Chapter 1: What a Psycho
"I should have never come here," Annabelle confessed, tears streaming down her innocent face. She looked every bit the part of Cinderella in her elegant blue gown, her petite frame trembling under Evelyn's cold gaze.
"I'm sorry, Evelyn. This is all my fault," Annabelle continued, lowering her head. Her sniffles grew louder, drawing curious glances from the guests downstairs.
Evelyn clenched her jaw, feeling a familiar surge of irritation. "Oh, not again," she muttered under her breath.
Their father had thrown a grand party tonight to celebrate his deal with Reign Constructions, the country's richest conglomerate. Yet, amidst the clinking glasses and murmured congratulations, everyone seemed more interested in the scandalous rumors about Evelyn—the alleged fake daughter. Seeking solace, she decided to go upstairs, only to be followed by her supposedly sweet sister, ready to stir up a scene again.
"Trust me, Evelyn. Vincent and I... we're just friends. He feels sorry for me. Sorry for how I was tortured by your real mother all these years," Annabelle continued, her voice shaky. "There is nothing romantic going on between us. Please, don't be angry at me," she pleaded, her cries growing louder with each word.
Evelyn's fingers curled into fists at her sides, her patience wearing thin. If this had been months ago, she might have embraced and comforted this true daughter of the Wright family—the one switched at birth with her. But now, she had grown tired of this white lotus and her constant dramas, each one ployed to paint her as the evil, salty bitch! The urge to scratch Annabelle's face and feel a twisted sense of satisfaction grew within her, but she forced herself to stay calm.
"I'm not, Annabelle. Go enjoy the party," Evelyn replied coolly, turning to leave. But Annabelle grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly, sending a jolt of irritation up her arm.
"Tell me what to do! How can I gain your trust and be a good sister to you, Evelyn? I swear I will do anything—"
"Would you really do anything?" Evelyn cut her off, her tone icy. Her piercing gaze bore into Annabelle's, crumbling her earlier bravado and forcing her to look away.