Finding out I was the switched-at-birth "wrong" daughter in a mega-rich family made me decide to just... check out. At the party officially welcoming the real daughter, she was dazzling everyone. My adoptive mother told me I should learn from her. Me: "If people better than me are still trying so hard, what's the point of me trying?" My best friend warned me to get a job, worried I'd be married off for connections otherwise. Me: "Work just makes you crazy. No thanks." My main goal? Just sticking around. 1 Being an heiress with millions to my name meant coasting through life was totally doable. The biggest problem? Turns out, I was an imposter. Super awkward. A week ago, Mom and Dad dropped the bomb: I was swapped at birth. Their biological daughter, Megan, had been found. My birth parents? No clue where they are. Mom and Dad didn't want me to leave, so I just stayed, living in this weird limbo. Everyone gushed about how Megan was clearly a Sterling, perfect and accomplished despite growing up elsewhere. Unlike me. Even with the Sterlings pouring money into my upbringing, I was basically just... decorative. Mom heard the whispers and told me to be more like Megan. She said, "Your father and I spoiled you, didn't push you. But you're grown now, can't you get your act together?" Not a chance. Effort gives me hives. I just want to chill. Besides, I suspected "getting her act together" was code for "know your place." Without the Sterling heiress title, and being useless at everything, how could I possibly fit in here anymore? While I was moping, Megan slid into the family seamlessly in just a few days. She had Mom and Dad laughing constantly, even helping Megan sort through gifts for the welcome party. The three of them looked so happy, like a perfect family. Watching them, I wasn't exactly jealous, but I wasn't sad either. Truth is, I was never the favorite child here anyway. Having a daughter like me, who achieved nothing, was a constant source of worry for them. And I'm not the type to suck up. So, we coexisted politely, like strangers under the same roof. Megan's arrival gave them hope. Because of that, Mom urged me to get closer to Megan, maybe ask her for tips on how to be... less useless. I sighed. "It's not like you can just learn that." Mom snapped, "Why not? We indulged you before, but now you have a perfect example right here! Can't you even copy her?" Megan overheard and shot me a smug look, like, You'll never measure up. Seriously? I'm the fake one. Why would I even compete? Isn't lying low the better option? And anyway, I'm me. Why would I want to imitate someone else? I replied flatly, "Because Megan's amazing and hardworking." Before Mom could crack a smile, I added: "People way better than me are working their butts off. So why should I even bother?" I know my limits. Doing extra? Not my thing. Mom got so mad she actually threw a small vase nearby. "Listen to yourself!" I dodged it and jammed my hands in my pockets, heading upstairs. Behind me, I heard Megan's soft voice comforting Mom: "Maybe Ashley’s just having a hard time accepting this… that’s why she’s trying to upset you." "If it helps, I could move out… until she calms down, then I can come back." Wow. What a masterclass in playing the victim. Nice try, but I wasn't taking the bait. Mom gasped, "Absolutely not! This is your home!" I glanced back down at Megan. She looked up, a flicker of triumph in her eyes. She put on her most generous face. "I just want you all to be happy. It doesn't matter if I'm here or not." Mom fumed, "Why should you leave? If anyone goes, it should be..." Her voice trailed off as her eyes met mine. I tilted my head, thinking. "So... I should leave?" 2 The couple who raised Megan found her abandoned near a hospital. Which means, after being swapped, she was also ditched. My own origins were a mystery, so staying with the Sterlings was the temporary plan. Megan seemed to think my birth parents were trash, and that I'd unfairly benefited for years. She saw me as a thorn in her side. She clearly wanted me gone at the welcome party, but it didn't happen. From then on, I knew we couldn't both exist peacefully in this house. Even if I didn't fight for anything. I glanced around my old bedroom – now Megan's. It felt empty. A moment later, Megan appeared, looking suspicious. "What are you doing in my room?" I tapped my head. "Oops, sorry. Wrong room." The day she arrived, Megan had mentioned liking my bedroom. Given my shaky status, I'd quietly moved out of it. Now, she was using it against me. She smirked knowingly. "You'd better get used to the new arrangement. Quickly." I got her drift. What was hers, she intended to reclaim. Whether it was an identity or a room. But honestly, I didn't want to fight over it. "After you!" I quickly retreated to my new, smaller room. Ugh! I mentally groaned like a beached whale. This is exhausting. I have zero interest in family drama. All I want is to chill! Maybe moving out soon is the best plan. I called my best friend, Chloe. "Hey, know any decent places to crash?" "Places? Honey, I've got properties. Just pick one, I'll have it cleaned up for you." Her casual wealth always took my breath away. Even as the supposed Sterling heiress, I only had one small apartment provided by the family. And now, even that was gone. Chloe added, "Things are awkward for you now. Maybe you should get a job? What's your plan otherwise?" I rolled over on the bed. "Work drives people nuts. Being a couch potato sounds way better." Slacking off was my true calling. Chloe was silent for a long moment, then practically ground out, "Fine! Don't say I didn't warn you!" before hanging up. I clutched my phone, feeling a little lost. Trying hard really is pointless. Megan is clearly out to get me. Whatever I do, I'll just be used to make her look better. So, might as well do nothing. Saves energy, and stops me from setting her up for success. Because she's the real deal, and I'm the fake. 3 Mom and Dad think I only found out the truth the day Megan came back. Not true. I knew everything while they were still searching for her. Everyone was hiding it from me, probably scared I'd cause a scene. So, I played along, pretending ignorance. Today's events just showed me exactly where I stand with them. I appreciate them letting me stay, but they've clearly chosen sides. After thinking it over, I decided to leave the Sterling house. Everything I owned technically belonged to them anyway. I'd just take myself. Mom grabbed my arm. "Ashley, are you still upset about what I said earlier?" I shook my head. "I shouldn't be imposing here anymore." "I only took my ID and cards. I'll work to pay back everything you spent on me over the years." I came downstairs carrying just a small plastic bag with my wallet inside. Even my phone – I left the handset, only taking the SIM card. Megan scoffed, "Such a temper. How will you survive?" I nodded agreeably. "Yep, you're right. My future looks terrible." She fumed, about to say more, but Mom stopped her. "Megan, Ashley didn't do anything wrong." That flipped Megan's switch. She yelled, "Nothing wrong? I suffered out there while she lived my life in luxury! How is that fair?" Mom immediately softened, hugging her. "That's not what I meant. Megan, don't cry. I'll make her leave right now." Just like that, I became "her." I placed the bag on a table, opened the front door, ready to leave the house I'd lived in for almost twenty years. Chloe was waiting outside. When she heard I was leaving with nothing, she drove straight over. Mom watched me, seeming hesitant. My heart twinged slightly. Before I could say anything comforting, she delivered the final blow. "Ashley, since you're leaving... maybe you should take care of getting your name off the family records soon." She held Megan gently. "Megan has been through so much. We can't let her down anymore." My mind went blank for a second, but I managed a reply. "Tomorrow." Mom's expression instantly relaxed. "Okay. Drive safe, you two." I watched as Mom closed the heavy Sterling front door without a backward glance. From now on, that place had nothing to do with me. Chloe took me to her huge house, rambling the whole way. "Seriously, Ash, just come work with me." I looked at her. "Nope." Chloe: ... Her face darkened. "Give me one good reason why you won't get a job." I handed her my phone, showing her an app screen. "Is this reason good enough?" Chloe let out a shriek. "Ashley Sterling! You actually..." She practically slid across the floor to grab my leg. "You're the legendary stock market guru everyone whispers about?!" 4 Growing up, I had zero interest in piano, ballet, or French lessons. No matter how many tutors Mom and Dad hired, they all eventually gave up on me, frustrated. When I got a bit older and understood what the family business was, I actually got interested in commerce. Sometimes, Dad would have video conferences in his study, and I'd just hang out and listen. He didn't seem to mind. Until one time, I noticed a flaw in the data for a bid they were preparing. I pointed it out directly to Dad. After that, he changed. He wouldn't let me in the study anymore. He'd kick me out during meetings. I was hurt, thinking I'd messed up and made him angry. So, I asked everyone in the house what Dad liked, planning to buy him something nice to get back in his good graces. Instead, I overheard him arguing with Mom. Mom said, "If Ashley has a knack for business, why not let her learn from you?" Dad sounded annoyed. "We can't let a girl get too ambitious. She needs to marry well. Are we going to hand the company over to some outsider husband?" Mom argued back, "Ashley's our daughter! She'd definitely..." Dad's voice was cold. "There are no 'definitelies'. You need to focus on getting healthy. If you can't give me a son, I'll find someone who can!" I didn't hear Mom argue anymore. I knew she'd given in. From that day on, I was the useless daughter, groomed solely to be a pawn in a strategic marriage. When Chloe heard this part of my "trophy daughter" origin story, she was so mad she started throwing pillows around her living room. "I always wondered! You were so smart in middle school, then suddenly tanked your grades near graduation! It was your parents!" I shrugged. "Well, someone else has taken over my role and duties now. I'm free." Megan was undoubtedly the perfect candidate for a marriage alliance. Prettier than me, more accomplished, and desperate for Mom and Dad's approval. I bet the three of them would be very happy together. As for me? I'll just curl up quietly in a corner and count my money. "And here I was worried sick about you! You didn't tell me anything!" Chloe sounded both angry and impressed by my low-key baller status. Someone like me, who just wants a chill life, isn't exactly going to broadcast that she's a secret stock trader, right? "Fine, don't get a job. It's not like you'll starve." 5 I prioritized getting my name legally changed and severing official ties with the Sterlings. I handled it as quickly as possible. Not only that, I chose a new name for myself. Making a clean break from the Sterling family, completely. Dad pointed his finger at me, yelling, "I always knew you were too ambitious! Good riddance with the name change, you're not a Sterling anymore!" Mom was teary. "Ashley, why are you being so stubborn? We raised you for so many years." I was genuinely confused. "Weren't you the ones who asked me to sort out the legal stuff?" I did exactly what they wanted, even changed my name as a bonus, and they're still not happy? Is rich people logic different from normal people logic? Megan slammed a bill down in front of me. "Since you're so capable, pay back the money you owe." I glanced at the itemized list. "Which account should I transfer it to?" Megan smugly produced a bank card. "Dad said this all should have been mine. Consider it compensation. Transfer it here." The final amount was roughly what I'd calculated myself. I transferred the money immediately. The three of them stared, stunned. Megan looked blankly at Dad. "Did she steal money from the house? Or did you secretly give her money again?" I frowned. "Ms. Sterling, I earned this money through my own skills. Please don't insult my intelligence." The allowance account the Sterlings set up for me? I hadn't touched a dime. The seed money for my trading came from part-time jobs I worked. I was always careful, scared Mom and Dad would check my bank statements and find out I was trading stocks. They would have clamped down even harder. Even though I told myself I didn't care, deep down, I didn't want them to be wary of me. Things reaching this point was unexpected for everyone. Mom reached out. "Ashley..." I stepped back. "Mom, this is probably the last time I'll call you that. Take care of yourself. And... my name is Ava Hayes now." The name I chose for my new life. With that, I turned and left. Behind me, I heard Mom's heartbroken cry: "Ashley!" I didn't look back. They'll never know that money was supposed to be a surprise birthday gift for them. I had planned to proudly tell them I didn't want the Sterling fortune, that I was starting my own business. My purpose wasn't to be dressed up like a doll for show, or to be paraded around as a marriage prospect. I was just me. 6 The immediate transfer of funds clearly rattled the Sterlings. That same day, they made sure everyone knew I'd been kicked out of the family. Suddenly, the story was everywhere: I was the imposter who'd usurped the real heiress's place. Megan, being the darling of the moment and a popular lifestyle blogger, easily gained massive online support. Trolls found my old, barely used social media accounts and launched a campaign of cyberbullying, venting their outrage on Megan's behalf. 【Lived the high life meant for Megan for so long, finally got what you deserved!】 【Heard you're totally useless, can't do anything right lol】 【Blood will tell. No amount of fancy upbringing can make you compare to even Megan's little finger!】 【You spent so much of the Sterlings' money! Got the nerve to change your name but not pay it back?】 【Yeah, PAY IT BACK! It all belongs to Megan!】 【All that money spent on you and you're still a failure. Poor Megan, having her place taken by that for years.】 I posted a screenshot of the final bill, marked paid, stating I had settled my expenses with the Sterling family. While some users were surprised I paid it back so quickly, they saw it was the Sterlings' own calculation, and no one accused me of stealing from them directly. My straightforward attitude seemed to calm things down a bit, and the focus shifted away from me for a moment. Just when I thought it was over, Megan started posting vague things online. She subtly implied the money I repaid was actually given to me by the Sterlings, adding that I was ungrateful – money could be repaid, but the debt of raising me couldn't. 【See? Knew a freeloader like her couldn't earn that kind of cash.】 【Probably just spare change for the Sterlings, enough for her to live comfortably forever.】 【How dare she claim she 'paid it back'? Shameless.】 【Feel so bad for Megan, coming home to all this drama. Maybe she was better off before.】 【This adopted girl is seriously ungrateful. Thinks paying back money settles everything?】 【The Sterlings raised her like their own for over a decade! How can she be so cold?】 【Looks like Megan is fitting in well. Her parents probably prefer her anyway.】 【Good, glad to hear it. Megan deserves better than constantly being reminded of this mess.】 The Sterlings chimed in at the right moment, officially stating Megan was their exceptional daughter, and the Chairman and his wife were incredibly proud of her. Online sleuths dug up my old school records. Comparing them to Megan's achievements made my expulsion from the family seem like a cause for public celebration. Chloe was furious. She wanted to hire hackers to go after Megan, but I stopped her. "Doing that will just give them more ammunition." No matter what, the fact remained: the Sterlings raised me, and Megan did suffer. In the public eye, I was expected to just take Megan's digs and anger. Unless she did something truly outrageous, reacting would make me look bad. "Besides," I added, "the Sterlings aren't the only ones who can produce bank statements." Because I'd overheard that argument between my adoptive parents years ago, I'd always kept a separate bank account. My own money, earned from those part-time jobs and early trades, went into that account. The Sterling allowance card was separate. I used my own card for things I liked, secretly stashing purchases at Chloe's place, never daring to let my family know. My apparent "frugality" even earned me praise from Mom a few times. Back then, I felt guilty. Now, I felt incredibly lucky. I addressed the money issue again online. I stated clearly that I never forgot the debt of gratitude for being raised by the Sterlings, and if they ever truly needed help, I would provide assistance. People mocked me mercilessly. The Sterlings were a wealthy dynasty. What kind of help could I possibly offer?
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