Chapter 1
Mia Turner stood frozen at the entrance to the living room, her fingers clutching the strap of her work bag. Her sister Lily had interrupted her while she was getting ready, insisting their mother had something important to discuss.
“Mia, sit down,” her mother, Mary Turner, ordered, lounging on the worn-out sofa like a queen holding court. Her bright red lipstick clashed with the faded blush on her face, her manicured nails tapping against her wine glass.
“Can’t this wait? I have work,” Mia replied, her voice tight. “I can’t afford to be late again.”
Her mother raised an eyebrow. “Work? You mean playing servant to those rich snobs at Casa Lounge? Please.”
Mia bit her tongue. She knew better than to rise to the bait. She needed this job. Casa Lounge wasn’t just a paycheck; it was her lifeline, the first step in her plan to save enough money to leave Willowcrest and the stigma of being a Turner behind.
Ethan, her older brother, sat slouched in the corner, scrolling through his phone. His indifference to the chaos of their family was almost admirable. At least he stayed out of the endless bickering.
“What’s this about, Mom?” Mia asked, her patience slipping.
Mary’s lips curled into a smile. “We have good news.”
Mia blinked, skeptical. “Good news?”
“Yes!” Lily, the eldest, jumped in, practically glowing with excitement. “I got a golden invite to the Willowcrest Unicorn Party!”
Mia blinked again, slower this time, trying to process how this was supposed to be good news. The Unicorn Party-the most exclusive, over-the-top event for the rich and powerful-was as far removed from her world as the moon.
“And this is good news… how?” Mia asked, genuinely baffled.
“Attending will be nice though,” Ethan muttered without looking up from his phone.
“Nice?!” Lily’s voice rose an octave. “Do you have any idea what this means? The richest bachelors in the world will be there! This is it!”
“And how did your name end up on the list?” Mia asked, her tone sharper than she intended.
“Connections,” Mary said smugly, swirling her wine.
Mia didn’t want to dig deeper into what kind of “connections” her mother was referring to. She knew the answer wouldn’t be pleasant.
“Okay, so Lily’s going to some fancy party. What does that have to do with me?” Mia asked, checking the time on her phone. She really couldn’t afford to be late.
Mary leaned forward, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial tone. “This is our chance, Mia. Lily just needs to catch the eye of the right man. A billionaire. Someone who can change all our lives.”
Mia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Of course, it was another one of her mother’s schemes. Everything in Mary Turner’s life revolved around chasing rich men, and her daughters were no exception.
“I’m happy for Lily,” Mia said flatly, rising to leave. “Congratulations and good luck with the party. I have to go.”
“Sit down, Mia,” Mary snapped, her tone sharpening.
“I can’t be late-”
1/3
“Sit!”
Reluctantly, Mia dropped back onto the couch, glancing at the clock on the wall. She was already cutting it too close.
“Listen, you all know how much we suffer and lose after that old bastard put me in Jail. This is a one time opportunity that will change our lives forever”
“How does that even concern me? Or did the whole family get invited?”
“You wish…” Lily said with snort. ” No one is inviting you to that kind of party with that face”
Ethan chuckles, pulling eyes to him.
“Lily you have to stop pretending, like Mia isn’t the prettiest in this family” Ethan said, eyes still fixed on his phone.
“Eww, don’t say it like that you’re my brother” Mia smiles, always trying to get under his brother’s skin
“Did I mention she is the most stupid?”
“I try”
“Enough both of you” Mary scolds
“I seriously need to get to work mom, whatever this is obviously doesn’t concern me”
“Always so proud talking about it, like it’s a real job?” Anna, the middle sister, said with a snide laugh.
“At least I’m doing something!” Mia snapped.
Before the argument could escalate further, Mary’s phone buzzed. She checked the screen, a sly smile spreading across her face. “Same time, same place, Barry? I’ll be there,” she said into the phone, her voice dripping with seduction.
Mia felt a wave of disgust wash over her. She didn’t need to guess what the call was about. It was her mother’s usual business -entertaining some wealthy man in exchange for cash, gifts, or favors.
As Mary hung up, she turned her attention back to Mia. “The point is, we all need to contribute to get your sister everything she needs for that party. You included.”
“This is ridiculous mom! Count me out,” Mia said, her voice steely.
Mary’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t be selfish, Mia. This is for the family.”
“I don’t have have money”
“Yes you do❞ Anna rushed to say. “You’ve been saving a lot of money for college.”
“Like you said college”
“This is more than college and I’ve told you a thousand times you’re a Turner you have no business with College” Mary says, checking her phone.
And I have said it a million times, I’m not like you! I don’t want to be like you, I don’t want to sit around and wait for some rich guy to come change my life”
“So you think you’re better than us now?”
“Oh my god! I’m leaving. Lily I’m sure you can sort yourself out, and if you do get your billionaire boyfriend or husband remember not to give me a dime from his money”
2/3
Chapter 1
Mia grabs her bag and heads for the door.
College in another country is her way out, no one is jeopardizing that for her.
There’s nothing she wants than to leave this town, remove the curse name she bears from her existence.
“Oh you’re a Turner, never mind”
“You’re a Turner you have no say”
“Girl you’re a Turner”
“You’re Turner Shut up and open your legs”
“Not a Turner trying to form modesty”
