d. I did my makeup carefully, not to impress anyone, but for myself. When I looked

lawn. The party was in full swing, a grand affair to celebrate Scarlett's "miraculous recove

rrounded by admirers, her face a perfect mask of sweet innocence. Liam was

ed at something she said, a genuine, warm laugh that I had never heard direct

ghost at

familiar sting of jealousy or the ache of loneliness. I fel

a small stage and tapped a glass f

now, she had quite a scare, but she's a strong girl." He beamed at Scarlett, who blushed prettily. "To show our love and

as a fortune. Scarlett's eyes widened in feigned surprise,

is face. "She deserves it, David. Scarle

er they adored, while I, their other daughter, stood in the shadows, forgotten. I

miliation

the room. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a s

ed it immediately. It was the Sterling family matriarch's bracelet, passed down for generations. Liam's grandfather, the only person in the

the box. He looked at Scarlett

belongs to the most important woman in the Sterling family." He paused, and his eyes briefly flickered to

, a symbol of everything I was not, everything I could never be. Scarlett held up her hand, ad

the sheer, undisguised pleasure on the faces of those who had always disliked me. They were all waiting for my rea

felt n

very sad, very pathetic movie, but a movie nonetheless. The characters were delivering their

owards the back garden, needing some fresh air. I heard

ouched my cheeks. They were dry. There were no tears. The well

s. I wasn't that desperate, heartbroken girl anymore. They had taken everything fro

so, they ha

as finally, truly, g