Zoe Quinn Novel The Unwanted Heir's Takeover

Ten years. Thats how long I served my time in the gray, the space between lives. I scrubbed my karmic slate clean and bought myself a second chance, but I didn't come back empty-handed. The universe, in its infinite and brutal wisdom, gave me a gift: a power that makes the lies of my biased parents come true.

At the dinner table, my adoptive mother slid the only steak onto my brothers plate.
A growing boy needs his protein or hell get stupid, shed said. A girl can make do with bread and scraps.
In that instant, my brothers eyes glazed over. Hes been babbling like a toddler ever since.

When I was eighteen, they started a vicious rumor to scrape together cash for my brother. My adoptive father swore an oath to the whole town. I saw it with my own two eyes! Old Man Hemlock dragging my daughter into the cornfields. I'd have to be blind to mistake my own kid!
The next second, my father's world went black. He hasn't seen the light of day since.

Later, when the Quinnsthe obscenely wealthy family who were my real parentsfinally found me, my adoptive mother pulled my new mother aside, her voice a conspiratorial whisper.
Be careful what you say around this one. Dont ever, ever lie to her.

My birth mother, Eleanor, didn't understand. Not yet.

She would.

Back at the Quinn estate, she wrapped an arm around the weeping girl theyd raised as their own, a girl named Natalie, and smiled at me. Natalie has always been so delicate. The room with the morning sun its better for her health if she keeps it.

1

My father, Richard Quinn, nodded instantly. His gaze softened as he looked at the fragile, perfect Natalie. Shes right. Natalies constitution is weak; she needs the sun. The third-floor suite with the terrace is hers. You can take the room on the second floor.

I looked at Natalie. Her cheeks were flushed with color, her skin as flawless as porcelain. She looked about as delicate as a diamond.
Then I thought of my own reflection: hair like straw from years of malnutrition, skin sallow and stretched thin over my bones.

I tilted my head, my voice flat. What about her is weak?

The question seemed to throw Eleanor. She stammered, searching for an answer. Well shes just

Natalies eyes immediately welled with tears. She sagged against Eleanor like a wilted flower. Mom, does she hate me? I I can give her the room. I dont mind I should be the one to leave anyway. Yes, you should just let me go! She made a show of wiping her eyes and turning toward the door.

Natalie, dont be ridiculous! Eleanor pulled her back, cradling her protectively before turning to glower at me. Zoe, we arent playing favorites. The fact is, Natalie is fragile. She has to be looked after carefully.

Thats when my brother, Leo, who had been sizing me up with a critical stare, finally spoke. Why are you asking so many questions? You might share my blood, but Natalie is the only sister Ill ever claim. Youre the older one now, so you need to learn to give way to her.

A cold smile touched my lips, one they couldn't see. In my last life, I was ground down to nothing by that cruel couple who raised me. I did the hardest chores, ate the worst food, and finally froze to death on the street one winter when I was fifteen. I used to wonder why. I thought it was just because I was unlovable. It never occurred to me that I wasnt theirs at all.

But looking at this new family, I realized that even if I had survived long enough to be found, my life wouldnt have been much better.

But the powers that be gave me a second chance. And they included a little party favor.
This time, to hell with family. Anyone who owes me a debt will pay it. In full.

I asked again, my voice deceptively soft. Are you sure? Is she really that weak?
My little gift would be the judge of that. I was practically vibrating with anticipation, eager to see how it worked on the Quinns.

My father waved a dismissive hand. Thats enough. Dont be so difficult. Are you saying were lying to you?

Eleanor nodded, her voice edged with urgency. Its true, Zoe. Natalies health is a serious matter. Her doctor said if shes not cared for properly, she could she could collapse, even cough up blood.

She hadnt even finished the sentence.

Splat.

The girl in her arms, Natalie, gave a violent shudder. A spray of crimson erupted from her lips, painting the pristine white rug. The silence in the grand living room was absolute, broken only by the drip of blood onto the marble floor. Then, Natalies eyes rolled back, and she slumped to the ground, her face paling to a ghostly white before our eyes.

Natalie!
My baby!

The three of them scrambled, their panic a chaotic symphony around her limp body.
I remained where I stood, a silent, satisfied smile playing on my lips.
See? Lies have a way of coming true.

They rushed Natalie to the hospital. The moment their car was gone, I told the housekeeper to prepare the third-floor suite. I moved in that afternoon.

A few days of peace passed. That weekend, Natalie, apparently recovered, invited me on a shopping trip. As we were about to get in the car to go home, she clutched her stomach, feigning a sudden pain. She told me to wait while she and the driver went to a nearby pharmacy.

The second she was out of sight, a couple of creeps materialized, rubbing their hands together as they closed in on me.
I almost laughed. You could have had a peaceful life, Natalie. Instead, you chose to play with fire.
Fine. Id let her feel the burn.