Ethan POV The train screeched to a halt, and I stepped onto the platform at Crestwood Station. Snow fell in thick, heavy flakes, covering everything in white. I pulled my thin jacket tighter against the cold and checked my phone. One new message. My stomach twisted as I opened it. Emma. My girlfriend. The only good thing in my miserable life. "Where are you? I need to talk. Hurry up, I don't have time to waste." I frowned at the screen. Something felt off about her message. Was she angry that I'd been gone for two days? I'd only taken that short trip to visit my mom's grave in the countryside. I hadn't wanted to go, but it was the anniversary of her death. I typed back quickly: "Just got to the station. On my way." Shoving my phone in my pocket, I started walking toward the exit. No one had come to pick me up. Not that I expected anyone to. The Pierce family had made it clear I wasn't worth their time. "Stop! Thief!" A man's voice rang out behind me. Before I could turn arou

Ethan POV The shock of everything that had happened still gripped me as Henry led me into the largest mansion I'd ever seen. Lily was in my arms, crying softly, her tears soaking through my shirt.My shirt. My cheap, worn-out shirt that probably cost less than the doormat of this place."Have a seat, young master," Henry said, gesturing to a living room that looked like something from a movie. Multiple couches, each one probably worth more than a car. "I'll get you some tea."I carefully sat down on one of the couches, adjusting Lily so she was comfortable. She clutched her rabbit toy tightly, her eyes red and swollen.Minutes later, Henry returned with two mugs of tea. He placed them on the coffee table in front of us. Lily had fallen asleep against my shoulder, her breathing finally steady."I figured it would be better if we discussed this over tea," Henry began, sitting across from me. "I'll answer every question you have, so feel free to ask."I looked at the mug, then back at h

Ethan POVCHAPTER 5After the driver dropped me off at the mansion, I decided I needed to go back to the Pierce house one more time. I still had a few things there—not that any of it was worth much. But it was mine."Should I take you there, young master?" the driver offered."No," I said. "Drop me off a few blocks away. I don't want anyone to see this car."I wasn't ready for the Pierce family to know about my new life. Not yet.The driver let me out on Rolling Street, far enough from the Pierce house that no one would notice. I waited until he drove away before walking toward the place I used to call home.The cold bit at my skin, but it wasn't as bad as before. Maybe because I knew I had somewhere warm to go back to now.I pushed open the front door quietly. The living room was empty. Strange. Usually, Victoria was there, barking orders at the staff.Then I heard voices coming from downstairs.My old room. The basement."Didn't you say he was in his room?!" That was Marcus, my fath

Ethan POV After practice, my new friends invited me to dinner at a trendy restaurant near campus. I agreed, happy to have people who actually wanted to spend time with me.That evening, I put Lily to bed and headed out. Henry caught me at the door."You're going out, young master?" he asked."Just dinner with friends.""Then you'll need this." He handed me a black card with my initials: E.J.B."What's this?""Your new identification card. I've also contacted your university. Pierce has been removed from your records. You're now officially registered as Ethan Julius Blackwell."I stared at the card. Ethan Julius Blackwell. My new name. My new life."Thank you, Henry.""I'm just doing my job, young master."I arrived at the restaurant—Hayes Bistro—and spotted my friends waving me over. I'd never been to a place this nice before."We thought you weren't coming," Liam said as I sat down.The restaurant was beautiful. Expensive. The kind of place I would've never dared to enter before.Th

Ethan POV The Blackwell Corporation headquarters was a massive glass tower in the heart of downtown Crestwood. I'd seen it before from a distance but never imagined I'd actually go inside.Now I was about to run the place.Henry accompanied me in the car. He'd dressed me in one of my new suits—a navy blue three-piece that made me look older than nineteen."Remember," Henry said as we pulled up to the building, "confidence is key. These people will test you. Don't let them see any weakness."I nodded, trying to calm my racing heart.The lobby was enormous, with marble floors and a chandelier that probably cost more than most people made in a year. Employees hurried past, all dressed professionally.Some of them glanced at me curiously as Henry led me to a private elevator."This elevator goes directly to the top floor," Henry explained. "The boardroom is there."The ride up felt like it took forever. When the doors finally opened, we stepped into a hallway lined with expensive artwork