Chapter 1

I returned from studying abroad to find a future sister-in-law in my house.

She proclaimed herself the future lady of the Sherman family, the young mistress.

She even threatened to put this never-before-met little sister in her place.

But no one told her my brother was adopted.

Being the sole heir of the Sherman family, I even had my brother tread carefully around me.

When my brother, Rylan Sherman, picked me up from the airport and brought me home, my parents were eagerly waiting.

Due to the pandemic, I hadn't been home in ages, so everyone was overjoyed.

After exchanging warm greetings and catching up, Rylan pulled a strange woman toward me.

With slight awkwardness, he introduced her, "This is my girlfriend, your future sister-in-law, Kenna Burke."

Then he tilted his chin at her. "This is my sister, Adeline Sherman. Just call her Ada."

"Hello," she said with a polished smile, extending both hands. Still buzzing from the reunion, I greeted her briefly before turning back to chatter with my parents.

That night, curled up with Mom, I learned Kenna was an intern at a branch Rylan managed, sweet, uncomplicated, and utterly adored by him.

Within weeks of dating, he'd brought her home, already talking about marriage.

"Seriously? He's really getting married?" I gasped, thrilled by the gossip.

"Your father and I hoped for someone of equal standing," Mom sighed. "But if he's set on her, we won't interfere."

Mom had always been open-minded, so I wasn't worried.

Until the next day, when I realized I'd underestimated Kenna.

Jet-lagged, I woke in the late afternoon.

Heading downstairs for food, I was halfway through breakfast when a voice drawled behind me.

"You just woke up? Your brother's already put in half a day at the office."

Excuse me? My brain short-circuited.

I turned to see Kenna.

"Uh... were you talking to me?" I asked, incredulous.

She rolled her eyes so hard I swore they'd get stuck.

Arms crossed, she sauntered down the stairs like she owned the place, a far cry from her demure act yesterday.

"Who else? Or do you see a third person here?"

The hostility was unmistakable. So I hadn't misread her.

After a stunned pause, I laughed, "Thought you were talking to a ghost. We're not close. Don't mind my business."

I dismissed her and went back to eating. What did Rylan see in this train wreck?

She marched over, ready to snap back, until the front door swung open.

Instantly, Kenna morphed into a wounded fawn. "Don't be mad, Ada. If you hate it, I'll stop..."

Wow. A textbook mean girl act. Did she even hear herself?

Mom and Rylan walked in.

Noticing Kenna's pout, Mom hurried over. "What's wrong?"

Seizing the moment, Kenna summoned tears. "Ada hates it when I say she woke up late. I just wanted to be close... Don't worry. I'll never do that again."

Her voice trembled. Oscar-worthy.

I gaped. Twenty-plus years alive, and I'd never met a real-life drama queen.

Mom waved it off. "It's not a big deal."

Rylan shot me a look. "She's jet-lagged and grumpy. Don't take it personally."

Arm around his "distressed" girlfriend, he whisked her away to comfort her.

My appetite vanished. When Mom asked what had happened, I shrugged.

Let's see what else this clown had up her sleeve.