On the way home, Lily was still buzzing about the game, her voice filled with excitement. Mr. Blackwell, intrigued, asked about it, and she recount-
ed the evening’s events in detail.
She finished with a sigh of admiration. “That ‘M’ is just incredible. I heard they’ve been number one since the very beginning, but no one knows
who they really are.”
Mr. Blackwell speculated idly, “If they’re as brilliant as you say, they’re probably a university professor or something.”
Lily shook her head earnestly. “No, Dad. The rules of the game state that players can’t be
over twenty years old.”
The three of them chatted warmly. I yawned and headed upstairs. As I passed Ryan’s room, I saw the light was still on. The diligent CEO wasn’t
home yet.
Downstairs, none of the three mentioned him.
How pitiful. We were kindred spirits in our misery.
A family of five, yet two of us were always nameless.
It used to be Jessie. Now, it was me.
7
In that moment, I think I finally understood why Jessie had left for the Millers’ so cleanly and decisively the moment she learned she was the fake
heiress.
Soon enough, it was time to start school.
was placed in Lily’s class. She was surprised to see me, because it was the honors class.
Even though I’d promised Old Man Al I’d come to school, I still slept when I wanted and played on my phone when I wanted. On the first day, he came by the classroom to see me. Satisfied that I was truly a student at Northwood, he left with his hands clasped behind his back, but not before
instructing my teachers not to disturb my naps.
Lily reported my daily performance at home, and Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell’s disappointment in me naturally grew.
Ryan did try to talk to me about it once.
Chapter 2
I casually pulled out a practice exam, finished it on the spot, and handed it to him. He never brought up my studies again.
Time passed. The school’s early admission decision came out.
Lily’s name wasn’t on the list.
Mine was.
When Lily came home and announced it, the house exploded.
