A Life Built on Their Lies

me. Then, just as I was about to give up, a black Lincoln Town Car, the kind

briskly walked to the car and got in. The car pulled away smoothly, disappearing i

ling like lead. The spare key was exactly where they always told me it was

was spotless, but it was an impersonal, sterile clean. As I

g uniforms were pack

y in March," one of them was saying. "Can you believe

entire house, just to trick their own daughter? And the old folks

"Just wish they' d give us a heads-up. We had to r

mind reeling. A charade. A TV show. My

my father owned. It was a holding company, and its address was

e a hoarse whisper. "E

ing. Twenty minutes later, we were at a massive gate with a

s the gate. The address from the do

his tone immediately dismissive. He

Reynolds family. At 1

ack at me. "You' re not on the list. Delive

said, my voice shaking sl

, kid, I don' t know what you' re trying to pull, but you ne

y eyes. I was being thrown o

ared up to the gate. The window glided down, and

in his eyes, quickly followed by annoyance.

ds. Good eve

Bill?" Julian asked, n

sir. Said she was your family. I

t out of the car and walked toward

voice laced with a mocking cruelty.

me, his handsome face

e Olivia

peak. I just

e one they keep in the crappy apartment. The one who' s supp

aming. He knew.

word was a ch

hey saw some psychic, some 'master,' when I was born. He told them you were born und

is voice dropping to a

t. Keep you away from the family, from the money, from me. That way, your bad luck couldn' t touch

irk on his face. "Looks like th