Chapter 3: The Last Thing She Lost

“It’s not the enemy that destroys you… it’s the one who once said they loved you.”

Elara didn’t know how long she had been walking.

The music from the party had faded behind her, but the noise in her head only got louder.

Not the heir.

Not your concern.

Leave the office.

Each word echoed like a cruel reminder.

She stopped by the garden hallway, gripping the edge of a table to steady herself.

Her chest felt tight.

Heavy.

Like she couldn’t breathe properly.

“Elara?”

That voice

Her heart skipped.

She turned quickly.

“Ryan…”

For a second, relief flashed across her face.

Finally.

Someone on her side.

Ryan walked toward her, dressed in a neat black suit, his usual confident smile on his face. He looked her up and down, then smirked slightly.

“Where’s my heiress?” he said playfully. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

The word hit differently now.

Heiress.

Elara forced a small smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Ryan, I”

“Oh, you didn’t hear?” another voice cut in.

Livia.

Elara’s expression immediately hardened.

Her stepsister walked toward them slowly, her heels clicking softly, her face glowing with amusement.

“Hear what?” Ryan asked, glancing between them.

Livia let out a soft laugh.

“That she’s not the heiress,” she said simply.

Silence.

Ryan blinked.

“What?”

Elara felt her stomach drop.

“Livia, stop” she tried to say.

But it was too late.

“She’s not inheriting anything,” Livia continued, her voice light, almost playful. “Seems like you’ve been dating the wrong sister all along.”

Ryan’s face changed.

The smile disappeared.

“What is she talking about?” he asked, turning sharply to Elara.

Elara swallowed. “Ryan, it’s not that simple—”

“So it’s true?” he cut in, his voice rising. “You’re not the heir?”

People nearby began to look.

Watch.

Whisper.

Elara’s fingers tightened at her sides. “I just found out too, okay? I was going to tell you—”

“Tell me what?” he snapped. “That I’ve been wasting my time?”

The words hit hard.

Elara flinched slightly. “Wasting your time?”

Ryan let out a short, angry laugh.

“You really thought I’d be with you for nothing?” he said.

Her heart dropped.

“Ryan…” her voice came out softer now, hurt creeping in. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying,” he stepped closer, his eyes cold now, “I didn’t even like you in the first place.”

Silence.

Everything went quiet.

Elara stared at him.

Like she didn’t recognize the person in front of her.

“We’ve been together for over a year…” she whispered.

“Yeah,” he shrugged. “And?”

Her chest tightened painfully.

“And?” she repeated.

“Don’t act stupid, Elara,” he said impatiently. “You think it was love? It was never love.”

Each word felt like a knife.

“I stayed because you were the heiress,” he continued bluntly. “That’s it.”

Elara’s vision blurred slightly.

“No…” she shook her head. “You’re lying.”

“Am I?” he said.

Before she could react

Livia stepped forward.

Right next to Ryan.

Then, without hesitation

She grabbed his collar and pulled him down.

And kissed him.

Not just a quick kiss.

A deep one.

Slow.

Deliberate.

Right in front of Elara.

Elara froze.

Her mind went completely blank.

The world around her disappeared.

All she could see

Was them.

Her stepsister.

Her boyfriend.

Together.

Like it was nothing.

Like she was nothing.

After a few seconds, Livia pulled back, a satisfied smile on her lips.

Ryan didn’t look surprised.

Not even a little.

Instead, he wrapped an arm casually around Livia’s waist.

“Elara,” he said, almost bored now, “if you must know…”

His grip on Livia tightened slightly.

“She’s the one I actually like.”

The words echoed in her ears.

“I’ve liked her for a long time,” he added. “We’ve just been… careful.”

Careful.

Elara felt her knees weaken slightly.

“For over a year,” Livia added with a soft laugh. “You really didn’t notice?”

Elara couldn’t speak.

Couldn’t move.

Everything made sense now.

The looks.

The whispers.

The way Livia always smiled.

It wasn’t kindness.

It was mockery.

“You should thank me,” Livia continued sweetly. “At least now you know the truth.”

Truth.

Elara let out a small, broken breath.

Around them, people were staring again.

Watching.

Enjoying the show.

But this time

She didn’t react.

Didn’t shout.

Didn’t cry.

She just stood there.

Silent.

Still.

Like everything inside her had gone numb.

Ryan looked at her one last time, then scoffed lightly.

“Come on,” he said to Livia. “Let’s go somewhere less… depressing.”

Livia smiled, leaning into him.

“Of course.”

And just like that

They walked away.

Together.

Leaving Elara standing there alone.

Again.

But this time…

Something was different.

The pain was still there.

Sharp.

Deep.

But underneath it

Something else was growing.

Something colder.

Stronger.

Elara slowly lifted her head.

Her eyes were no longer soft.

No longer hurt.

They were empty.

Dangerously empty.

“Good,” she whispered to herself.

Her voice was calm.

Too calm.

“If that’s how it is…”

Her fingers curled slightly.

“Then none of you deserve mercy.”

The night had taken everything from her.

Her family.

Her position.

Her love.

Everything.

But maybe

Just maybe

That was exactly what she needed.

Because now…

There was nothing left holding her back.