Chapter 2

By evening, Jackson dropped me off at my parents' mansion.

He leaned in, kissed the corner of my mouth—hard. "Don't embarrass me, baby. Act like a proper lady tonight."

The party was supposed to be about Lina going back to Yale for grad school.

It was actually just a setup to humiliate me.

Yeah, she got into Yale Law—but still clung to Jackson's arm like she was the wife.

Smart on paper, shameless in heels.

Beaming, she announced, "I'm Jackson's new legal advisor."

Exactly what he wanted—someone with a Yale pedigree to prop him up in elite circles like he belonged there.

He needed her for offshore accounts, shady wire transfers, and handshake deals in dark corners.

They weren't in love. They were using each other—he wanted clout, she wanted power.

Our parents had moved to the countryside for "health" reasons. Not a single blood relative showed up.

Lina stepped onto the stage in a blood-red off-shoulder gown, soaking up the spotlight. Glass raised.

"My sister's finally home. She doesn't need your pity—she deserves your applause."

I stood frozen in the crowd, every stare burning through me. Judging. Digging. Shame crawled up my spine like it never left.

Then the lights cut. A massive screen dropped from the ceiling.

She smiled. "Here's a little surprise."

The second the video started, my stomach sank.

Grainy footage—me at thirteen, cornered behind the orphanage, crying on the ground.

Then eighteen, fumbling drinks in some greasy bar, getting screamed at by a drunk.

Every cracked moment I thought I'd buried was stitched into one sick "inspirational" reel.

"I really admire you, Bella." Lina clinked her glass and strolled toward me, eyes gleaming with fake warmth. "How did you survive all that?

"To your lowly but stubborn dignity."

My hands went numb. I wanted to disappear.

She leaned close. "Do you hate me?"

Tears shimmered in her eyes, but her voice cut like glass. "We're sisters, but you've never even called."

She wiped her eyes like she was auditioning for an Oscar. "I know I got all of Mom and Dad's love. But hey—love can't be forced, right?

"Mom's sick. You haven't shown your face once. If you keep running, how am I supposed to help you fix things?"

I opened my mouth. Nothing came out.

Then Jackson slid in, all charm, arm around me like a leash. "Isabella's still learning how to handle relationships. When she's ready, I'll take her to apologize—properly."

I pushed through the crowd without looking back, heading for the hallway.

I just needed air. A corner. Anything.

"Oh, how pitiful." Lina's voice trailed after me.

She followed, eyes sweeping over me. "This dress... it's Mom's, right? You used to say you'd wear it at your wedding."

She smiled, all sugar and spite. "Too bad she didn't even show up."

My fists clenched.

"You know," she kept going, "everyone used to call us twin princesses."

She glanced down at her gown. "But you? You were always the flawed one. Bet those missing years were brutal—juggling jobs, wiping tables, mopping floors, barely covering rent.

"After your adoptive mom pulled you outta that group home, you didn't even care Mom was sick. Just kept sending money to that dying woman instead."

I fought to keep my face blank.

"You only ever told one person, right? Your precious Jackson." Her voice dropped. "Wanna know how he described you? Cheap. Obedient. A puppet he could mess with however he wanted."

Her stare cut right through me.

I could barely breathe.

She leaned in, voice like a devil's whisper. "Know why he could barely stand to touch you? Because he was in love with me."

My stomach turned.

"You think you won? He used you, Bella. Just a stand-in while I was gone. We've got the same face—but he's only ever wanted me."

She stepped closer, relentless. "He's coming to my place tonight."

Crash.

Her glass shattered on the floor—on purpose.

"He'll kiss me, hold me, take me—just like always." She brushed her lips near my ear. "Those 'business trips' on your anniversaries? Wanna know where he went?"

I couldn't move.

"Paris," she whispered, licking her lips. "Your honeymoon suite. Just not with you."

My breath caught.

"Remember that pink satin dress he gave you last year?"

I nodded, numb.

"I wore it while Jackson and I tried every position we could think of. All night. Then I boxed it up and sent it back to you."

My knees gave out. I barely caught myself.

'You're my one true love, Bella.'

Jackson's voice echoed in my head like poison.

Lina just watched me fall apart—and smiled.

"I'm going to replace you. Completely."