The Lost Heiress: Never Forgiven (Sierra Xander) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1 : Bloodline

"Prisoner 00061, take your things. Someone’s waiting for you outside. Sign the papers, and you’re free to leave. As a parolee, you’ll be under a three-month supervision period. If you break any laws during this time, you’ll be sent straight back."

So I can finally leave?

For the first time in a long while, a ripple of emotion surfaced in Sierra Xander’s otherwise lifeless eyes.

Clang.

The iron door slowly shut behind her, leaving a frail, slender figure standing alone.

The scorching summer sun blazed down, its intensity almost unbearable. Any normal person would shy away from the heat, but Sierra tilted her head back, letting the sunlight wash over her face. She hadn’t felt the warmth of the sun in so long.

The golden light highlighted her pale, delicate features, making her seem even smaller, almost fragile. Her long, curled lashes trembled slightly, like a startled butterfly.

Soon, fine beads of sweat formed on her skin. The heat was suffocating, but it made everything feel real.

She was finally out.

Not far away, a sleek black Maybach was parked in the shade.

The window rolled down, revealing a cold face filled with impatience.

"Sierra."

Sierra lowered her head and finally noticed the car and the man inside—her eldest brother, Bradley Xander.

She hadn't expected him to come.

Oh, right. He was her assigned supervisor. He had to be here.

She had wasted his time. He was probably pissed.

As soon as she got in the car, Sierra spoke before Bradley had the chance. "Sorry for keeping you waiting."

She wasn’t about to get sent back again. Her supervisor had the power to return her at any time, and she needed to make it through these three months without any trouble. Apologizing? She was used to it.

Bradley had been ready to throw out a sarcastic remark, but her words caught him off guard. He hesitated for a moment before his face darkened. "You don’t have to apologize. You’re my sister—picking you up is the least I can do."

"Thanks," Sierra replied politely.

His words sounded nice, but she didn’t believe them.

When she was first brought back to that house, she had thought they genuinely welcomed her.

Later, she realized that no one in that house wanted her—not even her own mother.

She was their real daughter, yet everyone preferred the child that had been switched at birth.

Her mother told her, "Denny has been with us since she was a baby. It’s hard for us to adjust right away, but it’ll get better. You’re our real daughter. As long as you behave and stay obedient, why wouldn’t we love you?"

So Sierra did what she was told. She was well-behaved, careful, and tried her best to fit into the family.

But when she got first place in school, there were no words of praise—only criticism.

"Don’t mention your grades in front of Denny. Are you trying to show off?"

"Denny isn’t worse than you. She just has health issues."

"You’re hurting her feelings."

She stopped talking about her achievements. Getting first place lost all meaning because no one would be happy for her.

Back then, she still thought she had to be the bigger person.

She was the older sister. She had to give in to her younger sister.

Her parents and brothers just needed more time to accept her. If she was patient, if she behaved, they would treat her like they treated Denny.

But in the end, all her waiting led to was Denise Xander driving without a license, causing an accident that killed someone, and forcing Sierra to take the fall.

"Denny isn’t well, and she doesn’t have a license. She’ll get a heavy sentence. You’re the only one who can help her."

Sierra refused, but Bradley brought up her grandmother. "You know your adoptive family’s situation. Your grandmother is still in the hospital. Her treatment is expensive, and they can’t afford it."

Bradley continued, "If you agree, I’ll get the best doctors for your grandmother. I’ll hire the best lawyers for you. You won’t be in any real trouble—at worst, it’s just a few months in prison."

Bradley tried to persuade her further. "I would never let anything happen to you. You’re my real sister. Trust me."

She had still held onto hope back then.

She had waited.

And waited.

She spent three years waiting for someone to take her home.

Happy?

No, you’re not my brother. I don’t have a brother. I don’t have a family.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify