Chapter 3
Why? Why is it like this?“]
Taton, am I their adopted daughter? is this some kind of project where I’m just your experimental subject?” ||
Jason seemed to understand my confusion. He raised an eyebrow and wagged his finger. “Ns, you’re actually a Thompson by blood-
“Ander why they raked you poor? Simple–because I’m the only true heir in the Thompson fortunet“||
“Emma, you were born just one minute before me. Did you think that entitled you in anything? ||
This isn’t your place. Get lost“||
abit in raising you, you knowt
From lule thing, don’t look at me like that, Mom and Dad invested quite a bit.
“Oh, and step visiting Grandma and Grandpa. They’re too old to keep up the charade for you!–]]
Jason sped through the gates, leaving me standing there as everything clicked into place
My birth and Jason’s were apparently ted to heritance issues.
what had I done wrong? All ever wanted was my parents‘ genuine love.
They’d deceived me for years, though their care seemed real enough.
New, looking at the mansion and that motorcycle, I questioned how much of their affection was ever genuine.]
I turned to leave
Before going, I called bad: had, are you coming home for dinner tonight?”
“Can’t make it tonight. Emma Gotta work overtime to make that money, you know!“]]
“Tour mom too, by the way!”
Yet I could clearly hear a motorcycle engine roaring in the backgrund of call
I softly replied “okay,” my decision trendy made.
Back home, I started packing while applying for a special research project the universky had announced.
The project was based in the Las Vegas desert–thren y years of hobation with reto outside contact. Perfect
Ater packing. I jirimed the photo I’d taken of Jason on his motorcycle and placed it on my bedside table.
That night, they didn’t come hope. I was alone, as usual
I tried calling Dad again, but no answer
Meanwade, Thompson Enterprises was hosting a lavish Christmas party with generous bonuses. Employees were posting thanks on Instagram.
Que regular employer received $40,000 bum
Many others posted photos from the event
There were my parents–Dad in a tallared sur. Moun with impeccabile makeup, dripping with elegance, both holding champagne flutes)
s the center of it all was Jason, surmended by adinvers-
My parents seemed cer
i no lessy Warkaq, to notice any
yaccial media posts ||
They Turgot that I was just an ordinary girl rat
dactured poverty. How could I not be drawn to glasses of the “rich lir” unline“?||
A deporter terved them alot the New Years pla
Ded sailed into the camera: “My son Jason fur twenty to this year. We always take a family trap- leaving today, actually
My best sank. I was Benny w as well. The farthest ever been was a summer camp at the University of Miami during elementary school||
I laughed bitterly, picking up jasows s plats, running my fingers arou
The in my was her I started college, my parents “pour act” became almost obsessive
They tht me I was an adult now and needed to be responsible for myself
Tine If that’s how they wanted a ||
I grabbed my bags and beaded toward Las Vegas without a se
out a second thought.
Mom Dad–quodliye revert
