CHAPTER 3
Viviana Cole stood at the edge of her bedroom balcony and watched as the car slid in the Cole mansion driveway. She smiled to herself, a bitter smile. Amelia, the girl her father had talked about was. She knew this girl was going to be no good to her. She had lived as a Cole ever since Vincent Cole adopted her from the orphanage, but she did not carry his blood.
She had smiled when her father first told her. That soft, surprised kind of smile, the one he liked. The one she used when pretending to be touched.
He had brought up the topic at dinner a few days ago. Like it was not a big deal.
“She has no one,” Vincent had said, placing his brandy glass down. “Her mother passed away recently, and she’s been living in the countryside with neighbors. I didn’t even know she existed until last week. Her name is Amelia. She’s... my daughter.”
Viviana had blinked, carefully.
“Your daughter?” she repeated, keeping her voice light.
He had nodded, a little ashamed, but also glowing with something close to pride. Viviana had seen it, the hidden tone of pride at finding his own blood, and her fear had started growing, “I know it’s unexpected, but I want to give her a home. She’s bright, polite. A good girl, from what I’ve gathered. I’m hoping she’ll agree to come stay with us. With you.”
Viviana had crossed her legs slowly, keeping her posture perfect. “Of course, Daddy. If she’s family, then she belongs here.”
Vincent had reached out and squeezed her hand, touched. “I knew you’d understand. You’ve always had such a big heart.”
She smiled again.
But inside, her stomach twisted with disgust.
"A sister? A stranger? Some rural charity case dropped into her life like a lost puppy? No."
She’d worked too hard to become the perfect daughter. The elegant hostess. The woman people admired, envied, invited to every gallery and gala. She was the only heir. The only child Vincent introduced proudly at events. That place was hers.
"And now he wants to throw some countryside girl into my world, into my space, and call her family?"
………………………..
The car moved smoothly through the city, then turned into a quiet, upscale neighborhood. Everything here felt different, peaceful, clean, and rich in a quiet way. Amelia stared out the window, wide-eyed. This place looked like something from a dream. It was beautiful, yes, but also a little scary. The wealth here wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be. Everything around her whispered, you don’t belong here.
The car drove deeper into the neighborhood and stopped at a wide silver gate set between two tall stone pillars. A security guard stepped out, saluted the driver, and opened the gate after a short nod. They rolled through, entering a long driveway lined with tall trees swaying gently in the breeze. It felt like the trees themselves were greeting them.
After what felt like a long drive, the house finally came into view.
It was massive, built in a grand European style, with tall windows, white columns, and flowered balconies. A marble fountain stood in the middle of a roundabout driveway, sparkling in the sun. The car pulled up beside it, and Thomas got out quickly to open the door for Amelia.
She stepped out slowly, her shoes tapping on the clean stone path. The front of the mansion looked almost unreal, so perfect it made her chest tighten.
A tall man in a grey uniform stepped forward and gave a small bow. Several other staff members stood behind him in a neat row.
“Welcome home, Miss Amelia,” he said with a calm voice. “Mr. Cole has informed us of your arrival. Your room is ready, and the staff is here to serve you.”
Amelia opened her mouth to respond but froze as a woman appeared in the doorway.
She was tall and striking, wearing a cream-colored silk jumpsuit that shimmered in the light. Her makeup was perfect, her hair styled neatly, and her jewelry subtle but expensive. She walked with the ease of someone used to attention.
“Welcome home, sis!” she said warmly, arms wide. “I’m Viviana, your older sister.”
Amelia blinked in surprise. Sister?
She hadn’t had time to think about what it meant to suddenly have siblings, especially ones like this. But Viviana’s smile felt real, her tone kind.
Viviana pulled her into a light hug. Amelia hesitated, then hugged her back.
“I’ve always wanted a little sister,” Viviana said with a bright smile. “I can’t believe I finally got one.”
Amelia smiled shyly. She was still shaken from what happened at the mall, the rude store manager, the whispers, but Viviana’s welcome softened the sting.
Maybe not all rich people are mean, she thought.
“Come,” Viviana said, waving for her to follow. “I’ll show you to your room.”
They stepped into the house, and Amelia felt like she’d entered a palace.
The floors were polished marble that reflected the lights from the chandeliers above. The ceilings were high, with gold trim. Expensive paintings and wood carvings covered the walls. A staircase curved upward like something from a movie.
The scent of jasmine and sandalwood floated through the air.
They passed several large living rooms, a huge library full of books, and a music room with a grand piano under a crystal chandelier, and went up the stairs.
Finally, Viviana led her to a door at the end of the hallway.
“This is your room,” she said with a little flourish. “I hope you like it.”
She pushed open the doors, and Amelia gasped.
The room looked like it belonged to a princess. A large canopy bed stood in the center with soft white curtains. Warm lights twinkled above like stars. There was a reading nook by the window, a lounge chair, a vanity, and a walk-in closet filled with clothes. French windows opened onto a balcony with a view of the fountain and garden below.
Amelia sat slowly on the edge of the bed. The room was bigger than her entire house in the countryside.
The butler stepped in politely. “Miss Amelia, feel free to rest or freshen up. Dinner will be at 7. A maid will come wake you in time.”
Amelia nodded. She didn’t trust herself to speak. Everything still felt like a dream.
Dinner was like something from a fancy TV show. The food looked perfect — roasted duck, filet mignon, creamy risotto, fresh seafood. Amelia had never seen such a meal in real life. Vincent sat at the head of the table, looking calm and proud.
“I hope you're settling in well, Amelia,” he said kindly.
“I… I am. Thank you,” she said, trying to sound normal.
“I told the chef to make a bit of everything,” Viviana added cheerfully. “I didn’t know what you liked. So try what you want!”
Vincent chuckled. “It warms my heart to see you two getting along.”
“Dad,” Viviana said, beaming, “I’ve always wanted a younger sister. Remember how I kept asking you? And now I have one! I’ll help her settle in, show her around town, even take her shopping.”
Amelia blushed. For a brief moment, she let herself believe it was possible, that maybe this could really be her new life.
After dinner, Viviana hugged her again and disappeared to her room.
Amelia stood in the hallway, smiling softly.
But behind Viviana’s door, the smile was gone.
She stormed over to her mirror, pulled off her earrings, and tossed them on the vanity with a clatter.
“Of all the things he could bring home,” she muttered, staring at her reflection. “A countryside stray?”
Her voice was low, cold.
“She may have fooled Father with that wide-eyed innocence, but I see through her. She doesn’t belong here. She’s not taking my place.”
Viviana’s jaw tightened. Her hands curled into fists.
“She’s not stealing my father, my spotlight, or this life I’ve worked for.”
She leaned in closer to the mirror, her eyes hard.
“I don’t care how sweet she looks. She’s going back to wherever she came from. I’ll make sure of it.”
With a flick, she turned off the lights. Her reflection vanished into the dark, but the bitterness in her heart lingered, ready to spread.