A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“When I was in middle school, my dad lost his job because the factory laid off a bunch of workers. My mom, though–she’d always worked so hard–she was spared. After that, my dad just… changed. He started drinking every day, playing cards with his buddies. One time, my mom tried talking to him, just said a few words, and he smashed a beer bottle over her head.”

Vera’s voice was barely above a whisper, but it was as if she’d finally found a crack to let all the pain spill out. She didn’t know if the girl sitting across from her–a girl who’d clearly grown up with every

advantage–could ever understand what it was like for a family like hers. But right now, she had no one else to talk to. No one except the girl in

front of her.

“Mom, are you okay?”

Vera, just twelve then, had rushed up to her house when she saw a crowd gathered at the front steps.

In the living room, broken glass from beer bottles was scattered everywhere. Her mother, Carla, was sitting on the floor clutching her head; blood dripped through her fingers, spattering the hardwood with

blossoms of red.

“Vera.” Carla looked stunned, but instinctively pulled her daughter into her

arms.

Vera stared at her father, disbelief and horror

and daughter had tried to be understanding–after all, they knew how hard the layoff had hit him. They didn’t nag, didn’t complain, just hoped he’d snap out of it in a few

“a few days” turned

for the fourth night in a row. She was finally off early and had stopped by the market to pick up some

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Chapter 385

of meat–planning to cook something special, hoping it might lift

everywhere, dirty dishes piled high in the sink. The weight she’d been carrying all week

bottle at her. “I… I…” The man’s face was pale, panic flickering in

back, looking lost, but when he caught their stares, he straightened his shoulders, trying to save

what I want! If you

of her. Sure, he’d always been stubborn and old–fashioned, but she’d never heard him talk like

are you looking at? It’s my wife–I’ll teach her a lesson if I

the men in the crowd called out, half–joking,

too! She still listens, even if

pride, the earlier panic gone, replaced with a twisted sense of