Chapter 2: Ria's POV

"That’s Adrian Blake," Olivia said, her voice brimming with excitement, snapping me out of my daze.

"What?" I asked, barely registering her words as my gaze stayed glued to him.

"I said that’s Adrian Blake, the host of this party," Olivia repeated, still staring at him like a hunter eyeing her prey.

"No... that’s Knight," I muttered, my voice trembling as the name escaped my lips. My heart raced, memories flooding back like a tidal wave.

"What did you say?" Olivia asked, confusion flickering across her perfectly made-up face.

"That’s Knight—my childhood friend I told you about," I repeated, my voice a mix of awe and disbelief. My chest tightened, a strange combination of anxiety and excitement coursing through me. After all these years, I never thought I’d see him again.

Without thinking, I took a step forward, intent on crossing the crowded room to reach him, but Olivia’s firm grip on my wrist stopped me in my tracks.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her sharp eyes narrowing as she pulled me back.

"I’m going to say hello, of course," I replied, baffled by her reaction.

Her grip loosened slightly, and she tilted her head, a calculated expression replacing her initial surprise. "You can’t just go like that. Look at you!" She gestured at my dress dismissively. "Besides, we need to confirm it’s really him. You don’t want to embarrass yourself, do you? So let me help you out"

I hesitated, glancing down at my dress. Sure, it wasn’t flashy or attention-grabbing like Olivia’s, but I didn’t see anything wrong with it. Still, her words planted a seed of doubt. Could I be mistaken? Was it really him?

"Fine," I muttered reluctantly. "But I’m sure it’s him."

“Stay here, I will be back.” I watched Olivia adjust her dress, her hands deliberately tucking her neckline lower and smoothing the fabric against her curves. Her every move dripped with practiced seduction. Without another word, she sauntered off, her hips swaying as she approached him.

My heart pounded harder as I watched her weave through the crowd, my eyes fixed on Knight—or Adrian Blake, as Olivia had called him. She stopped in front of him, tilting her head coyly.

"Knight?" I heard her ask, her voice sweet and curious.

My breath caught in my throat as I waited for his reaction. He turned sharply at the sound of the name, his face a hint of confusion and surprise.

"You’re my Knight in shining armor, and I’m your..." Olivia paused dramatically

My heart stopped as his face broke into a familiar, wide grin. "Cinderella?" he asked, his face lightening up with recognition, his voice filled with joy. "Oh my God, it’s been so long! I’ve missed you. I never thought I’d see you again!"

I froze, my mind reeling. He thought Olivia was me.

"I hosted this party half expecting you’d show up," Adrian—Knight—added, his tone brimming with excitement.

I stared in shock, my feet rooted to the floor as I watched Olivia tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, her coy smile growing.

"Oh, Knight, it really is you," she cooed, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I wasn’t sure I saw right."

Before I could process what was happening, he embraced her, wrapping his arms around her like she was a long-lost treasure.

"No," I whispered to myself. My body moved on its own, my feet carrying me toward them, unable to stay still any longer.

"Knight!" I called out, my voice trembling.

He turned to look at me, his brow furrowing in confusion as his gaze flicked between me and Olivia.

"And who are you?" he asked, his tone polite but distant.

"I’m Cin—" I began, but Olivia cut me off swiftly.

"That’s my stepsister, Ria," she said, her voice dripping with mock affection. Her sharp glare warned me to stay silent as she turned back to Adrian with an apologetic smile.

"You told her my secret name?" Adrian asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Actually," Olivia said, lowering her voice as if embarrassed, "as my sister, I confided in her when I thought I’d lost you forever. I needed someone to talk to." She looked down, playing the role of the vulnerable, innocent victim perfectly.

Adrian’s expression softened, and he reached out to place a comforting hand on her arm. "It’s fine," he said, his voice gentle.

My fists clenched at my sides. Every word out of Olivia’s mouth was a lie, and yet he believed her so easily.

He extended his hand to me, his polite smile not reaching his eyes. "I’m Adrian Blake."

"I’m Cinderella," I blurted out, unable to stop myself.

His hand froze mid-air, and his smile faltered. "What?" he asked, his tone laced with confusion.

"I..."

"Ria, how could you?" Olivia gasped, stepping in front of him protectively. "Why are you trying to use the information I shared with you as leverage? I’ve never wronged you! I trusted you because I’ve always loved you as my sister! I told you how worried I was when he stopped showing up and how I don't even know his real name," Olivia cried out, leaving me so shocked."

Her words hit me like a slap, leaving me momentarily speechless. If I hadn’t been the real Cinderella, I might have believed her act.

“Knight, I…”

"Enough, Ria," Adrian said coldly, his voice cutting me off. "How could you do something so shameful to your own sister? What would you gain from trying to steal her identity?"

"I..."

"Apologize," he demanded, his tone leaving room for no argument. I looked at Olivia and there it was, that smirk she always has on when she makes me suffer for an offence she commits.

I stared at Adrian, my anger bubbling to the surface. How could he believe her so easily? How could he not even give me a chance to explain?

"I won’t," I said firmly, my voice trembling with emotion.

Adrian’s jaw tightened, and Olivia tugged on his arm, her eyes glistening with fake tears. "Knight, let it go," she said softly. "She’s my younger sister, and I’m sure she didn’t mean it the way you think. I don’t want this to ruin anything between us. I don't know Ria to be someone jealous of my life, pls let it slide."

Her words carried an unspoken accusation, painting me as the jealous younger sibling.

Adrian’s expression darkened further, and he threw me a cold, warning glare before turning away. "Let’s go, Olivia, you are so unlucky to have such a sister," he said, leading her toward the crowd.

I stood there, frozen, my mind racing as I watched them walk away together.

"What just happened?" I whispered, my voice trembling. "Did my stepsister just steal my identity... and my childhood sweetheart?"