Take Back What Was Always Mine Novel by Cole Ashbourne _ Novel





Take Back What Was Always Mine Chapter 01

In my past life, my sister Lila chose the rich Hale family, leaving me to struggle in poverty.
No one imagined that she would be cast out before five years had passed—and die alone on the streets.
I, meanwhile, fought my way to the top, building an empire and finding love with my adoptive brother, Felix.
We got married and had children with the blessing of my adoptive parents. We had everything.
Until I opened my eyes and found myself back at the orphanage. Two families stood in front of us.
This time, Lila moved first.
She rushed into Felix's arms, called him "brother," then clung tightly to our adoptive parents.
Then she looked at me and smiled. "Iris, you can have the rich family. I'm not wasting my life in a house that eats people alive."
That was when I knew. She remembered. And she thought she had just stolen my fate.
I turned to the man who had once been my husband, hoping he might defend me.
Instead, he stepped in front of her. "Stay away from my sister."
So, under her triumphant gaze, I walked toward the extended Lincoln waiting outside.
Let her take my past.
I would take everything else.
***
"Please get in, Miss."
The Hale family hadn't sent anyone else—only their driver, Wesley Moore.
It had happened the same in my previous life. Back then, when the orphanage director let us choose our future, Lila had spoken up first and chosen the Hale family.
"I'm not going to suffer through some broke family's miserable life," she had sneered. "Iris, you can take this one for me."
And as she wished, she lived among the wealthy. Yet her smile had faded little by little, until not a trace of it remained.
I stepped into the extended Lincoln. As we drove, Wesley explained the rules I would need to follow once we reached the Hale's residence.
"Did you get all that?" He asked, his sharp eyes meeting my gaze in the rearview mirror.
"I did," I replied.
I followed the driver into the mansion. It looked less like a home and more like a palace.
"She's here, Mrs. Hale," Wesley announced.
The elegant woman seated on the couch looked up from her coffee. Her eyes landed on me and sized me up. She gave a soft wave of her hand. "Come here."
"What's your name?" she asked.
"Iris Bennett," I replied.
That was the name the orphanage director had given me—a wish for a life of peace.
Genevieve Winslow nodded. "Very well. From now on, you're Iris Hale."
"Jonah, take her upstairs," she said to Jonah Carter, the butler.
"Yes."
I followed Jonah closely, step by step. The staircase railing was crafted from solid mahogany, and the floor gleamed with imported marble—luxury everywhere I looked.
Jonah glanced back at me, an unreadable flicker passing through his eyes. He pushed open a door, revealing a spacious bedroom decorated like a princess's chamber.
"This is your room now, Ms. Hale. Take some rest. I'll be back later." With that, he left.
I walked inside and looked around. The décor was elegant and expensive. Every corner of the room reflected the luxury of high society.
The Hale family clearly showed generosity toward the daughter they had chosen to bring home.
A thrill stirred deep within me.
In my previous life, I had climbed to this height without anyone's support. It had taken everything I had.
This time, I was starting with the Hale family's support, and I would make sure to carve out a path that belonged to me—and me alone.
Just as I was thinking about all of this, I heard some shouting behind me. The bedroom door flew open a second later.
Before I could react, a basketball shot through the air and smacked me in the head with a loud thump.
"Hey, country bumpkin! Bring me my ball!"

READ FULL NOVEL HERE