Chapter 1
Chapter 1
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Rain poured down on Riverstone all day, turning the ground into a soggy iness. Jewel Moreno’s belongings lay scattered across the front steps, tossed out by her adoptive mother, Lorelel Moreno.
“Get out of here!” Lorelei yelled, glaring at Jewel. “We’ve given you the best of everything, and this is how you repay us You’re not even our biological child, yet we’ve treated you like our own. How could you do this to Samantha?”
Lorelei’s rant continued, “Tristan broke up with you and got together with Samantha ages ago. And out of jealousy, you pushed her into the water. Don’t you have any conscience?”
With a flourish. Lorelei pulled out a bank card and tossed it at Jewel’s feet. “If it weren’t for Samantha pleading on your behalf, I wouldn’t let you off so easily. There’s three thousand dollars on there. Consider it compensation.”
Jewel’s face remained impassive throughout the outburst. Without even glancing at the card, she reached into her backpack and pulled out another, tossing it back to Lorelei. There’s 350 thousand dollars on this one. Consider it my thanks for raising me all these years.”
Lorelei stared at Jewel in annoyance. The sum was more than the entire Moreno family could earn in a year, yet Jewel acted as if she could hand it over without a second thought. Lorelei doubted how Jewel could casually produce such an astronomical amount.
Without another word, Jewel slung her bag over her shoulder and walked away. Her back was straight as an arrow, projecting unwavering dignity, while her rain–soaked hair betrayed her pitiable state.
Samantha Moreno watched the scene unfold from the rooftop, a sly smile spreading across her face. Jewel, you’ve had it easy for over twenty years; she thought to herself. It’s time for that to come to an end.
Jewel hadn’t gone far when her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and answered, recognizing the familiar voice.
Jewel, is it true the Moreno family kicked you out?” the caller asked.
Jewel’s tone
was flat as she confirmed with a simple “Mm.”
The caller’s voice grew agitated. “This is outrageous! I saw the video of what happened before Samantha fell into the water. She clearly tripped on her own. If you hadn’t jumped in to save her, she would’ve drowned”
After a pause, the voice continued, even more heated. “The Moreno family is a bunch of ungrateful wolves. As soon as their biological daughter shows up, they toss you out like trash. If we’d known it would come to this, you should never have bailed out their company.
Jewel let out a soft chuckle, her composure a stark contrast to the caller’s agitation. “Listen to you, getting all worked up, Anyone would think you were the one who got kicked out.”
“I’m just angry on your behalf the caller insisted.
“Alright, alright,” Jewel said. “Just come pick me up, will you? I’ve been trying to hail a cab forever, and I’m about to turn into a drowned rat-”
Her words were cut short as a blinding light suddenly shot towards her. She instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes. The screech of brakes pierced the air, but on the rain–slicked roads, it was futile. The car slammed into her before she could
react.
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The impact sent Jewel flying into a nearby flowerbed, her head cracking against a rock. She struggled to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her, and she lost consciousness.
As she fell back, the necklace around her neck slipped into view
The driver scrambled out of the car and rushed to check on the victim. Panic was evident in his voice as he reported back to his passenger. “Mr. Snider, I think she’s passed out.”
Calvert Snider, the man in the back seat, gazed down at the unconscious woman, his expression unreadable. He issued a single command. “Take her to the hospital”
As Jewel was lifted into the car, Calvert’s eyes were drawn to the necklace around her neck. His brow furrowed as he leaned closer to examine it. In the dim light of the car’s interior, he could make out the shape of a moon pendant.
With sudden urgency, he pulled out his phone, scrolling through his gallery until he found a particular photo. The sun pendant in the image was a perfect match for the moon around jewel’s neck.
The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. This woman was his childhood betrothed–the long–lost girl of the Turner family.
When Jewel came to, she found herself surrounded by a chorus of unfamiliar voices. As her vision cleared, she locked eyes with a silver–haired elderly man. Behind him stood four strikingly handsome young men.
The old man’s eyes welled up as he spoke. “My dear, you’re awake
Jewel’s brow furrowed in confusion. “I’m sorry, but who are you?” she asked, trying to make sense of the scene.
Franklin Turner’s voice quavered with emotion as he explained, “My dear, I’m your grandpa. These three are your brothers -Lachlan, Caspian, and Jackson Turner. And this fine young man is your fiancé, Calvert.”
He paused, his voice thick with regret. “It’s all my fault. If I had kept a closer eye on you back then, you would never have been taken from us
Jewel’s confusion deepened. One minute she was getting kicked out of the Moreno family, and the next she had at grandfather, three brothers, and even a fiancé. This had to be some kind of wild dream.
Sensing Jewel’s bewilderment, Lachlan stepped forward, gesturing to the necklace around her neck. “You see that necklace? It’s the Turner family’s heirloom – the Sun and Moon set. Grandpa placed it around your neck himself the day you were born.”
–
Jewel’s hand instinctively went to the necklace. Her father or rather, the man she had believed to be her father – had given it to her on her eighteenth birthday, claiming he had bought it back at great expense from an auction.
Lachlan continued, his voice laced with guilt. “It’s our fault – we were too busy fooling around back then and didn’t watch over you properly. That was how those lowlifes managed to snatch you away.”
“Hold on,” Jewel interrupted, trying to process this flood of information. She looked at each of them skeptically. “Isn’t it a stretch to claim I’m family based on just a necklace?”
our eyes are the spitting image of your mother’s
Franklin’s eyes
softened as he gazed at her. “There’s no doubt in my mind. Your eyes I’d stake my life on it – you’re my granddaughter, through and through.”
Before Jewel could object, a deep, cool voice cut through the air. There’s no need for speculation. I’ve already sent a sample
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of your hair for DNA testing. We’ll have concrete proof soon.”
Jewel turned to face the speaker – Calvert, her alleged fiance. His piercing eyes and chiseled features were undeniably handsome, but his demeanor was ice–cold, warning others to keep their distance.
Despite herself, Jewel’s gaze lingered on his face a moment too long. She had always been a sucker for a pretty face.
Calvert’s eyes swept over her, and he suddenly raised his hand to button up the top of his shirt. Jewel blinked in surprise. wondering what had prompted that reaction.
Franklin, noticing the subtle interaction, cleared his throat and addressed the three Turner brothers. “It’s getting late, boys Why don’t you help me back to my room?“”
“But Grandpa, I can stay and look after–Lachlan began, but seeing his grandfather’s meaningful look, he quickly caught
Jewel was at a loss for words, completely unimpressed by their terrible acting.
“Calvert,” Lachlan said, “we’ll take Grandpa back. Mind looking after our sister for us? Thanks, man”
Jewel opened her mouth to protest, but to her surprise, Calvert nodded.
Once the door clicked shut behind the others, Calvert turned to face Jewel. His eyes bore into her with an intensity that made her breath catch.
“Now that everyone else is gone,” he said, his voice low and serious, “we need to discuss breaking off our engagement.”
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