A flicker of hope ignited inside me. I couldn't tear my eyes away from Fiona as she walked in.

The second she pushed through the door, Seth dropped his cutter and rushed over to her like a wounded puppy.

"Babe, thank God you're here. Someone called me a kept man and bullied me," he said.

Fiona looked distressed. She pulled him close and spoke softly to soothe him.

"It's okay, Seth. I'm here now. Who would dare touch you?"

He pointed at Dad lying unconscious on the floor and at me, who was covered in dirt and blood.

"It's them. These two deadbeats came into our spa to cause trouble and tried to walk out without paying. When I called them out, this one faked a heart attack and tried to hit me."

Dad and I were caked in grime, our faces covered in dirt, such that we were nearly unrecognizable. It was natural that Fiona didn't recognize us.

After hearing that, her expression instantly darkened.

"Where'd these street rats come from? You dared to mess with my sweetheart? They must have a death wish.

"Get these losers out of here. Break their bones and throw them in the river."

She couldn't even stand to look at us and barked orders at the security guard by the door.

My heart sank at those words.

Was this really my sister? The one who'd always been so sweet and obedient at home, who always listened to everything I said?

Was this who she really was when I wasn't around, someone who bullied people and treated human life like garbage?

Rage and disappointment flooded through me. I wiped the blood off my face and spat the rag out with whatever remaining strength I possessed.

I spoke slowly, each word deliberate. "Fiona, is this what you do with your status? Being Silverbrook's richest heiress? You just said you'd break someone's bones and throw them in the river. Whose bones were you referring to, exactly?"

My voice snapped her back to reality. She stared hard at my face, ignoring Seth's whining beside her.

It took her a moment longer to recognize me. She stammered, "J-James?"