Chapter 8 Imagined Perfection

As Anna stepped closer to Chloe, Chloe stumbled backward out of guilt.

Even so, Chloe retained the bright smile on her face. Like the obedient and adorable little sister she once was, Chloe gazed at her sister with loving and respectful eyes.

Anna was secretly commending her in her heart. She had never realized how amazing Chloe’s acting skills were!

“You should know where I was,” Anna replied coldly. A hint of resentment could be felt in her tone.

Chloe’s expression finally changed, but she quickly put on another smile. “Hmm? How would I know where you were, Anna? I didn’t see you last night.”

“Haha…”

Anna let out a dry laugh. “Chloe, Lincoln Group also has investments in movie production companies. Maybe you should interview for a role there. I think the career suits you perfectly.”

Finally, the smile on Chloe’s face was showing signs of fracture. “Anna, what are you saying? I don’t understand.”

“Out of my way!” Anna yelled.

Chloe’s chest tightened. Hesitantly, she took two steps backward, clearing the way.

Anna returned to her room and slammed the door behind her.

As she leaned against her bedroom door, she finally lost her composure. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Behind the door, she could hear Chloe complaining, “Daddy, why is Anna so mean to me? Did I do something wrong?

“She said… She said I belong in the entertainment industry. Does she mean I’m nothing but an actor?”

Daniel quickly consoled her. “Oh, Chloe, your sister doesn’t mean that. She’s just joking.”

Following that was Nicole’s gentle advice toward Chloe. “Chloe, Anna is the birth daughter of this household. No matter what she does, you’ll have to endure it. You can’t fight with your sister, got it? Anna Hamilton is not someone you should cross.

“Chloe, if there’s anyone to blame for this, it has to be me… Both of us have it so rough…”

Nicole wept as she continued. Chloe, too, started to sniffle. They acted as if Anna had been bullying them all this while.

Daniel sighed. “Anna is just like her mother, terribly arrogant! Nicole, you’ve been a part of this family for years. The things you’ve done for us have not gone unnoticed. And you, Chloe, you’ve been here since you were five-years-old. I’ve always seen you as my own daughter.”

Daniel proceeded to knock on Anna’s door. He groaned and scolded, “Anna, I will not allow you to treat your sister like this! She’s just worried about you! All these years, we’ve been dealing with your temper. It’s time you learn what’s right and wrong!”

Anna did not want to hear a word they say anymore. She sprinted away from the door.

Just then, she saw the bouquet of blood-red roses placed above her bed. A dull pain filled her chest.

She grabbed the vase, opened the window, and threw them out.

Crash! The vase shattered on the first floor, along with the love she felt for Bryan that whole year. Everything had turned to dust.

Anna rushed into her bathroom and showered herself with cold water. She needed to calm down.

She stood in the mirror, gazing at the pale face hidden behind her large glasses. Her chest felt heavy as if it was filled with cotton. The feeling was suffocating.

“Anna Hamilton, the perfect life you’ve always thought you had? It’s merely in your imagination.”

…

Bryan’s grandmother was celebrating her birthday that weekend. An invitation from the Dawson family had already reached their mail. The entire Hamilton family was invited.

Anna had just returned from school when Daniel stopped her in her tracks.

He looked her up and down.

As usual, Anna was wearing a white shirt with jeans. Although she was petite, she always liked to wear oversized clothes that hung baggily over her body, making her appear unkempt and unfitting of her identity.

In addition to her thick, black-rimmed glasses, her long, uncombed hair was simply drooped on her two shoulders. Anna appeared terribly dull and unfashionable.

“Bryan’s grandmother is turning 70 this weekend. There’ll be a lot of big shots at the party, so you better dazzle yourself up a little. Don’t wear such boring clothes all the time. Otherwise, you’ll look unworthy of standing next to Bryan.”

The word ‘boring; had turned into a thorn in her heart. Every time someone made that comment about her, her heart would inevitably ache.

‘I’m unworthy of Bryan?

‘That unfaithful bastard is the one unworthy of me!’

Nicole’s voice followed right after his. “Danny, I think Anna looks perfect this way! This party is a grand event. As the sole heir of Lincoln Group, Anna shouldn’t doll herself up too much or others might look down on her! They won’t take her seriously!”

Nicole continued.

“Moreover, Grandmother Dawson is already 70 years old—she must be a traditionalist. I bet she wouldn’t like a woman dressed up too extravagantly.”

Daniel thought about it for a while, then agreed, “You’re right.”

Hearing this, Nicole’s smile grew broader. “Besides, Grandmother Dawson had always loved Anna since she was a child. As long as she attends the party, I’m sure she’ll be delighted.”

Anna gazed at Nicole with cold eyes. Nicole’s expression seemed to be conveying genuine care toward her… Anna had always wanted to keep peace among her family, so she dismissed any hunches she had against Nicole. However, at that moment, she was utterly disgusted by her behavior.

Nonetheless, Anna did not say a word before heading up the stairs.

She could hear Daniel’s whispers from behind. “What’s up with Anna today? She hasn’t said a word today.”

Nicole sighed, putting on a pitiful expression once again. “Maybe Anna thinks that I hadn’t been serving her well… Perhaps that’s why she’s throwing a tantrum.”

“All these years, you’ve given your all to raising her. I know you’ve treated her just like your own. Don’t worry, I’ll find a time to have a proper chat with her,” Daniel assured, consoling Nicole in a tender voice.

With a heavy heart, Anna took a deep breath and marched toward her room.

At night, when Anna went down to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, she overheard Chloe and Nicole’s whispered conversation at the corner of the corridor.

“Chloe, I got this credit card from your father just now. Keep it safe. Tomorrow morning, after Anna leaves for school, I’ll bring you out shopping for some nice clothes. There’ll be tons of big shots at Grandmother Dawson’s party, so make sure you look your best.”

Chloe snuggled in her mother’s embrace. “Mommy, you’re the best!”

Nicole stroke her daughter’s hair. “Anna is graduating soon. When she finally takes over her maternal grandfather’s Lincoln Group, your father will retire, and the dynamic of this family will shift.”

“Daddy had worked so hard for Lincoln Group all these years—why didn’t he leave a backdoor for himself…”

Anna hung her head low. Another cut was made on her broken heart.

Silently, she returned to her room and called Jamie. “Are you free tomorrow? Bring me to the makeover studio your friend owns.”

“Oh, my… Finally! This is splendid news! I’ll see you tomorrow dear! Muah!”