Reclaiming My Stolen Legacy

ll studio, surrounded by canvases and the smell of t

perate for Liam's app

arents, had taken me in as a baby. But they always held me at arm's length. Chloe, their biological daught

posed to be my triumph. It would finally make me worthy in their e

lidation. I didn't need Lia

old art supplies from the garage. I told the housekeeper I was coming

Chloe's voice, light and conspiratorial

fr

asked. "Liam's family is furious about the b

am is already convinced I'm the real talent. He's practically eating o

od ran

n in her tone. "Everything is going according

to the door, my heart

nd out?" Chloe asked, a flicker of anx

caught in

The nurse was paid well and she disappeared soon after. They got a quiet, healthy baby, and I made sure my daughter got the life she

tilted o

y head. Swap. Hartwel

influence that dwarfed even Liam's family. I knew they had a daughter who they had a

hey had adopted me.

. A monstrous, l

her," swapped at birth to steal my identity, my family, my fortune. And I was th

er me. It wasn't just my art they planned to steal. The

tumbled out of the house, leaving the art supplies behind, and ran. I

ardened into somet

phone. My hands

y were patrons of the arts, major donors to Northwood Academy. They wer

I found for a reputabl

hteen years ago," I said, my voice devoid of emotion. "And I need a n

hout hesitation, promising to wire the deposit. The small inheritance my biological grandm

phone rang again. It w

later, a tex

your apartment.

orts car was parked at the curb. He wa

ove. I did

her

e you were snooping around. Are you that jealous? A

, a slow, cold smile sp

s was about jealousy over a painting. He couldn't possib

ng for my art. I was fighti

eir world to the gr