Chapter 3

A Week Later

A quiet shift had settled over the Vance estate.

The staff noticed it first—the unusual stillness of the drawing room where laughter once echoed, the way the air seemed to wait for something unspoken. Aurelia was no longer always alone, but she was quieter. More thoughtful. Observing.

Silea had settled in quickly—perhaps too quickly. She was polite, helpful, never raised her voice, never broke a rule. She followed Aurelia everywhere, just as Herman had requested. But there was a precision in her movements, a stillness in her eyes that didn’t quite belong to a child.

She was perfect.

Too perfect.

Herman stayed cautious.. Looking for anything that could harm his daughter.. Though he treated both of them equally, he could see some shift in both of them.. Like how Silea has become more comfortable in asking for things and how Aurelia has become more observant..

Sometimes he wonder if Aurelia liked the idea of her father spliting affection and giving it to someone else.. But the other time when he sees Aurelia sharing her favorite doll with Silea, he would feel relaxed..

One afternoon, Aurelia sat beneath the magnolia tree in the garden, her mother’s shawl draped over her shoulders. Her coloring book lay open in her lap, half-filled with sun-colored skies and crayon daisies.

Silea knelt nearby, organizing the flower crowns they had just made.

Aurelia couldn't help but notice Silea touching the pink crown she made again and again.. The longing in her eyes stirred something in her..

“You can take the pink one,” Aurelia offered, holding it out to her.Though it was her favourite, she wanted her sister to not feel unfair because she was adopted.. Atleast that's what Silea kept on putting in her mind..

Silea smiled at her..

"Thank you.. "

Silea took it slowly and placed it on her head, and said nothing.

"I have always wanted to wear pink crowns.. But the other kids there wouldn't let me ever.. "

She looked down and Aurelia only felt sad for her sister..

"It's okay.. You can wear the crown here... "

Aurelia said, too naive to understand the scheme.

One Month Later

The days passed with deceptive peace. Spring had painted the estate in a thousand colors—peach blossoms at the windows, lilies curling open by the pond, and the sweet scent of fresh earth clinging to every breeze. From the outside, the Vance estate looked like a picture of charm.

But inside, there were cracks beneath the surface.

Herman noticed it first in small things. The way Aurelia would glance at him before speaking, her voice a little quieter, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. And how Silea had grown bolder—not in disobedience, but in subtle ways. She would suggest ideas before Aurelia could. She would finish her sentences. Sometimes, she even answered on her behalf when guests came calling.

They were still close—inseparable even. But Herman saw the imbalance beginning to form.

Like two flowers growing too close together, one had begun to overshadow the other.

But Silea was only a child right?

Herman sat across the lady once more.. Seeing the troubled face, the lady knew what the trouble was..

"I once warned you.. "

They both sipped the tea..

"But she is not spreading any snob stories, she is being kind and adapting too good.. It's Aurelia.. She is being quieter and not like herself.. "

She stirred her tea thoughtfully.

“It’s admirable what you’ve done. But tread carefully, Herman. Children adapt quickly—but not always in ways we expect. Especially when the balance of love shifts.”

“She’s just a child.”

Lady Mirelle’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Yes. And sometimes, children are the most dangerous of all… especially the ones who learn early how to read a room.”

Herman fell into his thoughts.. The way Silea is becoming, always knowing everything.. Always being perfect.. That's just not a child like.. But Aurelia wasn't complaining too..

Lady Mirella sighed..

"She may not speak with you but what about Aurelia? If she is giving a stranger her comfort things, maybe the story is told to her.. "

Herman's eyes widened and he left without finishing the tea..

THAT NIGHT

Herman walked in the mansion after long day.. And his ears picked up the off key noted of the piano.. Aurelia was a good player.. His feets walked fast to Aurelia's room and from the crack, he saw black hair, not Aurelia's... As he looked in closer, he saw Aurelia sitting on the edge of her bed, staring at Silea blankly..

He pushed open the door, grabbing both of their attention..

"Get up fron there.. "

He ordered Silea who got up immediately and lowered her head.. Aurelia, who was frozen, finally breathed out..

"Why are you playing this? "

His voice harsher than he intended to use..

"I.. I just wanted to.. "

"No.. You don't use my daughter's things.. Specially the ones that passed from her mother.. You want a piano, I'll get you a new one.. Do you get me? "

She nodded and looked up with tear filled eyes tbat could melt iron.. Aurelia glanced at her once and stood up to hug her..

"It's okay papa.. I.. I let her play.. "

It shocked Herman about how defensive Aurelia got.. She clearly didn't like the idea of her playing the piano but couldn't see Silea's tears as well..

"Then don't.. I'll get her a new one.. "

The Next Morning

Breakfast was unusually quiet.

Silea picked at her food without speaking. The glimmer in her eyes from the day before was gone, replaced by a polished mask of silence. She didn’t sulk or pout. She simply sat, straight-backed, composed—as if the scolding had never happened at all.

Aurelia, on the other hand, sat unusually close to her, her spoon resting idly in her bowl. She wasn’t eating either. Herman watched both girls with a knot forming in his gut.

“Papa…” Aurelia finally spoke, voice small. “Can Silea have my red hair ribbon today? Her braid was falling earlier.”

Herman raised his gaze slowly. “She has her own.”

“But she likes this one.”

Silea didn't say a word. She didn’t even look up. And somehow, that made it worse.

“Aurelia,” Herman said gently but firmly, “you don’t have to give away your things just to make someone feel better. You understand that, right?”

Aurelia blinked, looking between her ribbon and her sister. Then, softly, she said, “But if she’s my sister now… doesn’t that mean we share?”

Silea’s lips curved ever so slightly.

It wasn't noticed by anyone.. Slowly she was doing what she wanted to do.

3 months later.

The summer came early.. The sun too bright and hot.. Herman was finally at peace after finding no other fault from Silea.. Aurelia and Silea became inseparable.. They do everything together.. But surprisingly, if Aurelia shows interest in something, it becomes a hobby for Silea.. If Aurelia has something, so does Silea..

Herman didn't mind providing them same as long as Silea doesn't take something that's precious to Aurelia..

Aurelia grinned like crazy from morning that made Herman smile..

"Excited much? "

Herman asked seeing the smiling Aurelia.. She nodded..

"They will stay here like last time, right? "

Herman nodded that made Silea confused..

"Who are they? "

She asked Aurelia, who smiled brightly before answering..

"Owen and Theo! I miss them so much! "

"AURELIA!!! "

Aurelia jumped up from her seat as soon as she heard his voice.. Owen.. He was the first to arrive.. He grew taller and his features sharper than before.. Maybe puberty is getting upto him now..

"Owen!! "

She hugged him before greeting his parents... Silea walked behind her and her demeanor changed into an Innocent girl, catching the couples eyes..

"You must be Silea.. I'm Oscar and this is my wife Janet.. And this is my son.. "

He pointed at Owen who still clinged with Aurelia.. Owen didn't notice Silea at first but when he did, he only waved..

"Hi.. I am Owen.. Nice to meet you.. "

Silea smiled ever so sweetly..

"I am Silea.. Nice to meet you too, Owee.. "

Owen raised a brow at her..

"Owen.. That's Owen, Not Owee.. "

One thing he hated was his name being mispronounced.. Silea's face became red and her eyes watered a bit..

"I... I am sorry.. I'll not call you that again.. "

Aurelia, who already fell for her tears,spoke up..

"It's okay Owen.. Don't be mad.. She doesn't know well.. "

Owen raised a brow at her..

"That's the point.. If she doesn't know, she shouldn't say it.. "

Aurelia tried to defend but Owen dragged her away, leaving Silea behind who was gritting her teeth.. Maybe Oscar didn't notice but Janet noticed it immediately.. But she didn't say anything and walked away, leaving her alone..

"He.... He'll be mine like everything she has.. "