Chapter 4
Early the next morning, I was jolted awake by a loud commotion.
The main hall was packed with New York’s elite, all here to celebrate my birthday.
I froze.
I hadn’t celebrated a birthday in ten years, ever since Margareth passed
away.
Looking around, I noticed every portrait of Margareth on the walls had been replaced by pictures of Evelyn.
The butler fawned, “It was the family’s idea. He said Ms. Rachel would be happy to see it.”
The guests whispered among themselves.
“Did you hear? All those golden properties Mrs. Evan left went straight to Ms. Scott.”
“Can you believe it? The wife who built the empire gets nothing, and the side chick walks away with it all.”
“Hey, she’s married to him now. Like it or not.”
Evelyn leaned weakly against Jack’s shoulder, wiping tears as she said, “I know you don’t like me, but today’s a happy day. I want to make a small wish. Let me take care of Jack for the rest of his life and look after this family like your mother would have.”
She never once mentioned that today was also Margareth’s death
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anniversary.
Seeing my red–rimmed eyes, Jack casually smoothed things over.
“Evelyn’s part of the family now. Treat her accordingly. She’s only trying
to do something nice by organizing your birthday. Be gracious.”
Before he even finished, Rachel appeared, arm–in–arm with Ryan.
“Happy birthday, my princess.”
Ryan spoke with deep affection, handing me a black and gold gift box.
“Oh wow! That’s from Ellington Auctions, Heart of True Love edition!” a guest gasped.
“Last month, some mystery buyer dropped a fortune on it. Turns out it was Mr. Morgan!”
“What a romantic and princely act! Sarah really hit the jackpot!”
But I didn’t care.
No grand finale collectible, no romantic prince, none of it mattered.
What caught my eye was the maternity dress Rachel was wearing.
That dress my mom had poured her last breath and every stitch into making it for me.
“Where did you get that dress?”
My voice trembled as I stared her down.
Rachel’s eyes instantly filled with tears, and she tried to hide behind. Ryan.
The guests gasped. No one expected me to publicly embarrass Ryan like
Chapter 4
this.
His voice was gentle but firm.
“Sarah, don’t make a scene. If you like this design, I’ll have the designer come over tomorrow and make you a new one, okay?”
But I heard nothing. I lunged straight at Rachel.
Ryan grabbed my shoulder. “Sarah! Calm down! You’re pregnant!”
“Ah!”
Rachel suddenly dropped to her knees, ripping at her dress’s neckline like
crazy.
“I know you look down on us! You always bullied me!”
She used to fake injuries and blame me for them. Everyone believed her.
Since then, everyone believed I was spoiled, arrogant, and a bully.
The guests whispered, eyes full of disdain.
“She was just as bossy as ever.
“She’s still family, even if she’s from an affair.”
Ryan took off his suit jacket and wrapped it around Rachel’s shoulders. For the first time, he looked cold toward me.
“Sarah, apologize.”
I didn’t respond.
Watching my mom’s legacy being torn apart, my vision blurred.
Ryan stared, shocked, reaching out to steady me. “Sarah.”
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But just then, Rachel pretended to help me, only to shove me hard.
I slammed my lower back against the metal railing, pain exploding through me.
Rachel, meanwhile, crashed face–first into the cake, cream covering her in a pitiful mess.
“Why did you push me?”
“Rachel!”
Ryan and Jack rushed to her side immediately, but no one noticed the blood seeping between my legs.
Ryan wrapped Rachel in his jacket, and Jack grabbed Evelyn’s arm.
A crowd swarmed toward the hospital.
Before leaving, Ryan glanced back at me, his eyes full of disappointment.
“Sarah, I’ve spoiled you rotten. You really need to think about that.”
The banquet hall emptied in an instant.
I shakily called the hospital, only to be told all my backup cards had been frozen.
Staring at the Heart of True Love on the floor, I laughed through tears.
Turns out his so–called love was just a way to cage me.
He gave me the best cage and the most expensive food. Made me feel like a princess.
But the moment I stepped out of line, he cut me off completely, waiting for me to crawl back.
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That kind of love I refuse to accept any more.
