They stumbled out of the bar together, the cool night air doing little to sober them. Tracy's heels clicked unevenly on the pavement as she leaned against Dango for support.
"You're a mess," he said, half-laughing, half-slurring.
"Look who's talking," she shot back, shoving him playfully.
"Hey," he said, catching her hand. "You're not as tough as you pretend to be, you know."
She stilled, her chest tightening. "Shut up."
He leaned closer, his voice dropping. "Why? Did I hit a nerve, princess?"
Her lips parted to snap back, but his mouth was already on hers, hot and reckless. She didn't pull away.
The night blurred after that. A cab ride. A hotel room. A haze of anger and emptiness that neither of them tried to fill with words.
Tracy woke up to the sharp sting of sunlight through the hotel curtains and a pounding headache. She groaned, rolled over, and froze when she saw Dango sprawled beside her, snoring softly.
Her stomach turned. "No," she whispered.
She slipped out of bed as quietly as she could, grabbing her clothes and fumbling to get dressed.
"Leaving so soon?" Dango's voice was rough with sleep, but his smirk was fully intact.
Tracy glared at him, her cheeks burning. "Don't say a word."
He chuckled, propping himself up on one elbow. "Relax. I'm not about to shout it from the rooftops."
Her eyes narrowed. "If you tell anyone..."
"What?" he interrupted, his tone mocking. "You'll ruin me? Newsflash, Tracy: I'm already ruined."
She stormed out without another word, slamming the door behind her.
Tracy closed the front door behind her as quietly as possible, her heels dangling from her hand. The early morning sun filtered through the blinds, and the house was still. She tiptoed across the marble floor, her heart pounding.
If Dad finds out I didn't come home…
The thought sent a shiver down her spine. She crept up the stairs, entering her room without a sound. Locking the door behind her, she leaned against it, exhaling sharply.
The events of the previous night came rushing back. Dango's smirk, his touch, his mocking words.
"I'm such an idiot," she whispered, running her hands through her hair. But there was no undoing it now.
Meanwhile, at Caleb's house, The Harrison family's sprawling mansion was quiet, save for the sound of Mr. Harrison pacing the living room. Caleb sat on the couch, slouched and disinterested, scrolling through his phone.
"Are you even listening?" Mr. Harrison barked, his sharp tone breaking the silence.
Caleb sighed, locking his phone and setting it aside. "Yes, Dad. I'm listening. Something about Tracy. Go on."
"This is serious, Caleb," Mr. Harrison said, stopping to glare at his son. "The Harrisons and the Grants are two of the most powerful families in the country. An engagement between you and Tracy would cement that power for generations."
Caleb leaned back, rubbing his temples. "You mean it would make you happy? You don't care what I think."
"This isn't about happiness," his father snapped. "This is about legacy. Tracy is the perfect match for you, smart, ambitious, and well-connected. You couldn't ask for more."
Caleb laughed bitterly. "You mean she's a spoiled brat with a superiority complex."
"She's determined," Mr. Harrison corrected his tone firm. "And she's Raymond Grant's daughter. That name alone..."
"Stop," Caleb interrupted, standing abruptly. "Do you even hear yourself? You don't care about her as a person. She's just a name to you, a means to an end."
Mr. Harrison folded his arms, his expression unyielding. "Call it what you want, but this engagement is happening. I've already spoken to Raymond. The announcement will be made next month."
Caleb's jaw tightened, his frustration boiling over. "And what if I say no?"
"You won't," Mr. Hart said simply, his voice cold. '' You and Tracy are already in a relationship, we only need to seal it with a marriage certificate''
Caleb shook his head, grabbing his keys. "I'm not doing this. Not today Dad."
As he stormed out of the house, he couldn't help but think of Rosetta, the only person in his life who seemed real. Yes, she was a trash picker and he bullied her all the time but he just realized there was something authentic about her. She was focused, determined, and very straightforward.
The next morning, Rosetta sat in Jacob's car, her palms folded into fists as Jacob drove her to school. The car was a bit quieter than usual. Jacob felt a change in Rosetta but since she wasn't saying anything, he didn't feel like pressuring her to speak.
Getting to school, they both got out of the car...'' Rosetta are you okay, you seem a bit off'' Jacob held her palm tenderly as he hugged her
After contemplation, Rosetta felt she needed to talk to Jacob and let him know what had happened the previous day '' Jacob can we talk during cafeteria period? She shakily spoke
Sure, Rosetta, I will come to get you for lunch, and don't let anyone bully you, not Caleb and not Tracy.
He kissed her forehead as she nodded and both went to their separate lecture hall.
Later at lunchtime, inside the cafeteria buzzed with voices, the clinking of cutleries and plates filling the air. Rosetta sat in a quiet corner, absently pushing her food around her plate.
Her thoughts were miles away, mixed up with the events of the previous day.
Jacob walked in, scanning the room. His eyes immediately landed on her, and his brows furrowed. Rosetta hadn't even touched her juice, her usual focus and determination were replaced with an unusual stillness.
"Hey," Jacob said, sliding into the seat across from her. " I told you I would come to get you for lunch, are you still avoiding people seeing you with me? We are an item now so they will get used to it"
Rosetta looked up, startled. "Jacob... No true, it's far from it. I...I just have a lot on my mind"
"Don't even try to deny it," he interrupted gently, his tone playful but his eyes searching hers. "What's going on? You've been distant a bit, talk to me"
She shook her head, dropping her gaze to her untouched plate. "It's nothing."
Jacob frowned, leaning forward. "Rosetta, you're a terrible liar. And I'm pretty sure that's the same food you must have ordered since you got here, it is untouched he pointed at her plate. Talk to me."
Her hands tightened around her fork, her shoulders stiffening. "It's… complicated."
Jacob tilted his head, studying her. "I have all the time."
Rosetta sighed, setting her fork down and rubbing her temples. "It's not something you'll understand."
"Try me first."
She hesitated, her chest tightening. But when she looked into Jacob's earnest eyes, the words spilled out before she could stop them.
"Yesterday…" She swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "Grant told me I'm his daughter."
Jacob blinked, the words hanging in the air between them. "What? Did I hear you well"
Rosetta nodded, her hands trembling slightly. "Apparently, there was a mistake at the hospital. Tracy and I were switched at birth. I'm… I'm the one who was supposed to grow up as a Grant."
Jacob sat back, his expression unreadable as he processed her words. "Rosetta, that's… a lot and quite unbelievable he stuttered"
"A lot," she finished for him, her voice cracking. "It's too much for me to handle or even try to process."
"What did you say to him?" Jacob asked softly.
She shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "What could I say? I was too shocked to say anything. Initially, I received an anonymous $50 million credit alert on my phone, while trying to figure it all out, planning to call the bank, a call came through claiming to be Mr. Daniel, Grant's P.A. Who invited us to Grant's Estate. There I and Grandpa met Tracy and the rest is history. In between she stormed out with rage. He told me I belonged to this world of wealth and privilege, but I don't feel like I belong anywhere."
Jacob reached across the table, placing his hand over hers. "Rosetta, you're still you. Nothing changes that."
Her lips trembled as she pulled her hand away. "You don't get it. I've spent my whole life fighting to survive. Picking trash, scrubbing floors, just trying to get by. Even working in a hotel that turns out to be for my supposed Dad. And now, suddenly, I'm supposed to be this… this heiress?"
She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "I don't even know how to sit properly in a fancy chair, Jacob. How am I supposed to fit into that life?"
"You don't have to change who you are to fit," Jacob said firmly. "If they can't accept the real you, that's on them, not you."
Rosetta's voice softened, her eyes brimming with tears. " You make it seem so easy Jacob. But what about Tracy? She grew up in that world. It's her life. I don't… I don't want to take it from her."
Jacob sighed, leaning forward. "This isn't about taking anything from anyone, Rosetta. It's about finding out where you come from. Tracy's still going to be herself. Nothing will take away her memories or what she's been given."
Rosetta looked down, her voice barely audible. "She hates me. She thinks I've ruined her life. And maybe… maybe she's right."
"She's not," Jacob said quickly, his tone firm but gentle. "This isn't your fault. You didn't ask for any of this."
A tear slipped down Rosetta's cheek, and she wiped it away quickly. "I feel so lost, Jacob. I don't know what to do. I don't know who I am anymore."
Jacob hesitated, his heart aching at the sight of her pain. "You're Rosetta George. You're the girl who stood up to Tracy in the ballroom, who works harder than anyone I've ever met, who refuses to give up even when the odds are stacked against her. That hasn't changed, and it never will."
Her lips quirked into a faint smile, though her eyes still shone with unshed tears. "You make it sound so simple."
"It is," he said with a grin. "You're pretty incredible, Rosie."
She rolled her eyes, a small laugh escaping her. "I told you to stop calling me that. Only Grandpa calls me that"
"Never," Jacob replied, his tone teasing. At least one thing would change for sure he added.
''What's that? She asked
Jacob smiled and leaned closer'' You and I wouldn't pick trash up ever again.
Rosetta stared at him and smiled, remembering a few days ago Jacob had joined her to pick up used plastic bottles so she could sell them for recycling.
Just at that same time inside the same cafeteria where Rosetta and Jacob sat eating and talking, other students chatting and laughing over trays of food. Tracy sat across from Caleb, who was scrolling through his phone with a bored expression. Thinking of what his father had told him about the engagement.
Tracy also stirred her iced coffee absently, her mind elsewhere.
"Are you going to tell me what's going on, or do I have to guess? Because forcing it out of you won't be possible" Caleb asked, setting his phone down.
Tracy's eyes snapped up to meet his. "What are you talking about?"
"You've been weird all morning," he said, raising an eyebrow. "More than usual. Did you and your dad have another fight?"
Tracy hesitated, then shook her head. "No."
"Then what's got you so quiet? That's not like you."
Before she could respond, Caleb's gaze drifted past her, and his expression darkened. "Of course."
"What?" Tracy turned to follow his gaze, her jaw tightening when she saw Jacob and Rosetta sitting together at a nearby table.
Jacob was laughing at something Rosetta had said, his hand resting casually on the edge of the table, close to hers. Rosetta smiled shyly, her cheeks tinged pink.
"Unbelievable," Caleb muttered, leaning back in his chair.
"Why do you even care?" Tracy snapped, turning back to him.
Caleb looked at her, his jaw clenching. "Because he's supposed to be better than this. Chasing after someone like her… a trash picker" Caleb was filled with jealousy in his heart but kept pretending to dislike Rosetta.
Tracy's eyes narrowed. "Someone like her?"
"You know what I mean," Caleb said, waving a hand dismissively. "She doesn't belong with people like us."
Tracy let out a bitter laugh. "That's rich, coming from you."
Caleb frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Tracy leaned forward, her voice dropping. "You really don't know, do you?"
"Know what?" Caleb asked, his patience wearing thin.
Tracy smirked, savoring the moment. "Rosetta isn't just some nobody. She's Grant's biological daughter."
Caleb froze, his brow furrowing. "What?"
"You heard me," Tracy said, her tone biting. "We were switched at birth. Rosetta is the real Grant, not me. Take a good look at her she is the spitting image of my late mother. Now I understand why I felt so familiar with her the first time I saw her in class"
Caleb stared at her, the words sinking in slowly. "That's impossible."
"Oh, it's very possible," Tracy said, her smirk fading into a scowl. "Dad dropped that little bombshell on me yesterday. Turns out, my entire life was built on a mistake. And now, that trash picker is his precious daughter. I mean the heiress"
Caleb's face darkened, his fists clenching on the table. "You're kidding right?"
"I wish I was," Tracy said, her voice bitter. "But it's true. That's why she's suddenly so important to him. Why she's everywhere."
Caleb looked past her again, his gaze landing on Rosetta. "So, she's… legitimate?"
"Legitimate," Tracy spat. "And I'm just the mistake."
Caleb leaned back in his chair, his expression hardening. "Does anyone else know?"
"Not yet," Tracy said, sipping her coffee. "But it's only a matter of time before Dad makes it official. Why? Worried it'll ruin your little engagement plans?"
Caleb's head snapped toward her, his eyes narrowing. "How do you..."
"Please," Tracy interrupted, rolling her eyes. "Everyone knows your dad's been scheming to marry me off to you. It's pathetic, really. True we are dating but you and I know we don't love each other that much right"
Caleb exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "This changes everything."
"Yeah, no kidding," Tracy said, setting her cup down. ''However, Dad may not agree he can't give you both daughters after all he knows you and I have been intimate several times.