Orlando and Romina's engagement party was a lavish affair.

At the party, Romina gave a speech thanking the Bennetts for twenty years of love and care.

She wept with emotion, like she was accepting an award onstage.

The guests nodded their approval. "Adopted, but truly closer than blood."

Someone glanced at me and murmured:

"Heard that one's the biological daughter? Looks pretty ordinary to me."

"Raised by poor folks, after all. No breeding in her."

Orlando held Romina close, tenderly wiping away her tears.

I thought I'd let it all go.

But seeing it play out in front of me, my chest still ached, faint and dull.

The voices around me blurred, like I was hearing them through glass.

I couldn't watch anymore. I got up to go back to my room.

The moment I pushed the door open, I stopped cold.

The room had been torn apart, every drawer hanging open.

I lunged for the nightstand.

The jade bracelet my adoptive mother left me was gone.

I rushed back to the ballroom.

In the crowd, Romina was showing off the bracelet on her wrist. "Pretty, isn't it? My sister let me borrow it."

I walked over, voice trembling. "Give it back."

Romina startled like I'd frightened her, her knees buckling, and the whole of her went down.

The bracelet on her wrist struck the floor hard.

Crack.

It split into pieces.

Romina covered her mouth, face white. "Sister... I, I didn't mean to..."

The guests whispered, pointing at me like I was the punchline of a joke.

Orlando came over.

First thing he did was gently help Romina up. Then he nudged the shattered pieces aside with the toe of his shoe.

"It's just a bracelet. Name your price."

My eyes burned. I crouched down and gathered the pieces one by one.

A shard sliced my finger. The blood that welled up felt like it was coming straight from my heart.

"My adoptive mother left me this."

My voice shook beyond my control. "It's the last thing she gave me before she died."

Orlando pressed his lips together.

He knew what she meant to me.

Three years ago, when she passed, I nearly fell apart. He was the one who stayed with me through that darkness.

But Romina only cried harder.

Orlando drew her into his arms and soothed her softly. "Don't cry. It hurts me to see it. There, now."

My mother walked up. "Ophelia, you're the one who scared Romina. Stop causing scenes."

My father spoke too. "It's just a bracelet, and a cheap-looking one at that. I'll buy you ten of them."

I found a bag and carefully tucked the broken pieces inside.

This wasn't something money could fix anymore.

I walked up to Romina, raised my hand, and slapped her across the face.

Smack!

The whole room fell dead silent.

Orlando was the first to react. He swung his hand up.

Smack!

He slapped me back.

My cheek burned, and the taste of rust filled my mouth.

I turned my head back to look at him. His face had the cruelty of a circling vulture.

"Ophelia. You're not fit to insult my Donna."

[oh my god! the male lead went way too far! that was the villainess's late mother's keepsake!]

[the lead's an actual animal! he knew exactly how much that bracelet meant!]

[no way! I'm with the villainess on this one! I'm forming an Avengers team with her!]

I wiped the corner of my mouth and looked at the bright red on my fingertip.

I rubbed it hard between my fingers until the blood was gone, then said coldly:

"Cut the talk. Pay up. Twenty-five million."

Then I turned to the so-called biological parents. "I don't want this family."

With that, I walked out of the ballroom.

Behind me, my mother's voice followed. "Let her go! Let's see how far she gets!"

Outside, I flagged a cab and went straight to the hospital.

My phone buzzed.

Orlando had sent the money. Twenty-five million, with a note: I'm sorry.

I didn't reply. I had no intention of forgiving him.

At the hospital, the doctor asked me carefully, "Are you sure? If you're sure, sign here."

I signed.

When it was over, I went straight to the airport, my face pale.

I was going to find Damian.

In the departure lounge, a text came in from Orlando.

"Effie, I want to sit down and talk. Calmly."

My stomach turned.

Was he serious? Now he wants to call me "Effie"?

The announcement came over the speakers. "Now boarding the flight to San Francisco..."

I sent Orlando one last reply.

"Go fuck yourself."

I blocked him and stood up.

Then I walked to the gate without looking back.