Chapter 1: Marry him
"Slap!"
Layla's cheek burned with the sting, her head bowed in shame. She cradled her cheek, her fingers trembling as she clutched her dress tightly. "I didn't do it," she whispered, her voice quivering with the effort to hold back tears. "I never stole anything from Orabela's room."
"She's lying!" Orabela's voice rang out, laced with indignation as she looked pointedly at their father. "This gold hairpin, the one Mom gave me yesterday, was found under her bed. Layla's mother discovered it herself," she added while accusing her.
Darius Rosenzweig turned to his mistress. "Is this true, Seraphina?"
Seraphina nodded at him. "Yes, I found it there myself. I will ensure Layla is properly disciplined," she promised.
Layla's heart sank and she looked up at her mother with a gaze of disbelief. But then, her mother never stood for her. She would always support Orabela's and her lies.
"I didn't steal it, Dad," she pleaded, her voice breaking this time. "I have no interest in such petty things. Someone's trying to frame me. Please, believe me."
"More lies," Orabela's mother, Miriam Rosenzweig, interjected with a sneer. She was the one who slapped her before. Turning to Darius, she said, "I've told you time and again, she doesn't belong here. Your illegitimate daughter is nothing but trouble for Orabela. She poisons everything she touches," she spat, her words dripping with venom.
Each word struck Layla like a dagger, cutting deep into her already wounded heart. She had become the family scapegoat, blamed for every misfortune.