When my biological parents found me, I had just crawled out of a mine.

At that time, I was covered in coal dust, filthy and disheveled.

I could tell that my biological parents were disgusted when they looked at me.

Especially my biological father, who said, “Get her another car. Don't let her dirty the family car.”

My biological mother, holding back her disgust, showed concern, “Sweetheart, you've suffered all these years. When you get home and clean up, I will pamper you.”

Then, they rushed into the car.

With them came their adopted son, Alden. He looked at me, then at his own black Maybach and finally sighed, “You can ride with me.”

“There’s a shower at the mine. I’ll clean up and change clothes before getting in,” I answered listlessly, then went to take a shower.

After changing clothes, I got into Alden’s Maybach and we headed to my biological parents' home.

When I arrived at the Spencer house, I didn’t see my biological parents. Instead, I saw someone about my age, named Celia—the fake daughter who had been switched with me back then.

Celia came up to me with a big smile, grabbed my hand and said, “Sherrie, right? Oh, it’s nice to finally meet you, big sis. Don’t worry, I won't play that 'real and fake daughter' drama. From now on, we’re real sisters. Let’s get along well!”

As she spoke, she shoved a fruit knife into my hand and pulled my hand toward her.

——

At our first meeting, Celia placed a fruit knife in my hand and tried to make me stab her.

Was this the Spencer Family’s twisted idea of a welcome?

Thankfully, even though I’m lazy, I’m not weak. Celia didn’t get her way this time. She pulled hard but couldn't move me. When she looked at me again, her eyes blinked innocently. Then she tried pulling again.

I pointed at the phone hanging from my neck and said briefly, “It’s always recording.”

Celia was so frightened that she immediately let go of my hand.

At that moment, Alden, who had parked the car, came in. When he saw the fruit knife in my hand and the fear on Celia’s face, his expression became strange.

I couldn’t be bothered to explain and casually placed the fruit knife back into Celia’s hand.

“Alden, you’re back?” she asked. 

“I asked Carol Ann to make you some Caprese salad. I’ll go get it for you.” Celia’s face was full of eagerness to please.

“I’m not hungry,” Alden shook his head and then looked at me. “How about you, Sherrie? Are you hungry?”

“Too lazy to eat.” I walked to the sofa and flopped onto it, pulling out some snacks from my backpack and shoving them into my mouth listlessly.

This was how I lived: sit when I could, lie down when I could sit.

“Tired?” Alden asked with concern.

“I'm fine.” I kept eating, then pulled out my tablet, tapping code with my left hand while scrolling videos on my phone with my right, occasionally stuffing snacks into my mouth.

Alden and Celia stared at me like I’d grown two heads.

Then Celia came over and said, looking very kind, “Sherrie, you've suffered these years and probably haven't learned the etiquette of high society. If people see you like this, it would be embarrassing for the Spencer Family. But don’t worry, I’ll teach you social etiquette.”

“Not interested,” I said, yawning. “You know, they could really use some extra hands at the mine right now. You sure you don’t wanna head home and help out?”

I figured it was important to meet my biological parents, even if just once. That’s why I was here now. And I thought Celia would feel the same way.

But her mouth twitched and her eyes went red instantly. “I knew you didn’t like me. Fine, maybe I should just leave the Spencer Family then.”

“Suit yourself.”

I could tell that although she said she wouldn’t play the ‘real and fake daughter’ drama, she still wanted to fight.

But fight for what?

Property?

I wasn’t interested.

I really wanted to tell her that I didn’t care about money.

But I knew she definitely wouldn’t believe me — no normal person would.

And I couldn’t be bothered to explain.

Alden walked over and sat next to me, saying, “Mom and Dad said they're going abroad for a few days. When they come back, they’ll make it up to you. They hope you don’t overthink.”

“Hmm,” I nodded rigidly, feeling like my soul could float out of my body at any time.

Alden sighed a little, then turned to Celia. “Is the room ready?”

“I'm still working on it,” Celia said, looking a little guilty. “Since Sherrie’s important to us, I want to make sure everything’s perfect.”

“Maybe we can let Sherrie stay in a guest room tonight?” she added, sounding hesitant.

Alden frowned, clearly seeing through her little scheme. “How could she stay in the guest room? She’s family, not a guest!”

“I’m sorry. I know that I’m the outsider here,” Celia said and then she actually started crying.

I saw Alden roll his eyes. I wanted to roll mine too, but I was too lazy.

“I can stay anywhere, as long as there’s a window for ventilation,” I said casually.

Alden sighed in relief, happy that I, the real daughter, wasn’t difficult. “Then pick any room you like, except Mom and Dad’s. I’ll get your room ready tomorrow,” he said.

Celia, still looking pitiful, said, “I can help arrange a room for Sherrie too.”

Alden ignored her and said to me, “I have a meeting at the company this afternoon. If anything comes up, we’ll deal with it after I get back.”

“Got it,” I replied, continuing to sprawl on the sofa.

Alden shook his head, seemingly helpless about my laziness. He quickly left. It seemed he had an important position at the company.

After he left, Celia came over and said, “Sherrie, let me show you a good room. You’ll love it.”

“Okay,” I said, dragging myself off the couch reluctantly.

If I could strip naked and lie in the living room, I would have stayed. I really didn’t want to move.

As for Celia being so eager, I knew she was up to something, but I wasn’t going to stress about it.

Sure enough, she took me to a room on the second floor.

The room was very clean, with a faint orchid scent. Everything was neatly arranged. It was obvious the owner had a cleanliness obsession and OCD.

From what I’d observed, the one with OCD in this house was probably Alden.

Sure enough, I soon found Alden’s photo on the desk.

I gave Celia a sideways glance, thinking, “Seriously? You think I'm too dumb to realize this is Alden's room?”

But Celia just smiled like nothing was off and said, “If you like it here, feel free to rest.”

“Okay.” I nodded.

I knew she was trying to set me up, but I honestly wasn’t in the mood to go room hunting. All I wanted was a hot shower and a bed to crash into.

Celia giggled and quickly slipped out, like she was scared I’d suddenly change my mind.

I took a shower and then collapsed onto the bed.

Sometime after dark, I was woken by the sound of light coughing.

Alden was standing beside the bed in a sharp black suit, his expression cold and unreadable—like he was waiting for an explanation.

Celia whispered beside him, “I’m sorry, Alden, but there was nothing I could do. Sherrie insisted on staying in your room. I told her about your OCD, but she just wouldn’t listen.”

Alden stayed silent for a while before finally asking, “You comfortable?”

I honestly thought he was going to be mad, especially after how hard Celia had been trying to stir things up.

I rubbed my eyes, nodded seriously and said, “Yeah. The aromatherapy helps me sleep.”

Alden gave me a surprised look, like he didn’t expect me to even know that aromatherapy helps with sleep. Then he said, coolly, “Alright. You can stay then.”

Celia, seeing this, said a little pitifully, “You always get mad whenever I step into your room, but now you're letting Sherrie stay here? Why?” 

Alden ignored her completely. Instead, he turned to me with a soft smile and asked, “Are you hungry?”

I nodded, adding, “But I don’t feel like getting out of bed.”

“I’ll bring something up for you,” he said, nodding and then left.

Celia stared wide-eyed, gritting her teeth. “Why?! You just got back and he's already treating you like this? He’s a clean freak, but he’s letting you sleep in his bed, even letting you eat on it. Why?!”

I couldn't be bothered to answer. I pulled out my phone and started scrolling through videos.

Celia stood there looking like a total clown, but she still didn't leave. She clearly wanted to see for herself how I was going to eat on Alden’s bed.

Before long, Alden came back, pushing a food cart.

There was a little tray attached to the cart that could unfold into a table. I sluggishly sat up, rinsed my mouth out first and then dug into the food. Alden went over to the desk to work on his laptop, completely ignoring me.

Celia came over and picked up the juice from the cart.

I knew she was up to something — most likely planning to spill it on the bed and then run to Alden, crying about how rude I was to dirty his bed, knowing full well he had OCD.

I didn't know exactly how Alden would react, but one thing was certain: if she managed to pull it off, I’d definitely be kicked out of this room.

I really didn’t want to move.

So I picked up my phone and pointed it right at her.

The second before she could throw the juice, she froze, plastered a fake smile on her face and handed it to me instead. “A glass of juice, Sherrie? Here.” 

“No, thanks.” I glanced over at Alden and coincidentally, he looked over at me, too.

In that brief eye contact, I noticed something — his eyes were beautiful. He had gaze so deep like he could see right through everything.

“Celia, you’ve got finals coming up. Shouldn't you be studying?” Alden said.

Celia's mouth twitched. She knew he was kicking her out, so she had no choice but to leave.

After I finished eating, the housekeeper came in to clean up.

Then I went back to my routine — coding with one hand, scrolling my phone with the other.

Before I realized it, three hours had passed. I started feeling sleepy again.

I decided to take a shower and then go back to bed.

Just as I was getting up, Alden finished his work. He came over, set a bottle of pills down on the nightstand and said, “Herbal supplement — good for brain.”

“Thanks,” I replied, a bit puzzled.

I looked at him suspiciously. How did he even know I needed brain supplements? But he had already left the room. I couldn’t be bothered to ask. I went to shower, took the supplement and fell asleep quickly.

The next few days, I barely left the room.

Celia tried to cause trouble a few times, but failed miserably.

Meanwhile, Alden continued working from the room every day, but we hardly spoke.

Until one day, I was still asleep when suddenly my blanket was ripped off.

Startled awake, I saw my biological parents standing there — and it was my father who had yanked the covers off me.