Call Me Fake Heiress? Now I Bought My Ex's Company

Mirena Sterling had always dreamed of the spotlight-of loving and being loved in return.

But she never imagined the universe would grant that dream in such a cruel way.

Now, standing at the center of what should have been her birthday celebration, Mirena felt the world tilt. Reporters swarmed, thrusting microphones and recorders toward her from every direction.

"Mrs. Ashton, is it true you're not the Sterlings' real daughter?"

"Did you steal Camille Sterling's life all these years?"

"Did you deceive George Ashton into marrying you by pretending to be the Sterling heiress?"

Questions hammered at her from all sides. Mirena parted her lips, but the words stuck in her throat, choked by confusion and disbelief.

Not their real daughter? Stolen someone else's life?

Her mind spun. With trembling fingers, she reached for her phone, tucked into the small of her back. She had to know what was happening-had to hear the truth from her parents.

But as she pressed the phone to her ear, her composure shattered.

"The number you have dialed is not available at this time."

The automated voice echoed like a death knell.

Not available?

Her heart hammered. Frantic, she dialed her husband's number.

One ring-then straight to voicemail.

A cold knot tightened in her throat. She stared at the screen, disbelief washing over her.

This couldn't be happening. Not her parents. Not George.

They had planned this birthday together. Just this morning, George had promised-finally-to celebrate with her publicly, for the first time since they'd married. There was no way he would.

A burst of static cut through the noise. Mirena turned as the grand screen at the front of the hall flickered to life, flashing to a news broadcast.

Her breath caught.

There they were-her parents-smiling warmly beside the young woman who had appeared at their doorstep just a week earlier.

Camille.

Her father's voice filled the now-silent hall, crisp and clear.

"Today, after years of searching, Griselda and I are overjoyed to announce that we have finally found our true daughter-Camille Sterling!" He beamed, interlacing his fingers with Camille's and raising their joined hands high.

Mirena's vision sharpened. A bitter taste rose in her throat.

Their true daughter?

Then what did that make her?

Years ago, they had come to the orphanage where she lived and claimed her as their own. Now, they stood on live television, declaring a stranger who had appeared out of nowhere just a week ago as their real child-while she was nothing but an impostor?

How?

Her heart pounded wildly. She tried her parents' number again. When it went unanswered, something inside her cracked.

Clenching her jaw, she held what was left of her composure together and pushed through the crowd. Ignoring the reporters, the flashing cameras, and the mocking stares burning into her back, she flagged a taxi and rushed to the news station.

Less than twenty minutes later, the cab pulled up. Mirena hurried inside.

She spotted her parents at once. But just as she opened