Elwin basked in the adulation, chin lifted like a preening peacock. He gestured to his assistant, who handed me a document.
"Maureen, sign this agreement, and you can settle into your role as the Gilbert family's adopted daughter. With me and your future sister-in-law looking after you, you'll never want for anything."
The agreement stated in black and white that the Starlight shares were registered under my name.
But the actual shareholder was Valerie.
The date was three years ago.
Elwin was trying to use a forged proxy agreement to steal my equity.
Whatever love I'd once felt—that towering, overwhelming love—crumbled to ash.
I looked away and turned to leave.
Elwin grabbed my arm. "Little sis, where are you going?"
The seamless way he'd adopted that title made my hand move before I could think. My palm cracked across his face.
"Shut up. You think you're fit to call yourself my brother?"
He clutched his reddening cheek, disbelief written across his features.
"Maureen, what is wrong with you? Becoming a Gilbert daughter is something people would kill for. Why can't you just be grateful?"