The Armless Heiress They Threw Away

My first day back with the Fox family.

Marlene Abbott, the fake heiress, held out a bouquet to me. I kept my hands in my pockets and didn't move.

"Mom, I knew Sharon wouldn't like me. See? I called it. She hates that I took her place, so she's giving me the cold shoulder on purpose."

Mrs. Abbott looked faintly embarrassed.

"Sharon, honey, just take them. It's Marlene's way of showing she cares."

"In this house, Marlene is my daughter just as much as you are. She speaks her mind, so go easy on her."

Mr. Abbott let out a cold snort, displeasure in his tone.

"What is this? No basic manners at all? Is reaching out to take a bouquet really so hard for you?"

I looked at the bouquet, nearly waist-high, and nodded.

For someone with both arms amputated, reaching out really was a bit hard.

1

The year I turned ten, an earthquake came out of nowhere and brought the orphanage down.

I was lucky. I lived. I just left both hands behind, buried forever in the rubble.

Director Swanson knew I was going back today to be claimed by my birth family. Before we left, she found two mannequin arms somewhere and sewed them into my coat.

"I hear the Fox family is old money. Empty sleeves flapping around would only make people laugh. Look, tuck the hands into your pockets like this. So sharp. Nobody can tell what's real and what isn't."

Remembering the proud little look on Director Swanson's face, I couldn't keep the corner of my mouth from lifting.

"Sharon, Dad's talking to you. Why are you sneaking a smile? Mom says that's very rude."

The words pulled me back. I looked down at my hands. The director hadn't lied to me. You really couldn't tell.

"Actually, my hands…"

I opened my mouth to explain, but Marlene cut me off.

"Dad, don't blame her. Sharon's spent all these years in an orphanage. It makes sense she wasn't raised with manners."

"We've got plenty of time ahead of us. With you and Mom guiding her, I'm sure she'll get better."

Mrs. Abbott pulled Marlene close and fondly tapped the tip of her nose.

"You little brat, always so quick with your mouth!"

I watched them. So this was what a child cherished by her mother looked like.

"All right! Your mother and I have some business to handle at the office!"

"Gerald Abbott will take you to your room later."

And with that, they were gone.

The butler came over, his tone thoroughly impatient.

"Ms. Swanson, Mr. Abbott wants you in the guest room on the second floor."

"Also, I'll need you to register your fingerprint at the door. I'm very busy. I can't come out and open it for you every single time."

I shook my head and gave a polite smile.

"Thank you, but there's no need. I don't think I'll be using it."

Marlene scoffed.

"Ugh! I don't know what act you're putting on!"

"You really think pulling this stuff is going to make Mom and Dad feel sorry for you? I'm warning you, I got to this family first. You'd better learn your place."

"Gerald, if she won't take the offer, then don't bother with her. When she can't get in, she'll have earned it."

"Of course, Miss!"

I said nothing back to Marlene and the butler's sneering. The fingerprint lock really was convenient. I just genuinely had no use for it.

...

By the time Mr. and Mrs. Abbott got home, dinner was already on the table.

Looking at the spread of dishes, I slipped my shoes off under the table with practiced ease, getting ready to eat the way I always did.

Just then, my father suddenly looked over.

"Today's your first day back with the Fox family, so there are some rules I need to lay out."

"We're not an ordinary family. Manners and propriety, at home or out in the world, we always carry ourselves with dignity and grace. We never do anything shameful or disgraceful."

"Because it's not only your own face you'd be losing. It's the Fox family's. Do you understand?"

"What happened this afternoon, I don't want to see anything like it a second time."

I froze for a few seconds, then quietly slipped my shoes back on.

"The child just got here. The rules can be taught slowly. It's dinnertime. Why be so stern about it?"

"Sharon, you were at the orphanage all this time. You never got to eat anything good. You're home now, so eat plenty."

Mrs. Abbott picked up a piece of meat and set it in my bowl. I said thank you.

I hadn't eaten a thing since leaving the house this morning, and my stomach had long since been growling.

But thinking of the rules my father had just laid down, I hesitated, then lowered my head in silence.

The first bite was the meat. It was savory, but not as good as the director's cooking.

Once the meat was gone, there was nothing else within reach, so I gnawed at the plain rice, mouthful by mouthful.

"Huh, Sharon, why aren't you eating with your hands? Like a dog. So gross."

Marlene's voice rang out loud, and every eye in the room swung to me.

The temperature in the room dropped several degrees in an instant.

I lifted my head, grains of rice stuck around my mouth.

Mrs. Abbott frowned, confusion in her eyes.

Mr. Abbott's face went dark, the pressure rolling off him.

"Sharon Swanson, what game are you playing? Is this how they taught you to eat at that orphanage?"