Chapter 1
The day before my SAT, my biological brother Jack Crawford suddenly arrived in a Bentley to
“reunite” with me.
“Riley, Come abroad with me. You don’t need these exams. The Crawford family will give you the BEST education possible.”
My childhood friend Camden urged me to take the opportunity.
My boyfriend Noah Wells gently stroked my head and also persuaded me: “Developing your career
overseas would be better. I’ll wait for you.”
I believed them.
However, as soon as I arrived abroad, my brother immediately CHANGED his face.
“The Crawford family doesn’t support idle people. Get a job to pay your own tuition.”
I was forced to remain overseas, and whenever I tried to return home to resume my studies, I was
blocked with various excuses.
After ten years of struggle, I finally saved enough money to return home, only to see a news headline
[Young scientist Noah Wells engaged to Crawford heiress Valerie Crawford; Crawford Group CEO Jack Crawford offers tearful congratulations.]
On television, my brother looked pleased: “The Crawford daughter wasn’t raised with privilege, yet she became both valedictorian and heir to the Crawford Group!”
My childhood friend Camden smiled knowingly: “When we studied together, I always knew she would be at the top.”
Meanwhile, my boyfriend Noah embraced the celebrated girl, saying tenderly: “I was too immature back then. Thankfully, I met the true Crawford jewel.”
So… From beginning to end, only Valerie was their true “Crawford heiress,” while I was merely a ‘substitute” they deliberately exiled abroad, fearing I would meet my birth parents and claim resources meant for Valerie.
They Stole My Identity. J Stole Their Future
Chapter 1
When I opened my eyes again, I was BACK to the day Jack came for me.
He was still smiling kindly: “Riley, come abroad with me. The domestic exams are too difficult.”
“Holy crap, is that a Bentley?!”
“I heard from Director Hayes that Riley’s birth parents are, like, billionaires who live in Europe
now!”
“And her brother is total eye candy! What kind of genetic lottery did this family win? I’m literally
dying!”
“Riley, you have to take this chance!”
The wave of jealous whispers snapped me back to reality.
I glanced down at my worn–out uniform and pinched myself hard–ouch. Definitely not a dream.
I have really been reborn.
“Riley, let’s go,” Jack extended his hand toward me. “With the Crawford family’s connections, getting you into Oxford or Cambridge is a no–brainer.”
In my previous life, that exact line was what hooked me.
But the end? I was abandoned in London, working under–the–table jobs, sometimes going days
without a proper meal.
Those so–called my wealthy parents never once bothered to check if I was even alive…
Meanwhile, that fraud Valerie Crawford strutted around Boston with my identity, enjoying every
privilege that should have been mine.
“I-” Before I could finish, someone shoved me from behind.
“Why are you zoning out?” Camden squeezed beside me, his face sporting the fakest grin imaginable. “Your brother’s waiting your yes!”
“Studying in Europe is sick! You’ll be living it up while we’re drowning in SAT prep and college apps!”
15:32
They Stole My Identity: I Stole Their Future
GIN
Chapter 1
Camden was acting like he’d won the lottery on my behalf, but this time I didn’t fall for our usual
banter.
All I felt was a sickening mix of heartache and regret.
This “ride–or–die” who grew up with me at Harmony House Orphanage–practically my shadow for fifteen years–sold me out without blinking in my previous life, all to suck up to the fake heiress.
During those brutal London nights, I juggled three minimum–wage jobs just to scrape together enough for a plane ticket home.
Every time I called him, he’d swear up and down: “Chill, I’m still working on reaching your birth parents. They’re just super busy with their empire and stuff.”
Ten years later, I caught his interview on some late–night talk show.
When asked about growing up in the orphanage, he completely flipped the script, his face a masterpiece of fake concern:
“Riley, the impostor, was obsessed with luxury. She bounced to Europe for the money despite everyone begging her to stay. Then she started causing drama overseas, sending these unhinged threats about hurting the Crawford family’s actual daughter…”
That’s when I realized all those years of hope had been systematically crushed by his own hands.
Those promises to help me? Just calculated lies to keep me stranded overseas, preventing me from coming back and exposing their whole scheme.
Thinking about this, I let out a cold laugh: “If Europe’s so amazing, why don’t you go instead? I’ll happily give you my ticket.”
His expression froze like a buffering video, but before he could stammer out a response, another voice cut in.
‘Riley.”
Noah stood under the maple tree, his white button–down looking like it had never seen a wrinkle.
“Just go,” he said softly. “Europe… it’ll open doors for you.”
I stared at his shifty eyes and suddenly smiled.
15:32
Chapter 1
These three people–a “brother,” a “best friend,” and a “boyfriend“-all pretending to care about my
future.
The reality?
They can’t wait for me to disappear off the face of the earth.
At minimum, they needed to get me out before Senior Finals and graduation.
My academic record had always overshadowed Valerie’s–common knowledge to everyone at Westlake Prep.
The only reason she became our school’s valedictorian in my previous life was because they had collaborated to ship me overseas.
I remember our last mock exam when Valerie somehow scored identical to me.
Her celebration lasted about five minutes. Dr. Harrison, our AP Chem teacher and senior advisor, called her into office and laid it out: “A first place achieved through academic dishonesty means nothing. Focus on honest work for Finals and you’ll easily place in the top percentile.”
To me, the same teacher had said: “Keep up your standard performance and valedictorian is practically guaranteed.”
Valerie’s face had turned white as she bit her lip.
Her glare screamed: “This isn’t over.”
I dismissed it then, but now everything clicks–they were all constructing her perfect narrative.
Why else would Jack suddenly appear with European university applications already filled out in
my name?
Why would Camden, who had always talked about us attending Boston University together, now push me toward “international opportunities“?
Why would Noah, who literally broke up with his last girlfriend for going to college two states away, suddenly support me moving across an ocean?
As long as Valerie graduated at the top of our class, my birth parents would parade her as their prodigy…
35:32
They Stole My Identity 1 Stols Their Eubire.
13
Chapter 1
What an elaborate con!
“Riley?” Jack’s voice cut through my thoughts. “The car’s waiting. We should head to the airport.”
“Sure thing,” I smiled with honeyed sweetness. “I just need to stop by Dr. Harrison’s office to say
goodbye.”
Jack visibly relaxed. “Of course.”
What they didn’t know was that my backpack contained the confirmation email for my Senior Finals registration, which I’d printed just yesterday.
In my previous life, they tricked me into giving up everything I’d worked for. This time–I’ll make
Valerie understand that some achievements can’t be stolen as she want!
