Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Alice’s POV

I was shot in the chest, blood trickling from my mouth. And the one who held the gun…was the man I loved. My eyes widened, instinctively clutching my chest. I crumpled to the ground, lying helplessly beside Nancy, my maid, who was shot clean in the head while trying to protect me. Involuntary tears streamed down my face as regret, unwillingness and bitterness washed over me. “If only second chances existed,” I thought to myself. “I’ll make them pay.” Then, darkness swallowed me.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

Staring back at the mirror, I couldn’t help but smile, gratitude filling my heart. I had everything. A comfortable home, a handsome fiancé and a family that loved me dearly. What else could a girl ask for?

“You look stunning, Miss Alice,” Nancy, my personal maid, stated, her eyes shining in adoration.

“Thank you, Nancy,” I replied, my smile becoming wider. “Shall we?”

“Yes, Miss Alice.” Then, she extended a hand, gracefully pulling me up from my golden chair. Nancy shifted strands of my platinum blonde hair to the side, placing a small crystal necklace on my neck.

With a raised chin, and straight posture, I elegantly walked down the stairs. A commotion erupted, a wave of gasps and whispers rippling through the crowd. Conversations died mid-sentence, their gazes fixed on me.

“Happy 21st birthday, little sis,” a low and calm voice resonated, forcing everyone to stop and listen. Nathan, my brother, handed me a designer bag and another round of gasps echoed in the magnificent hall.

“Oh my goodness! Is that what I think it is?” A high-pitched shriek cut through the air. The bag in my hand was the latest collection of the STB brand, worth millions of dollars. A flicker of unconcealed envy shone in the eyes of the ladies, staring at the other luxurious gifts piled on the table. Warmth spread over me, my face beaming with a smile. “Thank you so much Nate,” I said, pulling him into a tight hug. “Anything for you, little sis.”

laughter that felt forced echoed, making me sick to my stomach. The thick scent of roses and expensive perfumes lingered in the air. The ladies, dressed to kill in their finest gowns, hoping to draw the attention of a wealthier man.

At the sight of Michael, my fiancé, my heart skipped a beat. He arrived with a silent, heavy presence, making the air instantly thinner. His midnight suit fitted his slim physique and broad shoulders, becoming one with him.

“Oh, heavens! Is that Michael Blackwood?”

Michael’s expression remained unfazed, his gaze locked on me, as if I was the only thing that mattered. He wasn’t just my fiancé; he was also my best friend.

He slowly lifted my hand, his soft lips brushing against it, sending a shiver down my spine.

“May I have this dance with you?” He asked, his deep, husky voice, making a blush bloom on my face. He carefully led me onto the dance floor, our body swaying with perfect rhythm, to a slow melodic tune. He drew me close, spinning me around in a smooth flow. Uncontrolled feelings surged through me, my heart beating just for him. The world faded, leaving us lost in the music. “Happy birthday, sweetie,” he whispered in my ear. I rested my head against his chest, inhaling the sweet scent of peppermint and expensive cologne.

His phone beeped, a cold glint flickered in his eyes, disappearing as soon as it appeared. “Alice, I have something to attend to,” he said, kissing my forehead. My fingers tightened around his sleeve. “Please, baby. I’ll be right back.” Without saying another word, he left, leaving me all alone.

My gaze scanned through the crowd, searching for my parents. Unfortunately, they were not here. A knot formed in my stomach. A small crowd gathered around me, trying to befriend me with a smile that didn’t reach their eyes. The polite nods and sweet words didn’t feel real, their gazes sharp, calculating. They didn’t care about me but only what my name could offer. I played along, my cheeks ached from pretending.

Then, the music stopped. The chatter died. All eyes turned to her. A woman who had a striking resemblance to my mother. She didn’t just walk, she arrived. Each step, slow and deliberate. She was clad in an emerald gown, her make up, neatly done. I wondered if I suddenly had a distant cousin my family never told me about.

My father arrived, standing beside my mother. His face, a mask of carefully constructed composure. “Hello, everyone.” His deep voice pierced through the silence. “I’d like y’all to meet someone special.” An unsettling feeling rose in my chest. “Our very beloved daughter…Victoria Sterling.”

Everywhere became quiet like a graveyard, the air thick with unspoken questions.

I froze. My wine glass slipped from my fingers, shattering against the floor. The world tilted, my body trembling uncontrollably.

He continued, his gaze sweeping through the crowd, “She’s not just a member of the family. But is also the rightful Heiress to the Sterling legacy.”

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. His words were like a slap to my face, each syllable piercing my heart. It wasn’t long before whispers began.

“Wait, so Alice was never their biological daughter?”

“What the hell is happening?!”

“If she’s the real heiress, why is she just showing up now? Where had she been all these while?”

The whispers around mirrored the exact questions in my mind. I shifted my gaze to my mother, who couldn’t look me in the eye. Her face, usually full of bright smiles, was replaced with a forced, unnatural grin. “Alice,” she whispered, her voice coming out strained. “Please. It was all a mistake.”

“A mistake?” I scoffed in my head, forcing back the tears that threatened to fall. My entire life, my origin, was all built on lies. In a single day, I had become a stranger in the place I once called home.