At my mom's funeral, my dad brought his illegitimate daughter home and told me to call her sister.

The photo of Theodore Pearson, the best actor, and her in the bathtub also hit the headlines.

Theodore announced their relationship publicly right away.

At the party, she showed up with Theodore, flashing a million-dollar matching ring and flaunting, "Layla, Dad is mine, your boyfriend is mine, and so is your title as the eldest daughter of the Campbell family."

Theodore remained indifferent. "I've had a crush on Vivian for ten years. Layla, I was never into you. Let's break up."

I burst into laughter.

Who did he think he was to break up with me?

***

After I threw her out, Vivian Campbell refused to give up and barged into my mother's mourning hall.

She stood before me, dressed in mourning attire, feigning grace. "Layla, I know you're heartbroken, but it's been forty-nine days since your mom passed. You should move on. Come outside. I'd like to talk."

Too bad I saw right through her act.

This was the same illegitimate daughter for whom George Campbell had thrown a grand recognition party on my mom's funeral day.

The funny part was that Vivian was a year older than me.

Just as I stood up, the butler rushed in, blocking her path and bowing apologetically. "Ms. Campbell, she doesn't get the rules. I'll take her out right now."

I didn't want my mother's spirit to be disturbed, stepped out of the mourning hall.

Vivian shook off the butler and followed me closely.

I walked to the edge of the pool, stood on the step, and looked down at her. "Go ahead."

Vivian gripped her clothes nervously and then stepped up to meet my gaze.

"Layla, Dad only ever loved my mom. He married yours out of obligation. Now that she's gone and I'm back, I should be the eldest daughter of the Campbell family—I'm older than you, after all. You've held that title for twenty-two years. Isn't that enough? Tell the butler and servants to start calling me Ms. Campbell. Don't make trouble, Okay?"

I laughed.

Did she not know that George had married into my family?

Did she really think she could take my place? She didn't even bother to check that even George himself couldn't deal with me.

Realizing how weak she actually was, I felt nothing but bored.

Without another word, I shoved her straight into the pool.

With a loud splash, Vivian plunged into the water, flailing and screaming. "Layla, how could you do this to me? Dad will never let you go! Help me out... Please... I'll forgive you!"

I walked away without even looking back.

After my mom's funeral, it was time to start a new life.

I thought of Theodore, the best actor I had single-handedly turned into a star.

When I was ten, my mom took me to an orphanage to sponsor underprivileged kids. I picked ten little boys, every one of them as beautiful as dolls.

Theodore was one of them.

Two years ago, his audition video of Young Alexander the Great went viral. I liked his look, so I made my move and poured money into turning him into my personal plaything.

Lately, I hadn't had the time to pay him much attention.

I wondered if he had been behaving.

On my way to visit him on set, I received a call from George.

"Layla, are you trying to kill your sister? Cut it out."

"I don't have a sister," I sneered. "And I wouldn't mind not having a father either."

George lost his temper. "You ungrateful girl!"

I ended the call without another word.

At my mom's funeral, George showed up with his illegitimate daughter. His intentions were obvious.

I had let them be because I wanted my mother to rest in peace.

Clearly, I had been too merciful.

I pulled over, made an international call, then restarted the car and headed to Theodore's place.

When I arrived, I learned the shoot had wrapped and that tonight was the cast's wrap party.

Theodore was a pretty good toy. He was hot, talented, and had plenty of ways to make me happy.

I was a bit hesitant to cut ties, so I pulled out my phone and confirmed that he hadn't contacted me once in the past forty-nine days.

A smirk curled at my lips.

Interesting.

At seven that night, I walked into the lively wrap party.

I saw Vivian all dressed up.

She wore an Elie Saab dress, Christian Louboutin shoes, and the newest Chaumet Josephine jewelry.

There was no sign of the awkwardness when I had pushed her into the pool in the morning.

Theodore was on his knees, taking off her shoes and gently rubbing her slightly red ankle.

Vivian lowered her head, blushing.

They were totally into each other.

The two staff members in front of me were chatting.

"I always thought Mr. Pearson was distant and not into girls, but he's so sweet to his girlfriend!"

"You have no idea, right? She is Ms. Campbell. Look at her couture. Do you think they are pricey? But she might just wear these once and throw them away."

"But Mr. Pearson doesn't seem like a gold digger."

"Come on. Ms. Campbell is so pretty and talented. They must really be into each other!"

***

As I walked by, one of the staff members stopped me.

"This is a private wrap party for Stunner. You're not an actor or a staff member. How did you get in?"

I looked at Theodore. "I'm here for him."

Another staff member immediately scoffed, "Are you Mr. Pearson's crazy fan or something? Get lost. You're not wanted here."

"Theodore," I shouted his name through the crowd.

A deathly hush fell over the room.

Theodore quickly dropped Vivian's foot and stared at me in shock.

Vivian was furious. She swiftly slipped on her shoes, grabbed Theodore's arm, and yanked him over to me.

Theodore, who used to serve me, couldn't even meet my gaze.

Vivian flashed her engagement ring, bragging, "Layla, Dad is mine. Your boyfriend is mine, and your spot in the Campbell family is mine too.

"I forgot to tell you. Theodore and I have been together for years. In a few days, I'll take him home to meet Dad, and we'll tie the knot."

I putonaself-mockingsmile.

Theodore made it big with his audition for Young Alexander the Great. I had pushed his career for ages and he used my connections to climb the social ladder, but he never popped the question.

Even when I proposed to him, he asked me to wait, promising he would do it once he became a big international star, with a worldwide announcement.

I actually bought that lame excuse.

Vivian leaned over, whispering, "Layla, this is just the start. I'll make sure everyone knows I'm the real daughter of the Campbell family, and you're not even fit to carry my shoes."

I ripped her dress abruptly.

She screamed, clutching her chest. "Layla, why did you rip my dress? It's the latest design. It's priceless!"

I replied with a smirk, "This is my dress sent by the brand. So what if I ripped it?"

She was afraid that I would expose her for stealing my dress and jewels, so she faked innocence, tears welling up. "Layla, you pushed me into the pool today. Now you're ruining my dress at this event. We're sisters, not enemies..."

Her tears seemed genuine.

I wasn't falling for it, but Theodore felt sorry for her.

He took off his jacket and put it around Vivian's shoulders, giving me a disapproving look. "Layla, do you really have to be so harsh on Vivian?"

I raised my eyebrow with a smile. "I'm just getting my stuff back from a mistress. Why do you say that I am forcing her out?

"When I was busy with my mom's funeral and didn't have time to keep you company, you found a gold digger for your amusement, right?"

Theodore said earnestly, "Vivian is neither a mistress nor a gold digger. She is definitely not a plaything for my amusement. She is the girl I have had a crush on for ten years and the girlfriend I've dated for three years."

I forced a smile. "What about me?"

He hesitated.

Vivian quickly grabbed his hand.

He squeezed it back, looking up at me. "You're just a mistake I made, Layla. Let's just end this."

I said word by word, "You're calling me a mistake?"

For his sake, I never pushed him to go public with our relationship.

But it was an open secret in Washington's high society that I had spent a fortune and used my connections on such a plaything to make him a star.

Many rich kids said I was the one being used.

Now, he actually had the audacity to say I was a mistake he made!

The wrap party was super awkward, with everyone staring at, Vivian, and Theodore.

Maybe Theodore was trying to keep his dignity or he really wanted to get rid of me to marry Vivian. He spoke up, "Layla, I'm thankful for the help you gave me twelve years ago, and I appreciate all the money you've put into my career. I'll pay you back every penny and favor.

"But I can't give myself to you.

"I'm in love with Vivian, and I want to marry her. Stop pestering me, and do not target Vivian. Please let us go."

He seemed to have forgotten that he wouldn't have made it this far without me.

He didn't realize that even if he was the best actor, he would lose everything if he crossed me.

Thinking about what was to come, I couldn't help but laugh.

I murmured, "Fine."

Hearing that, Vivian glanced up at me in shock.

Theodore had a complicated look on his face. He seemed to doubt I would get over him so soon.

In fact, I would.

He was merely a plaything to me.