Chapter Two – Cast Aside

As soon as I stepped out of the building, I walked fast, almost running. The early morning breeze rushed against my face, but all it did was remind me of last night—the betrayal, the shame and the sex from last night.

My chest tightened. I sighed and waved down a cab, desperate to go home.

When I arrived, I froze. The house was quiet—too quiet. No tantrums. No Marielle shouting at the maids. No whispers behind doors. Just silence. A heavy, suffocating silence that pressed against my chest.

I stepped into the living room, my heart pounding so loud it echoed in my ears. Suddenly, a sharp pain exploded across my face. My vision blurred, and I stumbled back, clutching my cheek.

“M-Mum?” My voice shook.

Her hand rose again, ready to strike. I shut my eyes tight, bracing for the blow. But it never came.

Instead, Marielle’s voice floated through the silence, soft and trembling as she knelt beside our mother. “Mum… it’s okay,” she whispered, fake tears streaming down her cheeks.

Just like that, my mother’s rage melted. She dropped her hand and pulled Marielle into her arms as if she were some fragile jewel. I stood frozen, lips parting to speak—but my father’s voice cut through the room.

“You are a disappointment,” he said, his tone thick with disgust. “How could you do this to your own sister?”

My stomach dropped. My eyes darted between them, panic rising. “What’s going on?” My voice cracked.

Marielle turned, her eyes glittering, her lips curling. “I told them the truth.”

“The truth?” My heart hammered against my ribs.

Her smirk widened. “Adrian was mine first. He loved me before you forced him into an engagement. And now that he’s back with me, you can’t stand it.”

Her words struck harder than any slap. My world tilted. Heat rushed up my body, clouding my head. Fury boiled in my chest, colliding with disbelief until I could barely breathe.

“Are you insane?” I shouted, my whole body trembling. “I caught you in bed with my fiancé! And instead of apologizing, you twist it into this—this lie?”

My mother’s face twisted with anger. Her hand lashed out again, striking me hard across the cheek. “Stop disgracing this family with your filth!”

The sting burned, but her words cut deeper. I fell to the floor, my knees buckling. My father didn’t even flinch.

“The wedding is off,” he declared coldly. “Marielle’s engagement party will be held in a week.”

Then he turned and walked away, tapping his cane as if he hadn’t just shattered me.

My mother remained, cradling Marielle against her chest. “I’m so sorry you had to suffer, baby. Don’t worry—Daddy and I will protect you.”

Protect her? From me?

My throat burned. My chest ached. Nobody asked for my side. Nobody cared. I forced myself to my feet, every step heavier than the last, and dragged myself upstairs.

In my room, I shut the door and collapsed onto the cold marble floor. My tears spilled hot and fast, soaking my hands as I buried my face in them.

Memories crashed in—childhood punishments for things I hadn’t done, Marielle always chosen over me, my voice never heard. She lied, and I was punished. Always. And now she had taken Adrian too.

Adrian… My chest squeezed tighter. I had trusted him. I gave him everything—my time, my loyalty. I even worked for his company without pay when it was falling apart. He was supposed to be my safe place. My home.

But now it was gone. Everything was gone.

I sobbed until my chest hurt, until I could barely breathe. For a moment, I wished I could disappear completely.

But somewhere deep inside, past the heartbreak and pain, something shifted. A spark flickered in the darkness. Faint, but fierce.

Enough.

No more being the quiet one. No more being the forgotten daughter. No more being the girl they disregarded without a thought.

I wiped my tears with shaky hands, my vision still blurred, but clear enough to know one thing:

They thought I’d stay broken.

They were wrong.

I would show them and when the time came, none of them would see me coming.