Chapter One: Ari’s Downfall

Anna’s POV

The long-awaited day is finally here—the day of my inauguration as president of Anderson Wears.

My family’s company.

I had always loved fashion design, but that dream was shattered when my dad forced me to study business administration in college. I was sad, but he insisted it was the only way I could run a business.

Today, though, I feel hopeful. As president, I might finally join the design team and expand the company the way I’ve always wanted.

Peeping through the slight opening of the door, I can see the hall is already filled with guests. I walk in, eyes glued to me. Of course I make a massive entrance.

My sky-blue dress catches everyone’s attention. I had to hide to sew it so my parents wouldn’t know. It fits my body perfectly, as if it were made for me. My makeup is light but lovely. Golden earrings dangle from my ears, and my hair is pinned up.

I smile as I walk, spotting many respected business tycoons among the seated guests. They can’t seem to take their eyes off me.

From the corner of my eye I see my boyfriend. I look at him and smile widely. I can’t wait to tell him the good news I have for him. I giggle at the thought.

The ceremony begins.

My dad gives the opening speech and talks about the history of Anderson Wears—the story of him running away from home and struggling before finally building the company.

“Today, I’m finally handing this company over to my lovely daughter… who showed interest and put in a lot of effort to prove her capabilities.”

“…Lucy Anderson,” Dad calls.

Lucy? Wait—there must be some kind of mistake.

I’m Arianna, not Lucy.

My sister stands from her chair and walks majestically to the stage as the guests clap. For more than a minute my brain stops working. I can’t even hear the applause.

I look around to see if I’m imagining things, but I’m interrupted by a tap on the shoulder.

“I think you should go back to your seat. I haven’t called you,” Dad says with a smirk.

I don’t even realize how I ended up on the stage. I look at Lucy, and she wears the widest smile. I walk back shamefully, trying to console myself. Maybe Dad has a bigger surprise for me.

I sit as they sign the documents transferring ownership.

After the signing, Dad picks up the microphone. “You all must be wondering why I didn’t give Arianna the company.”

The room falls quiet.

He presses the remote for the projector, and a file appears. Looking closely, I realize it’s a DNA test of my parents and me…

My eyes widen as I read further.

We aren’t a match. That’s what it says.

How could this happen? I think, staring at the screen.

Then the next slide is even more shocking than the first.

It’s a three-second clip of me riding an unknown man. Only my face is visible.

My mouth falls open. I want to defend myself, but nothing comes out.

“Oh my gosh, is that not Arianna?”

“She’s so shameless.”

“You know a street girl when you see one.”

Harsh comments from the guests fill the room.

I glance at my boyfriend, but he isn’t even looking at me.

“I’m so disappointed to show you all the kind of daughter I raised,” Dad says with a teary voice.

Mom walks up to the stage and holds Dad’s hand. Lucy stands beside them.

“Arianna Anderson was a girl my wife and I adopted when she was eight months old,” Dad continues. “Most of you here know how difficult it was for my wife to conceive. We gave Arianna everything we would give our own child… and this is how she repaid us.

“I stand before all of you to announce that I, Thomas Anderson, have disowned Arianna. She is no longer a member of this family or the company.”

“What?!” I scream and stand up immediately.

I run up to the stage. “Dad, Mom, you can’t do this to me! That video is AI. I haven’t done anything like that—please believe me!”

I run to my boyfriend, Justin. “Please tell them the video is fake. You’re the only one I’ve ever made love to,” I beg, but he just shoves me away.

I sink dreadfully onto the floor, my makeup ruined by tears.

I watch Justin walk up to the stage and kneel before Lucy. He brings out a small box and opens it.

“Lucy Anderson, the woman who made me realize so much about myself… would you do me the honor of being my wife?” Justin asks.

“Yes, I will be your wife,” Lucy says as she hugs and kisses him, pure excitement on her face.

The crowd claps and cheers for them.

I can’t believe my eyes.

Everything is happening too fast.

Justin—the idiot who promised to be with me for the rest of our lives—is now engaged to Lucy.

I have never felt so much anger in my life.

They both played me.

The most painful part of all is that I’m pregnant.

Yes—two weeks pregnant. And the supposed father of my child is in love with my sister.

My parents claim I’m not their child… so who am I then?

I rush to the stage and slap Justin hard. His cheek turns red.

“How dare you, Justin? How dare you do this to me?!” I scream, continuing to hit him.

He grips my hands tightly and whispers, “How could you say that after cheating on me, Ari?”

My face turns pale. The sex clip.

“I… I didn’t cheat on you. You know how much I love you. I need you to believe me, please.” Tears roll down my cheeks.

“I saw you, Ari. I saw you fuck that motherfucker. Just leave me alone, okay?” Justin says. “And I hope you rot in hell for breaking my heart.”

Security comes in and drags me out of the hall.

Where do I go from here?