Escape from the Crown
Chapter 1
My dad adored my mom, but Mom died because of me.
Later, Dad adopted another daughter.
His adopted daughter looked just like my mom.
On our sixteenth birthdays—
He treated his adopted daughter like a princess, while I was mistaken for the maid’s daughter by his guests.
Then, my phone rang.
“Honey, happy birthday!
Long time no see, Mommy misses you so much!”
Me: !
Mom was back.
1
While沈伊’s guest ordered me to wash her car, my dad, Mr. Shen, came home.
His assistant carried a ridiculously expensive crystal castle, gifting it to 沈伊.
Immediately, 沈伊’s classmates gasped.
They were envious.
Then, I heard my dad’s voice, full of affection and love:
“This castle is for my princess.
Happy birthday, my one and only princess.”
The only princess.
I savored those words, my heart growing heavier.
Today wasn’t just 沈伊’s birthday.
It was mine too.
But.
Like every other year, I got nothing.
In my dad’s eyes, I was a sinner, undeserving of a birthday.
Because I killed Mom.
2
Ten years ago today, Mom was in a car accident while buying the strawberry cake I wanted.
She left us forever.
From then on, Dad hated me.
At the funeral, he declared to everyone, “Yu is no longer my daughter.”
I crouched on the ground, blinking back tears, looking at him with confusion and helplessness.
I was too young then to understand his cruelty.
Later, I realized how decisive that statement was.
Then.
His company went public, and his net worth skyrocketed.
After becoming a wealthy businessman, he adopted 沈伊.
From then on—
He only loved 沈伊.
沈伊 lived in the master bedroom of our mansion, while I lived in the maid’s room.
沈伊 had a chauffeured car to school.
I took the bus.
沈伊’s closet overflowed with new clothes.
I wore her hand-me-downs.
沈伊 was a princess.
I was a live-in servant.
Yeah.
A parentless servant.
3
But I wanted to be a princess too.
I remembered my dad’s promise.
Back then, Mom was alive, Dad’s company was just starting, and we lived in a cramped two-bedroom apartment.
Mom supported him, secretly depositing my grandpa’s gift money into his account.
“Yu and I don’t spend much.
Don’t worry,”
Mom always reassured him.
And I’d mimic her.
“Dad, don’t worry.
Yu’s… everything is Dad’s…”
Before I finished, Dad couldn’t hold back, pressing his face between ours.
Warm liquid dripped onto my cheek.
It tickled.
Now I realize, those were Dad’s tears.
Before I turned ten, he always told me:
“When Dad succeeds and makes a lot of money, I’ll make you a princess, okay?”
…
See?
He promised.
But he broke his word.
Then—
I heard a snide, polite voice: “Maid, why haven’t you washed my car yet? Do you think I’m not important just because I’m just a classmate of 沈伊’s?”
沈伊 went to an international school.
Her classmates were all rich kids, naturally superior.
But.
I wasn’t a maid.
I glared at her, about to speak.
The next second.
My dad’s voice, calm and flat, asked me: “Why haven’t you gone?”
Why haven’t I gone?
Hearing that, my heart felt like it had been hit by a sledgehammer.
How could I forget? In Dad’s eyes, I was just the maid.
“Right away.”
4
Dad had said he’d cut off my tuition and living expenses if he was unhappy.
But.
I promised Mom I’d get into the best university.
I couldn’t break my promise to Mom.
So.
As long as Dad kept supporting me, I could endure anything.
I pressed my lips together and turned.
The next moment.
I heard a soft voice behind me:
“Dad, why don’t we let Yu blow out the candles too?
It’s her birthday too.
She’s been looking forward to it, she even secretly tried on my dress yesterday…”
I frowned.
I turned to say I hadn’t, but waves of scorn washed over me:
“Whoa, a maid daring to steal the owner’s dress?
Xiaoyi, did you get this dress disinfected?”
“Unbelievable.”
“She’s a thief.”
5
Hearing those words, I almost ran over and shoved 沈伊’s face into the cake.
Let her die.
I admit it.
Last night.
When she showed off her new dress, I was envious.
But only envious.
I never stole anything…
I’m not a thief.
My eyes burned with anger, but I didn’t dare move.
Because.
Dad seemed to sense what I was about to do and stepped in front of 沈伊.
His face was dark, he looked at me.
Contempt.
Hate.
Indifference.
“How could you have such a daughter?
Apologize.
Or you can drop out of school tomorrow.”
He was threatening me again.
Hah.
“How could you have such a husband?”
The moment I said that, Dad’s face turned black.
I had never seen him so terrifying.
6
“Slap——”
A loud slap echoed through the living room.
Dad had ignored me for years, this was the first time he hit me.
In a moment, my right cheek swelled.
I was angry and hurt.
But.
What could I do?
I was only sixteen.
I only had a nominal father.
This father.
Ignored me.
Hated me.
Threatened me.
Hit me.
He didn’t love me, not at all.
At this time.
沈伊, seemingly confused, looked like she’d done something wrong, she quickly tried to mediate:
“Dad, girls like pretty dresses, that’s normal, I didn’t mean it that way.”
What did she mean then?
Whatever.
I’d already been slapped.
It didn’t matter anymore.
So.
“Slap slap slap——”
I slapped 沈伊 three times, “This is for falsely accusing me.”
7
After I hit her, 沈伊 looked like a wilting white lotus.
“Yu!”
Seeing 沈伊’s distressed state, Dad looked heartbroken.
He helped 沈伊 up.
He comforted her softly:
“Does it hurt?
I’ll get you a doctor right away.”
沈伊 covered her face, tears streaming down,
“It’s okay, Dad, don’t blame Yu.
Please—
Don’t hit Yu again.”
After she finished.
Her classmates, recovering from their shock, scolded her for being too “kind.”
They urged Dad to expel me.
Haha.
Expel.
I found it ironic and pathetic.
Looking up, for the first time meeting Dad’s eyes, I saw the coldness in his eyes.
His voice was cold, devoid of emotion.
“Yu.
I’ll send you to an orphanage.
From today, don’t ever come back here.”
Orphanage.
I was fine with that.
I was already an orphan.
Besides.
I could continue studying at the orphanage.
It was better than staying with Dad.
… Soon.
Dad’s assistant asked me to leave.
I turned and walked away, confidently.
Without any regrets.
However.
A few steps away.
My phone rang.
I didn’t want to answer.
But the vibration, beat by beat, felt like it was pounding on my heart.
Finally, I couldn’t help but take out my phone.
I glanced at the caller ID.
Instantly.
I froze.
I couldn’t believe it.
I blinked hard.
“Mom——”
“It’s Mom!”
I stopped in my tracks.
The assistant urged me, “Hurry up, Mr. Shen doesn’t want to see you anymore…”
I ignored him, trembling as I answered.
Though I knew it was impossible.
Mom was dead.
Ten years.
This number hadn’t rung since.
Was it a prank?
But still.
Mom was dead.
I answered.
I didn’t dare speak.
My mouth hung open, not knowing what to do.
The other side spoke first.
A familiar voice—
“Baby! Happy birthday!
Long time no see!
Mommy misses you so much!”
Her voice, amplified by the phone’s speaker, filled Mr. Shen’s living room.
8
Mom’s voice was exactly the same as in my memory.
Not a bit changed.
Like a glass of warm water.
Warm, soft.
“Mom——”
I started crying.
It was really you?
Mom?
So, was this call from heaven?
My fingers trembled as I held my phone tightly.
It was my most precious thing right now.
The next second.
My phone was snatched away by Mr. Shen.
“Give it back!”
I gritted my teeth in anger.
Didn’t I even have the right to talk to my mom?
This was a call from Mom!
Not him!
I reached for it, but Mr. Shen was too tall.
He glanced at me, and asked the maid to pull me away.
Our eyes met, I saw his eyes redden.
But when he spoke, he remained calm.
“Who are you? Why are you impersonating my wife?”
Me:…
He was deaf.
He couldn’t recognize Mom’s voice?
My intuition and hearing told me it was Mom.
Sure enough, soon, a voice came from the phone: “I’m Zhen, your wife! Shen Mo, didn’t you say that even if I turned into a gust of wind, you would recognize me? What’s going on? You can’t even recognize my voice? Have you forgotten me? Fine, give me back my daughter, let’s get a divorce!”
It had been a long time since anyone spoke to Mr. Shen like that.
Mr. Shen’s assistants were all trembling, afraid he’d get angry.
Unexpectedly, Mr. Shen’s expression softened.
His voice was almost choked.
“Zhen.
It’s really you.
Where are you? I’ll come right away.”
He seemed overjoyed, a middle-aged man behaving like a boy.
“And, don’t talk about divorce! I can’t divorce you!”
Zhen was speechless:
“Remember to bring our daughter, our Yu must be even prettier.”
9
Hearing that I could see Mom.
I was overjoyed.
I wanted to run out the door.
But as I turned.
A force pulled me back.
It was Mr. Shen.
He stared at my face for a moment, “Let’s go together.”
I stopped, touching my right cheek.
It was still swollen.
Mom just said I must be prettier.
Mom would be disappointed.
I wasn’t pretty at all.
Mr. Shen seemed to notice too.
He asked the maid to take me to shower and change.
I refused.
“No need.”
Even though I wasn’t pretty.
I didn’t want to deceive Mom.
Especially not with Mr. Shen.
I wanted Mom to know I’d had a hard time.
I also wanted Mom to know Mr. Shen slapped me.
Mr. Shen was silent for a few seconds before forcing me.
Before leaving the house, he glanced at 沈伊’s guests, frowning.
He ordered them to be dismissed.
Immediately, 沈伊’s face turned green.
She came over with a sullen face, batting her eyelashes at Mr. Shen,
“Dad, are you going out? Mom will be here later, she said you have a bad stomach, she made you some stomach-soothing dinner.”
Hearing that, I almost rolled my eyes.
Stomach-soothing dinner.
Those two were enough to soothe anyone’s stomach.
沈伊’s mother was in a coma after a car accident, that’s why she was adopted by Mr. Shen.
After a few years, her mother woke up.
Not only did she not want her daughter back, she often used visiting her daughter as an excuse to see Mr. Shen.
Mr. Shen “hmm”ed, picked up the car keys handed to him by the assistant, and looked at me, “Let’s go.”
10
I was eager to see Mom, so I followed Mr. Shen.
For years.
This was the first time I rode in Mr. Shen’s car.
The irony was.
Such a high-end car, and I didn’t even know how to open the door.
Seeing me standing there.
Mr. Shen didn’t say a word, he came over and opened the door for me.
I didn’t thank him.
After getting in, I took out a hundred-dollar bill and handed it to Mr. Shen: “Fare.”
It was my school scholarship.
I’d been saving it.
“…No need.”
Mr. Shen glanced at it, slightly stunned, then skillfully reversed and sped off.
I knew he also wanted to see Mom immediately.
But I still wanted to settle the score.
I insisted on giving him the money.
“You’re not my dad anymore.
I’m not riding in your car for free.”
Mr. Shen paused.
In the speeding car, I heard his voice, word by word: “As long as you’re your mother’s daughter, I’ll always be your dad.”
Having a dad like him?
Heh.
I didn’t bother arguing.
…Twenty minutes later, the car stopped.
I looked out the window, seeing blue skies, crowds, and a train station.
This was our old home near the train station!
Not far away.
A woman in a plaid dress was waving to me.
It was Mom!
“Mom!”
I jumped out of the car and ran into her arms.
11
Mr. Shen got out of the car too.
He stood by the car, watching Yu rush into his wife’s embrace, it all felt unreal.
He pinched his palm hard.
Was this real?
Was this a dream?
He was afraid that when he woke up, Zhen would be gone again.
“Zhen.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he called her name.
Her face was exactly the same as before.
Young.
Beautiful.
Like the lilies that bloomed in his room every day.
She really was back.
Mr. Shen looked at his bleeding palm, his heart settling.
He couldn’t help but feel hopeful.
Zhen was back.
His happiness was back.
He wasn’t a walking corpse anymore.
He would be like before, coming home to see the Zhen he longed for.
When things went wrong, he’d go home and hug her.
When he achieved something, he’d immediately go home and share it with her.
They loved each other, raised their daughter together, a life even gods would envy.
But.
His heart suddenly ached.
Looking up, seeing his wife and daughter embracing, he thought of wanting to send Yu to the orphanage not long ago.
All these years, he ignored Yu.
Zhen—
Would she blame him?
12
After I fell into Mom’s arms, I realized it was all real.
My deceased Mom was back.
She must have seen how miserable I was and returned.
“Mom… I miss you so much… I… Wuuu…”
Before I finished, I cried.
I cried uncontrollably.
I couldn’t stop.
“Good girl.
Cry.
Lean on Mom.”
Mom didn’t comfort me, she just gently patted my shoulder, waiting for me to calm down before examining me closely.
“Honey.
Why are you so skinny? I fed you so well when you were little, where’s all your baby fat?
And…
Why is your face swollen?
Who hit you?”
13
Zhen hugged her daughter, feeling that her daughter was just skin and bones.
That was fine.
She could gain weight.
Maybe her daughter was just trying to be pretty during puberty, refusing to eat properly.
Though she blamed Shen Mo a little, thinking of him being busy, a single father, she couldn’t blame him.
But when she looked up.
Her daughter’s face was swollen.
She immediately thought of one word, “bullying.”
Did someone bully her daughter because she didn’t have a mother?
Did Shen Mo know about this?
At this moment～
She finally remembered to look for Shen Mo.
Shen Mo had already stood beside them, shielding them from the afternoon sun.
“Shen Mo.
Who hit our Yu?
Such a hard slap…
Mom’s voice trembled with anger, mixed with sobs.
“Yu, from little to big, I didn’t even dare touch her, who is it?
I’m going to get even!”
Shen Mo pursed his lips, not daring to look at Mom.
The air seemed to freeze.
After a long time.
He said, “It was me.”
14
Mom was stunned for three seconds after hearing that.
Then, without giving Shen Mo a chance to explain, “slap”, she slapped him.
The sound was loud, attracting the attention of passersby.
Shen Mo didn’t dodge, he took it.
He even asked, “Are you very angry? Do you want to hit me more?”
He acted like he was in a drama, and I felt disgusted.
Mom was still young.
She still looked twenty-five.
How old was he…
In public, I didn’t want Mom to argue with him, so I tugged at her sleeve, trying to get her attention.
But Mom stared at my bleached sleeve.
“How many years have you worn this dress?”
I pursed my lips.
Actually, not that many years, only two.
I was still growing.
It just wasn’t many clothes, I just washed them a lot.
I didn’t think this was what Mom should be focusing on.
She should be looking at how old Shen Mo was.
She’d been reborn, she couldn’t be with an old man.
Uncle An…
Mid-thought.
Mom pulled Shen Mo’s tie and questioned:
“I read in a magazine that you’re very rich now.
Where did your money go?
Why is our daughter dressed like this?
Didn’t you say that when you had money, you would make our daughter a princess?”
15
Mom was hysterical, but she didn’t look ugly at all.
Standing behind her, I thought she was beautiful.
I’d fantasized about this scene many times.
Every Chinese New Year’s Eve.
Shen Mo only gave 沈伊 red envelopes, only had New Year’s Eve dinner with 沈伊.
After dinner, he took 沈伊 to watch fireworks.
Confused uncles asked Shen Mo why he was so good to his adopted daughter.
Shen Mo said earnestly:
“Because she looks like my wife.
Do you know?
My wife was a princess since she was little.
Only after she married me did she suffer.”
He wanted 沈伊, who looked like Mom, to live well.
But he ignored Mom’s daughter.
Every New Year’s Eve, I secretly hugged Mom’s photo and slept.
Then I saw Mom standing up for me in my dreams.
And today.
My dream finally came true.
However.
I didn’t care about Shen Mo’s response.
Because he was no longer important to me.
He’d already sent me to the orphanage.
And Mom brought me out.
… While Mom was questioning him, a Rolls Royce suddenly stopped.
The door opened, and 沈伊 jumped out, running towards us.
Her mother followed closely behind.
“Who are you?
Stay away from my dad!
Dad, what happened to your face… Mom, call the police… this woman hit Dad…”
Dad, Mom.
They looked like a family.
My mom stared at the two women, contemplating.
“Dad.”
“Mom.”
She murmured, releasing my hand, “Shen Mo, have you remarried?”
16
Shen Mo’s mind went blank for a second.
Then he looked at 沈伊’s mother, his eyes filled with disgust.
“No.
She’s just my adopted daughter, I have nothing to do with her mother.”
Shen Mo was eager to refute, losing his composure when he saw Mom’s misunderstanding.
Seeing this, I sneered.
“Yes.
You have nothing to do with her.
Just having New Year’s Eve dinners and attending parent-teacher meetings together.”
I said these words calmly.
But my heart was turbulent.
All these years.
New Year’s Eve dinners.
I ate alone.
Parent-teacher meetings.
I blushed and told the teacher that my dad was busy. The teacher usually pressed further: “What exactly is he busy with, that he ignores his daughter?”
I couldn’t answer.
The teacher would contact Shen Mo personally.
But in the end, it was the housekeeper, Mrs. Liu, who attended the parent-teacher meeting.
Mrs. Liu’s Mandarin wasn’t good, she was laughed at by classmates every time.
I felt sorry for Mrs. Liu.
She had her own daughter, if her daughter knew she was being laughed at in the city, how heartbroken would she be?
I didn’t have a mother, I couldn’t burden other people’s mothers.
Later, I preferred to lie to the teacher, rather than have Mrs. Liu come.
Therefore, at every parent-teacher meeting, only my family was always absent.
But 沈伊 was different.
Shen Mo would personally attend her parent-teacher meetings, and even donate things to her school.
Later, 沈伊’s mother was discharged from the hospital.
As long as 沈伊 expressed a little wish, Shen Mo and her mother would appear at her school.
Her elite school was only a street away from mine.
Shen Mo’s luxury car parked at the school gate always attracted attention.
My classmates would also envy 沈伊.
“She’s so lucky.
Yu, you also have the last name Shen, your mom is just a stupid woman who can’t even speak proper Mandarin.”
These words ignited all my anger.
I couldn’t tell whether I was angry at him for insulting Mrs. Liu or for insulting my mother.
But no matter what, I punched that foul-mouthed boy.
He was badly hurt by me.
This alarmed Shen Mo.
He knew I wasn’t wrong.
But he still made me transfer schools.
He arrogantly said, “Always causing trouble, you and your mother, you’re nothing alike.”
Thinking of this, I looked at Shen Mo’s torn collar and smiled.
Aren’t Mom and I alike?
Thinking about it.
I took Mom’s hand.
Only then did I realize Mom’s hands were cold.
She must have been very sad too.
She told me she’d been here since ten years ago.
It was just a blink of an eye.
She couldn’t accept that her husband was having New Year’s Eve dinners with another woman and attending parent-teacher meetings for another woman’s daughter.
It’s okay.
Mom.
You still have me.
I held Mom’s hand tightly, whispering, “Mom, shall we go see Uncle An? He’ll be so happy to know you’re back.”
After that.
I glanced at Shen Mo.
It wasn’t a provocation.
17
But Shen Mo’s face darkened.
He hated me for so many years.
But never as angry as today.
Oh right.
He just ignored me before.
Making him angry.
How happy.
But.
He was overthinking.
Why would I use Mom to make him angry?
Uncle An and Mom were just friends.
He was just narrow-minded.
He still harbored resentment over Grandpa’s wish to marry Mom to Uncle An.
After Mom passed away, Shen Mo ignored me, and my grades plummeted.
Uncle An couldn’t bear it, he took me to a cafe every week to tutor me.
Shen Mo found out, and gave me a very rigid tutor.
He didn’t allow me to go out on weekends.
He didn’t allow Uncle An to see me again.
After that.
I never saw Uncle An again. I heard he was now an associate professor at the university.
The university I wanted to go to.
Once I secretly called him, he was very happy, and sent me many supplementary books.
“Mom, Uncle An helped me, I want to thank him.”
That was my real goal.
Mom wouldn’t refuse me.
She pulled herself from her emotions and said “Okay”.
But the next second.
Shen Mo said in a low voice, “You’re not allowed to go.”
