Chapter 1

SABRINA

I was in the kitchen washing plates when I heard the doorbell ring. Loud. Sharp. The kind of ring that tells you something important is about to happen.

Clarissa’s heels tapped fast against the tiled floor as she opened the door.

“Yes?” she said with that fake sweet voice she used for strangers.

“I’m Mr. Hart. Legal representative of the George family. Mr. Theo George sent me here on his behalf, he wanted to be here but something came up.”

I froze. Theo George? The name sounded like thunder in my chest.

He was the young billionaire everyone whispered about. Powerful. Untouchable. And apparently—I am sure he is looking for a wife? Because we have no business with George and their lawyer is here because of something important.

I wiped my hands and stepped into the living room just in time to see Rory strut down the stairs in her tiny shorts, smacking her gum like she owned the place.

The lawyer pulled out a document. “Mr. Theo has requested the hand of the eldest daughter of the Brown family for marriage. He made it clear—he wants the daughter with the butterfly birthmark.”

I knew it.

Rory laughed. “Is it a must that he marries the eldest? I mean… they are basically the same, and they are both siblings, I can just tell you who is best between the both of them.”

Mr. Hart looked at her, unimpressed. “No. Mr. Theo specifically asked for the eldest daughter. And she must have the butterfly mark. He said that was what he wanted and he also said he will pay a huge amount of money if you can let him marry your daughter.”

Rory’s jaw tightened. She didn’t say anything.

I did.

“I—”

“She’s busy,” Clarissa cut in before I could finish. “Such a sudden proposal needs discussion, of course. I’ll speak to both my daughters and get back to you.”

“But I need to confirm who the eldest daughter is,” the lawyer pressed, his eyes scanning both of us. “It must be the daughter with the butterfly mark. Mr. Theo was very clear.”

I stepped forward again. “I—”

Rory shoved me hard.

“You’re burning the food.”

I blinked. “I didn’t even turn the—”

“Check it!” Clarissa snapped like I was some servant in her house.

Mr. Hart sighed and adjusted his glasses. “Well, I’ve delivered the message. The necessary dresses and documents will arrive this evening. The bride will be picked up tomorrow morning by Mr. Theo’s driver. Kindly make sure she’s ready and please, she has to be the one with the butterfly mark.”

Clarissa’s smile returned. “Absolutely, thank you.”

As soon as the door shut behind him, Rory turned to our stepmother.

“Butterfly mark? What the hell is that?”

Clarissa turned slowly, her smile gone now. “You idiot. She has it.” She pointed at me like I was trash under her shoe.

Rory’s eyes narrowed at me. “Where is it?”

I didn’t answer.

Clarissa stormed toward me, her voice low and cold. “Sabrina. Go upstairs. Now.”

“But I—”

“I said now!” she snapped, like she always did when I was about to ruin her perfect little lies.

So I walked.

Not because I was scared—but because I had learned long ago that in this house, silence was safer than truth.

But inside, my chest was burning.

I had waited so long for something good to finally find me.

And the moment it did, they were already trying to steal it.

As I climbed the stairs, I heard Rory whispering downstairs.

“We need to do something. Fast.”

Clarissa’s voice followed. “Don’t worry. She won’t be a problem for long.”

“But we don’t even know where the shoulder part was.” Rory said, panicking. 

“Relax dear.” Clarissa said firmly.

Rory paused. “Mom, I have to be his bride and not Sabrina. Theo is a very rich businessman and with him I will live the good life I have always wanted. Sabrina can always marry a mechanic or bus driver, I don’t care but this bride has to be me.” 

I was barely in my room for five minutes when the door flew open like a storm.

Clarissa stood there, arms crossed, face tight with the kind of smile that wasn’t a smile at all.

“Take off your sweater,” she said.

I frowned. “What?”

“Don’t act stupid. Show me the damn tattoo or whatever.”

I took a step back. “No it’s not a tattoo, it’s a birthmark.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”

“I said no.”

Rory barged in behind her, eyes wild. “Why should you get Theo George? You? You don’t even wear lip gloss, Sabrina!”

“That’s enough, both of you,” I snapped, my voice shaking. “I’m not a product you get to sell to the highest bidder.”

Clarissa stormed forward so fast I barely had time to react. She slapped me hard across the face.

The sound echoed.

I staggered, hand flying to my cheek.

“You ungrateful little rat!” she spat. “Do you think the universe owes you anything? Everything you have—I gave it to you.”

“My father owns everything so you gave me nothing, all you gave me was a hell to survive,” I muttered through gritted teeth.

Wrong move.

Rory lunged. “Where is the mark? Show it, or I swear—”

“No!” I yelled, backing up.

But I didn’t get far.

Rory grabbed my arms while Clarissa yanked at my sweater. I kicked, twisted, shouted—but they didn’t stop.

They ripped the sweater off. Then the tank top.

My shoulder was bare. The butterfly tattoo, soft and dark just under my collarbone, gleamed under the light.

Rory stared. Her jaw clenched. “It’s real.”

Clarissa didn’t say anything at first.

She just looked at me like I was something she needed to destroy.

Then she leaned in close.

And what she said next froze the blood in my veins.

“Erase this mark.”

I stared at her, lips parted, heart pounding.

“What?” I whispered.

“You heard me,” she hissed. “Get rid of it. I don’t care how—burn it, cut it off, I don’t give a damn. You’re not going anywhere tomorrow.”

Rory smirked behind her. “Don’t worry, sis. I’ll take very good care of your billionaire fiancé.”