Chapter 4

Rita’s POV

The twins, dressed in their matching dark, bespoke suits, looked like two knights guarding a princess as they stood on either side of Olive.

Caspar and Cedric had always been handsome. I knew that.

But as I looked at them, I couldn’t help but notice that they looked even more handsome than usual.

For a moment, that captivating scent wafted toward me again. A flutter stirred in my heart, and my eyes widened as I looked at the twins.

Could it be…?

No. I quickly squashed the thought before it could take root. I was just being desperate and insane because I hadn’t spotted my mate yet—it couldn’t be them.

Besides, midnight hadn’t struck yet. I wasn’t officially eighteen until then. I would likely meet my mate once the clock struck.

As I followed Olive toward the stage, carrying her train behind her, I prayed for the hour to arrive swiftly. Then, I could leave this life behind and escape somewhere far away, never to look back.

Olive stepped up onto the stage, leaning on the twins’ arms. The crowd cheered as she approached the microphone. I stood off to the side, not on the stage, but below it. The twins had made it clear that I was to stay out of the way for Olive’s precious speech.

“Thank you all for coming tonight,” she said, her sweet voice carrying across the crowd like a thousand tiny bells. “I feel so blessed to be able to say that I spent my eighteenth birthday surrounded by my closest friends.”

I glanced over at the group of girls who started cheering and resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Olive had a gaggle of female friends who orbited her for her status, the same girls who had once done the same to me when they thought I was the heiress.

“Furthermore,” she went on, “I’d like to thank my wonderful brothers for such a perfect night.”

She turned to the twins, tears shimmering in her blue eyes. “Three years ago, I never would have even dreamed of a life like the one I lead now. I feel so… so…” She sniffled, taking a handkerchief offered to her by Caspar. “I feel so lucky!”

The crowd cooed and applauded. Olive beamed through her false tears and turned back toward the microphone. I glanced at the clock, hoping that this portion of the night would end quickly. I couldn’t bear her fake platitudes and artificial sweetness.

But then her eyes fell on me.

My stomach dropped as she extended her hand my way. Before I could slip away, she grabbed me and pulled me onto the stage.

“I would also like to remind everyone that it is also my dear stepsister’s birthday tonight; while we were swapped at birth eighteen years ago, I’m still grateful for everything she has done for the Lopez family after all these years. After all, she was the one who blew up every balloon in this room, and who has served you all drinks. She’s a very diligent servant, despite her poor breeding.”

The crowd fell silent, save for a few scattered laughs and jeers. Heat crept up my neck, and all I wanted to do was turn and run, especially when the twins’ gazes briefly fell on me.

Of course, no one wished me a happy birthday. I could feel half of them trying not to laugh as they beheld the once-great Rita, now a maid in her own home, wearing a black and white uniform while the true heiress looked like a princess beside her.

Olive’s fingers tightened painfully around my wrist. Having achieved her goal of humiliating me for the night, her smile broadened, and she pushed me away.

I slipped into the crowd as she continued her speech and made for the door to the courtyard.

It was quiet in the courtyard, what with everyone still inside for the speech. I walked up to the edge of the pool, although I kept a safe distance of a few feet, and scrubbed my hands over my face.

The space was silent, but my thoughts were louder than ever. I wished I could tear off this apron and run away, mate or no mate.

I looked up at the sky, at the moon hanging half-full above, and let out a small breath.

“Please bring me my mate,” I whispered, as if the Goddess could hear me from her palace in the sky. “I don’t want to be here anymore.”

“Talking to yourself, Rita?”

A familiar voice made me turn. It wasn’t the twins, but someone else entirely—Sarah. A group of females was standing behind her.

Sarah was Olive’s closest “friend”, the top dog of their little clique (aside from Olive herself, of course). She used to be my best friend, or so I thought. But the moment Olive showed up, Sarah dismissed me entirely and glommed onto her, often assisting Olive in her schemes against me.

“What do you want, Sarah?” I asked.

She strutted closer. “I forgot it was your eighteenth birthday. Do you actually think you’ll find a mate tonight?”

I pressed my lips together instead of answering.

One of the other girls in the group stepped out of the shadows. She was petite with long brunette hair, and just as nasty as the others. “What do you think, Sarah? She even put makeup on for the occasion.”

Sarah scoffed and reached out, pinching a strand of my hair between her fingers. “As if mascara and lipstick could fix this ugly mug.” Before I could react, she smeared her hand across my mouth hard, wiping my lipstick all over my face. Then, she wiped her palm on my apron, staining it pink.

I grit my teeth. “You’re one to talk, Sarah,” I said. “I haven’t forgotten how you were so obsessed with Cedric four years ago that you stuffed your bra just for his attention.”

Sarah’s face flushed. For a moment, I thought I’d hit my mark and that they would leave me well enough alone.

But I was a fool.

In a flash, Sarah and her friends descended on me. I felt hands roughly grab my arms and start dragging me toward the pool, too close for comfort. My heart leapt into my throat, and fear gripped me, making me freeze.

“And I haven’t forgotten that time your clumsy ass almost drowned when you were twelve,” Sarah cooed as her friends dragged me closer. “What a wimp, unable to swim at that age” She clicked her tongue.

“No—wait!” I cried out, but it was too late. With a shove, the girls threw me over the edge of the pool, right toward the deep end.

The cold water dragged me down and filled my lungs. Fear and pain overwhelmed me, and no one came to save me.

Because right now, everyone was gathered around the birthday girl, and the loud music drowned out the sounds of my cries for help.