door. They looked like walking skeletons, consumed by grief. My mom’s heart broke for her sister, and she finally agreed. My name is Chloe Su-Miller. "Su" is my bio-dad's last name. "Miller" is my bio-mom's. That was the only condition my mom set for the adoption. To the outside world, Aunt Linda and Uncle Dave loved me so much they gave me my mother's maiden name as a middle name. Even Bella thought I was some random orphan who lucked into her life. But honestly? I was born to be spoiled. If I had stayed with my bio-parents, my life would have been even better. My bio-parents are wealthy, free-spirited, and deeply in love. My oldest brother is a ruthless CEO. My second brother is a gentle hospital director. My third brother is a famous, rebellious film director. I have an army of backers. Thinking back to the resentment in Bella's eyes, I chuckled. My life was about to get interesting. The new cousin... she's a piece of work. 4 Since I can remember, my bio-parents and brothers never ignored me. When Aunt Linda and Uncle Dave were busy, my bio-family took care of me. They always told me that even though I was adopted by Aunt Linda, their door was always open. They kept a room for me, fully stocked with a library and a piano. So, sitting here on their couch, eating fruit prepared by the housekeeper, felt completely natural. Suddenly, footsteps pounded outside. Mom and Dad (Linda and Dave) rushed in. "Chloe! Chloe!" "What's wrong?" Mom saw me safe on the couch and sighed in relief. She rushed over and cupped my face. "Chloe, baby, I know you're hurt. Bella is just sensitive right now. Please don't be mad." I raised an eyebrow. "So I deserve to be treated like an intruder?" Dad jumped. "What are you saying?!" "We watched you grow from a tiny baby into a beautiful young woman. You are our daughter. Who dares treat you like an intruder?" Mom added, "Chloe, hearing you say that breaks my heart." "Fine," I said. "But I don't want to go back and listen to her talk like that. I'll stay here for a few days." Mom and Dad shouted in unison: "No! You're coming home with us. We're worried about you." They flanked me, one arm around my shoulders, one around my waist, and practically marched me back next door. They were terrified I'd stay with my bio-parents and never come back. Good. They hadn't been completely brainwashed by Bella yet. I glanced up at a second-floor window. The curtain twitched. A figure was standing there. I smiled. Bella, I win this round.
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