CHAPTER TWO: BEHIND HER SMILE

One may simply think I don't like Emily because everyone will always choose her over me, but that's not all there is to it. I've seen the way she behaves toward people she thinks are beneath her. I'm not saying I'm the nicest person in the world. People sometimes call me mean, but I don't look down on people based on their social status. I find that sickening.

I'm a year older than Emily, so I'm, in a sense, supposed to be responsible for her. Anything that goes wrong on Emily's part, I'm the one who gets blamed for it. I remember when we were younger and were just learning how to run in our wolf forms. Emily ran toward the woods and broke her leg. I was blamed relentlessly, even though I'd told her not to run that way.

Then there's the way she always finds a way to remind me how perfect she is compared to me and how I don't belong in their life. But I can't really blame her because, to an extent, she's right. I don't belong in their life. I was an obstacle in their perfect little family.

The servants had just cleared the table, and my two brothers, Chris and Julian, were already rushing inside to play video games. Unlike Emily, I actually loved my brothers. They were the main reason I still tolerated my family.

My step-grandmother, Chrystal, followed them inside. I didn't really have an opinion about her. She was a lot like Donna. She tolerated me, barely acknowledged me, and acted as though my existence didn't matter. Honestly, I was fine with that.

My dad and Donna left next, and soon it was just Emily and me.

I waited for her usual condescending remarks because I knew they were coming. Sure enough, she turned toward me with a smile.

"Anna, you really should stop being jealous of me. I saw the way you were behaving when I mentioned my engagement announcement with Devon, and I know you wish you were the one."

I didn't bother replying, so she continued. "Devon has a cousin, and he's quite attractive. I can introduce you two. You won't become queen like me, but at least you'll become part of the royal family, even though you'll still have to answer to me."

"I don't have time for your nonsense this evening, Emily. I'm tired, and I don't care about your soon to be royal status," I replied.

She laughed. "Oh, Anna, I know you care. You're just too prideful to admit it. I don't blame you, though, because I can't imagine being in your shoes. Quite pathetic, if you ask me. Nobody likes you, and you'll always be everyone's second choice. Even Dad will always choose me over you."

With that, she left the garden laughing.

I stayed there for a while because, once again, she was right.

I eventually went upstairs to my room, brushed my teeth, and picked up my phone to text my best friend, Chloe, reminding her that we were supposed to go to the mall the next day to get some hair care supplies. She replied that she couldn't because she had classes.

Chloe was in her final year of college, while I had graduated the previous year with a business degree and now worked at my dad's company.

I told her it was fine and that I'd just go by myself. She said she was going back to reading, and I put my phone down.

I didn't feel like sleeping, though. I kept thinking about everything Emily had said to me. Her words kept replaying in my head, especially the part about always being everyone's second choice.

Maybe she was right. Maybe Emily would always have everything the perfect family, the perfect life, and the perfect future.

But as I stared at the ceiling, I couldn't help wondering if there was a way to make her eat her words.

The next evening, I went downstairs for dinner and was relieved to see that we weren't eating in the garden. I made myself a plate of steak and mashed potatoes and settled into my seat, hoping for a quiet meal.

That hope didn't last long.

Donna started talking about the royal celebration again, and I nearly groaned. It seemed like that was the only thing anyone in this house could talk about.

My dad looked around the table. "Has everyone gotten what they're wearing for the celebration?"

"I'm not sure if I'm going," I said.

Donna immediately looked at me. "What do you mean you're not going? It's your sister's engagement announcement. It would be incredibly rude not to attend."

Emily gave me her usual innocent expression. "It would be nice if Anna came. She's my sister, after all."

I almost laughed.

Donna shook her head. "You need to stop being jealous of your sister. If you don't come, everyone will think you hate her."

"I don't hate her."

"Then you'll come," my dad said firmly.

I sighed. There was no point arguing. "Fine. I'll attend."

After dinner, I went upstairs, but I quickly became bored. I decided to go to the stables instead. Apart from boxing, riding was one of my favorite things to do. There was something peaceful about riding across the estate with nobody bothering me.

I put my horse back in her stall and headed toward the house.

I was hungry when I got inside, so I went looking for cookies. They weren't in the main pantry, which meant I had to use the smaller one.

I hated that pantry. I was claustrophobic, and I hated the dark. The light inside wasn't working either, so I quickly searched for the cookies, determined to get out as soon as possible.

I found them and turned toward the door.

It slammed shut behind me.

I froze before rushing toward it and grabbing the handle. It wouldn't open.

My breathing immediately became faster.

"No."

I pulled the handle again, but it was locked.

Suddenly, I wasn't in the pantry anymore. I was eight years old again, trapped in that tiny closet after that man had taken me. I remembered the darkness, the fear, and the two days I'd spent locked inside.

I started banging on the door.

"Help! Somebody help me!"

No one answered.

I screamed louder until I heard footsteps approaching. The door suddenly opened, and my dad was standing there.

"Anna!"

He immediately pulled me into his arms. "It's okay. You're safe."

I clung to him, trying to calm my breathing. When I finally looked around, everyone was there, Donna, my brothers, the servants, and Emily.

"Who locked the door?" I asked.

Nobody answered.

Then I saw Emily.

She was standing behind Donna with a small smirk on her face.

My stomach dropped.

She knew.

She knew exactly how much I hated small, dark spaces. She knew what had happened to me when I was eight, and she'd still done it.

I looked away and forced myself to speak.

"I'm fine, Dad."

But I wasn't fine.

I clenched my fists as I thought about Emily's smirk.

"That bitch."

I wasn't going to cry over her. I wasn't going to let her think she'd scared me into submission either. Emily and I had been at each other's throats for years, and I had never been the type to sit quietly while she insulted me.

But this was different.

She knew about my fear. She knew exactly what had happened to me when I was eight, and she had deliberately locked me in that pantry anyway.

She wanted to hurt me.

Fine.

She had succeeded.

But if Emily thought I was going to let her get away with it, she clearly didn't know me at all.

I wiped the last of the tears from my face and stared at myself in the mirror.

"Enjoy your perfect little life while it lasts, Emily."

Because if she wanted to play dirty, I could play dirty too.