Chapter 1 At the airport's arrival hall , a girl stepped out into the bustle , long hair loose around her shoulders , sunglasses and a mask half - concealing her striking features , wireless headphones resting around her neck . In one hand , she easily carried a small suitcase , her long , pale legs drawing more than a few lingering glances as she passed . People stared , some whispering , half - convinced they'd just spotted a celebrity in the wild . She halted , pushing her sunglasses up with a careless touch . " Miss Alessia . " A middle - aged man in a tailored suit appeared before her , head respectfully lowered . Alessia Tate slid off her sunglasses and tucked them into her collar . The small beauty mark beneath her eye only emphasized her allure . " Are my parents home ? " " Yes , they've returned ," the man replied . Alessia's expression didn't flicker with excitement or even the slightest hint of nerves . It was as if the people waiting for her were complete strangers . " Butler , don't forget the rest of my luggage , " she reminded , her tone languid . " Of course , Miss . I'll have it brought to your room shortly . " She nodded and strode out of the airport without another word . The butler Dawson followed at a respectful distance . Outwardly , he betrayed nothing , but inside , he couldn't help but admire Alessia's composure . If it had been him - if he'd discovered , while traveling , that he'd been switched at birth - he'd have been a wreck , scrambling for the next flight home . It was one thing if the other family rivaled the Tates , but in this case … A trace of pity crept into Dawson's gaze as he watched Alessia's back . Poor girl , he thought . She probably had no idea what she was about to face . Alessia felt the weight of his stare but couldn't be bothered to respond . In truth , she wasn't anxious or heartbroken - if anything , she'd almost kept traveling abroad , only booking her return ticket once the Tates were confirmed back . At the curb , a black sedan waited with its door already open . Alessia didn't break stride, slipped inside , and pulled on her headphones the moment she settled in . 15-34 Chapter 1 The car glided away toward Tate Manor . She watched the city slide by outside the window , her mood as calm as glass . When she'd first learned she wasn't the Tates ' biological daughter , she'd been shocked , of course . But then - relief had washed over her . It wasn't that the Tates had mistreated her . Far from it . They'd always provided for her - financially , she'd been better off than any of her peers , with a monthly allowance that dwarfed theirs . But that was all there was to it . To the Tates , children existed to carry on the family name and produce the perfect heir . Three children meant a backup - a spare , in case the second wasn't a boy . If the second child had , in fact , been a son , Alessia wouldn't even exist . They never invested themselves emotionally . If you wanted something , you earned it with your grades . When the siblings reached the right age , they were shipped off to the most elite private academies in Europe - networking was just as important as academics . Alessia's luck was that she was a girl ; she didn't have to fight for what she wanted . The downside ? Her parents never paid her the slightest attention . Even birthday presents were left to their assistant to arrange . As a little girl , she'd tried everything - excelled in school , hoping for a word of praise , anything to be seen . But she was never acknowledged , never celebrated like her brother and younger sibling . She let her grades slip , but even that failed to provoke a reaction . Nothing she did could ever change them . Eventually , she understood : she was nothing but a pawn , her only value lying in the marriage alliance she'd be expected to forge once she turned eighteen - one more calculated move to keep the Tate legacy strong . Now the real daughter was back . Perfect . Thanks to her , Alessia's plans for escape had moved up by a whole year . The details had changed , but that was fine . If life had taught her anything , it was to stay flexible . " Miss Alessia , we've arrived , " Dawson announced , holding open the door . She stepped out . " I'll have your luggage sent up shortly . " " Thank you , " Alessia replied quietly , then headed for the manor's broad stone steps . The front door stood open , and Mae , the housekeeper , was waiting . 213 15:34 Chapter 1 " Miss Alessia , your parents are in the sitting room , " Mae said , setting a pair of slippers by the door . " Thank you . Please bring me some tea . " " Of course . " Alessia slipped into the slippers and strolled inside , unhurried . In the spacious living room , Mr. and Mrs. Tate sat side by side on the main sofa . Off to one side , perched on the edge of another couch , was a slender girl with her head lowered , hair curtaining her face so completely , it was impossible to make out her features . 15:34