Chapter 2

The next day was my birthday.

As expected, nobody said a word. Not one "Happy Birthday."

I walked to the window and pulled back the curtains.

The estate grounds were empty. The gardeners, the armed guards—all gone.

The whole villa was dead silent.

Of course. They were all at the family’s private event manor.

Getting everything perfect for their "Treasure."

I pulled open my bedroom door without a sound.

On the carpet was a familiar box.

I bent down, picked it up. Opened it.

Inside lay a black card with no spending limit.

No note. No half-assed birthday wish.

Exactly like the last ten years.

"Go buy yourself something nice." My father's charity echoed in my head.

I laughed. A cold sound.

I pinched the black card between my fingers. Walked to the fireplace.

And tossed it in.

The flames ate the plastic, releasing a bitter, chemical smell.

After I called them out last night, they couldn't even be bothered to pretend anymore.

I walked downstairs. My mother's excited voice drifted from the living room.

"Yes, change all the crystal chandeliers to the brightest ones! I want the entire hall to look like a palace!"

"Bianca loves that romantic atmosphere. She’s going to die when she sees it!"

The study doors burst open. My father strode out.

"Open the wine cellar," he barked at the butler. "Move our entire private collection to the manor. Anyone screws up tonight, I'll break them."

I stood in the shadows of the staircase, watching my own parents.

Watching them pour everything they had into another girl's birthday.

The last, pathetic shred of hope inside me turned to ash.

I turned and went back upstairs.

At the top of the landing, I ran right into Nico.

He froze when he saw me.

"Sis..." He looked at me, his eyes a mess of conflict. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

"Move," I said. My voice was frozen.

"Listen to me." He stepped in front of me, blocking my way. He squeezed out the words. "You… trust me."

"Trust you?" A cruel smile touched my lips. My eyes mocked him. "Trust you to help them play me for a fool?"

"I'm not! It's not what you think…"

"Get out of my way."

I shoved past him. Didn't look back.

At noon, the roar of an engine shattered the villa's silence.

A massive transport truck was parked at the main gate.

The ramp slowly lowered.

A brand new, fiery red Ferrari rolled off.

The fresh paint gleamed. A massive middle finger to me.

It was Bianca's birthday present.

I stood at my window, my gaze drifting past the Ferrari to the back of the garage.

An old Alfa Romeo sat there.

It was the car I'd driven for ten years. The engine was shot.

My father had promised me he'd get it fixed.

He'd been putting it off for five years.

And Bianca? She gets a new Ferrari without lifting a finger.

A real slap in the face.

Three o'clock.

I took a shower. Sat at my vanity.

I painted my lips a sharp, aggressive red. Dark, smoky eyes.

I picked out my most dramatic black dress. Slipped into my five-inch Louboutins.

You built me such a beautiful stage.

It'd be a shame not to make an entrance.

I grabbed the spare car keys and drove straight to the Cassano event manor.

The gates were wide open. A line of luxury cars snaked up the drive.

The lawns were decorated with giant photos of Bianca's smiling face.

Balloons floated everywhere. "Happy Birthday to My Treasure."

I parked my car. Pulled out my phone. I sent a text to Nico.

"Time to see about that 'surprise.'"

Message sent.

I shoved the grand ballroom doors open. Hard.

The hall was a sea of gold and light, a real palace.

In the center of the crowd, my mother gently took Bianca's wrist. She fastened a glittering diamond bracelet around it.

"I had this commissioned just for you. Only you deserve it," my mother said, her face glowing with affection.

"Thank you, Mrs. Cassano!" Bianca cooed, covering her mouth in a show of shyness.

Then, my father, the great Don Vincenzo, strode forward.

He handed Bianca a golden key.

The deed to a private vineyard the family owned in Tuscany.

"A proper coming-of-age gift for my treasure," my father boomed, his voice full of a rare tenderness.

The crowd erupted in applause, in gasps of envy.

"Miss Bianca is so lucky!"

"To be this loved by the Cassano family… it's something you can only dream of!"

I stood in the shadows of the entrance. I lifted my phone. I hit record.

The camera captured the whole happy family scene.

Recording stopped. Saved.

I dropped my phone in my clutch. Took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.

And I walked out of the shadows, into the blinding light, straight for my "family."