Chapter 3: The Betrayal Unfolds

Ria froze mid-step, clutching the edge of the wooden staircase. Her chest tightened as the words seeped through the cracks in the dimly lit hallway. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but the conversation between Olivia and her stepmother, Mrs. Carter, was impossible to ignore.

"She’s delusional, Mother," Olivia continued, her tone dripping with mockery. "Ria thinks Adrian is hers. Poor thing doesn’t even know I’ve already taken her place."

Mrs. Carter chuckled lightly, a sound that made Ria’s stomach churn. "Good. Keep playing innocent, my dear. Men like Adrian are easily fooled by a sweet face and gentle words. That stupid girl is no match for you."

Tears pricked Ria’s eyes as her heart cracked a little more with each cruel word. She clenched her fists, willing herself to stay silent. The betrayal cut deep, especially coming from the two people she had trusted and seen as family.

"But what if Ria tells Adrian the truth?" Olivia asked, feigning concern.

"She won’t," Mrs. Carter replied with certainty. "And even if she tries, Adrian won’t believe her. Why would he? You’ve already convinced him you’re the one he’s been searching for all these years. Ria is nothing but a shadow in his life now.”

Ria couldn’t bear it any longer. Her trembling legs gave way, and she sank to the floor, her back pressing against the cold wall. How had it come to this? Adrian—the boy who once promised her the world, the boy who had been her anchor in childhood—was now slipping through her fingers, stolen by her own stepsister.

Memories of their shared laughter, whispered promises, and tender moments flashed through her mind like a cruel reminder of what she was about to lose.

Gathering her courage, Ria stood up. She wiped her tears, her resolve hardening like steel. They think I’m weak. They think I’ll stay silent. She straightened her shoulders and walked down the stairs, her footsteps deliberate and steady.

As she entered the living room, Olivia and Mrs. Carter’s laughter abruptly stopped.

"Ria," Olivia said, feigning surprise. "I didn’t see you there."

Ria’s gaze burned into her stepsister’s smug face. "Save it, Olivia. I heard everything."

Olivia’s eyes widened for a brief moment before she smirked. "Oh, dear sister, eavesdropping now? That’s not very ladylike."

"Enough!" Ria snapped, her voice trembling with anger. "You’ve been lying to Adrian. You’ve been lying to everyone! How could you do this to me?"

Mrs. Carter stepped forward, her expression cold and unbothered. "Lower your voice, Ria. You’re making a scene."

"A scene?" Ria’s voice rose. "You’ve been plotting behind my back, stealing Adrian away from me, and I’m the one making a scene?"

Olivia crossed her arms, leaning against the edge of the couch. "Adrian doesn’t belong to you, Ria. He never did. You were just a placeholder, a sad little girl clinging to a childhood fantasy."

"Do you really think Adrian will ever love someone like you?" Olivia’s voice was soft yet sharp, like the blade of a dagger hidden behind a velvet sheath.

Ria’s chest heaved as she struggled to contain her rage. "I trusted you, Olivia. You were supposed to be my sister."

Olivia laughed, the sound hollow and cruel. "You trusted me? That was your first mistake."

Mrs. Carter placed a hand on Olivia’s shoulder. "Come now, Ria. You’re embarrassing yourself. Go back to your room and stop meddling in things you don’t understand."

Ria’s voice wavered, but her determination didn’t falter. "I’m not going anywhere. Adrian deserves to know the truth."

Olivia’s smirk faded, replaced by a flicker of panic. "You wouldn’t dare."

"Watch me," Ria replied, turning toward the door.

But before she could leave, Mrs. Carter grabbed her arm with an iron grip. "If you even think about ruining Olivia’s happiness, you’ll regret it, Ria. You have no idea what we’re capable of."

Ria yanked her arm free, her glare unwavering. "Do your worst. I’ve already lost everything. What more can you take from me?"

With that, she stormed out of the house, the cool evening air hitting her like a wave of clarity. She needed to find Adrian, to tell him everything before it was too late.

---

The city lights blurred as Ria hurried down the street, her mind racing. Every step she took felt heavier than the last, but she couldn’t stop now. Adrian had to know the truth about Olivia’s lies, about the woman she truly was. She didn't care about her state of appearance, she just wanted to reach Adrian and maybe, just maybe he would see through Olivia's deceit.

She reached the grand hotel where Adrian was attending a charity gala, she had heard Olivia mention it and thank goodness it's very close to the house. The sight of the dazzling chandeliers and elegantly dressed guests made her hesitate for a moment, but she quickly brushed her insecurities aside. This isn’t about me. It’s about Adrian knowing the truth.

The moment she stepped into the ballroom, all eyes turned to her. Whispers spread like wildfire as the guests recognized her plain attire and pale face, so different from the glamorous crowd around her.

Ria scanned the room, her heart pounding as she finally spotted Adrian near the stage, laughing with a group of investors. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of him. He looked as handsome as ever in his tailored suit, his deep blue eyes sparkling under the golden light.

For a brief moment, she hesitated. What if he didn’t believe her? What if Olivia and Mrs. Carter were right, and he dismissed her again as a jealous fool?

But then Adrian turned, his gaze meeting hers. His smile faltered, replaced by a look of confusion and mild annoyance.

"Ria?" he asked, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd.

"Adrian, I need to talk to you," she said, her voice louder than she intended.

Adrian excused himself from the group and walked over to her, his expression unreadable. "What are you doing here? This isn’t the time or place for—"

"It’s about Olivia," Ria interrupted, her voice shaking. "She’s been lying to you. Everything she told you about being your childhood sweetheart is a lie."

Adrian’s brows furrowed, his eyes narrowing. "What are you talking about?"

"I’m the one you made that promise to, Adrian. I'm the one you promised to marry before your sudden disappearance, I'm the one you told your secret name to. It was me, not Olivia. I'm your Cinderella." Ria pleaded, her voice cracking.

The crowd grew quieter, their curiosity piqued by the unfolding drama.

"Ria, stop this nonsense," Adrian said, his tone cold and dismissive. "Olivia has been nothing but kind and open with you. Why are you doing this?"

"Because it’s the truth!" Ria exclaimed, tears streaming down her face. "You have to believe me, Adrian. Please."

But Adrian shook his head, his jaw tight. "I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but this ends now. Go home, Ria. I don’t want to see you here again."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut, leaving her breathless. The man she had loved, trusted and waited for had just turned his back on her, choosing to believe the lies of her stepsister over her heartfelt plea.

As Adrian walked away, Ria stood frozen in place, her tears blurring the glittering lights around her. The whispers of the crowd grew louder, their judgment cutting through her like knives.

---

Back at the Carter residence, Olivia paced the living room, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Her mother sat calmly on the sofa, sipping tea as if nothing had happened.

"She’s going to ruin everything," Olivia hissed, her hands clenched into fists. "What if she tells Adrian? What if she finds a way to prove what we did?"

Mrs. Carter placed her teacup on the table with a soft clink. "Relax, Olivia. Ria may be determined, but she’s also naive. She doesn’t have the resources or the cunning to outsmart us."

Olivia stopped pacing, her expression tense. "But she’s unpredictable. I can’t shake the feeling that she’s going to fight back."

Mrs. Carter smirked. "And if she does, we’ll deal with her accordingly. We’ve come too far to let a little girl ruin our plans."

"Adrian can’t know the truth," Olivia muttered, her voice almost desperate.

"He won’t," Mrs. Carter said firmly. "Not if we play our cards right. Remember, Olivia, the best way to keep Ria in check is to remind her of that one thing she hates remembering."

Olivia’s eyes narrowed as a wicked grin spread across her face. "Then let’s make sure she knows just how far we’re willing to go.”