Chapter 1

Coming home from my high school tutoring gig, I saw my sister Serena playing the "Family Love Subscription" game with dad Richard and mom Eleanor.

"One kiss is twenty thousand dollars."

"One hug is fifty thousand dollars."

Richard kissed Serena's cheek twice. "I want to subscribe to two kisses, Serena."

Eleanor pulled Serena into her arms. "I want a ten-minute hug subscription."

I stood at the doorway, silent.

Serena giggled as her phone buzzed with one Venmo notification after another.

"What about Sienna? Sienna enjoys your love for free. Why doesn't she have to pay?"

Eleanor had a difficult labor when she gave birth to me. Ever since then, they gave all their love to Serena.

There was only ever one portion of gourmet breakfast on the table.

Serena's monthly allowance was three hundred thousand dollars, while mine was only three hundred.

Eleanor frowned. "Serena is right. Family love requires a subscription fee."

Richard sneered. "If you don't renew your subscription, Sienna, don't even think about calling us your parents anymore!"

I gripped my faded, worn-out school hoodie.

Fine. I didn't want this kind of "family" anyway.