Chapter 5
Years of habit had made it easy for my parents to speak of Alicia’s birthday, completely forgetting that it was supposed to be mine
too.
We were born on the same day, yet she had always claimed the role of the “younger sister”-as if that somehow entitled her to be doted on-while I, as the so-called “older sister,” was expected to be mature, understanding, and always giving way.”
Watching their expressions shift with guilt, I lowered my eyes. When I looked up again, I let just the right glimmer of tears fill my
gaze.
“I heard from Chester that every year, Alicia gets a birthday gift. Even this villa we’re living in now was her present when she
turned eighteen.
“I’ve never had a birthday celebration in my life. Mom, Dad… if I manage to do just one thing well, would you be willing to exchange it for one wish on my birthday?”
I had come back to life not to fight over some petty “princess” title with Alicia.
The birthday banquet was a grand affair. Everyone came to catch a glimpse of the Rodney family’s long-lost second daughter.
Dressed in a custom-made gown by Chester, Alicia played her role to perfection as the dazzling, untouchable heiress of the
Rodney family.
While pretending to help me change into my dress, she leaned in, eyes bright with smugness, and whispered in my ear, “So what if you’re the biological daughter, Eliza? You’re just the second child-barely relevant. I’m still the one Mom and Dad adore most. You want to play dirty little tricks? Eliza, you’ve got a long way to go.”
With a sharp tug, she snapped the zipper of my gown.
Even though the dress was supposedly tailored for me, it had obviously been made smaller. The moment I received it, I could tell
it was smaller than my size.
In front of our parents, she linked arms with me sweetly and exclaimed, “Oh my! Eliza’s gotten a little chubby!”
Chester, the one who had arranged the fitting, looked at me with thinly veiled disdain.
“Alicia started watching her diet half a month ago, unlike certain people who, despite knowing how important today is, still
couldn’t resist indulging themselves.
“Being a Rodney heiress isn’t just about fancy dresses and a lavish lifestyle. Today’s guests are here because of our parents’
reputation, my business network, or Alicia’s social circle. Every one of them is tied to the Rodney family’s future.
“Mom, Dad, it’s clear Eliza still has a lot to learn if she wants to be a real part of this family.”
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With no gown to wear, I was left with an ordinary outfit. Standing next to Alicia, I looked like a servant.
Whispers rippled through the hall.
“That’s the second daughter they just found? Dressed like that at such an event-doesn’t she have any manners?
“She’s nowhere near as graceful as Miss Alicia. I don’t get why the Rodneys would bring a back-alley daughter into the spotlight
like this.”
“Didn’t she grow up in some rural town? Bet she doesn’t understand a word of what’s going on.”
Even my parents frowned slightly, a hint of disappointment flashing in their eyes.
“Eliza, stay close to Alicia. Try to meet some new people.”
Alicia dragged me through the crowd on full display, gracefully receiving birthday wishes and gifts while I stood beside her,
empty-handed and plain.
Eventually, she pulled me over to her circle of close friends, letting a group of wealthy heiresses surround me like I was some
exhibit.
“This is my long-lost sister-the second daughter of the Rodney family.’
She emphasized the word second, and the others smirked in unison.
“Eliza got lost because she was being a naughty little thing when she was a kid! But don’t tease her for being a dummy. She grew
up in the countryside-didn’t even make it into high school!
“She doesn’t even know how to pronounce half the brand names we use every day. So when you hang out with her, make sure you
don’t bruise her fragile pride, okay?”
Their laughter-thin, sharp, and mocking-cut through the air.
I yanked my arm free from Alicia’s grasp, my voice cold.
“No need. I doubt I’ll ever find the time-or the patience-to ‘play’ with you and your little entourage. I’ll be busy taking over the company. Unlike you parasites who live off your families, I actually plan to earn my place.”
The words hung heavy in the air. Chester, who had been watching from a distance, rushed over the moment he saw Alicia looking
aggrieved.
“Eliza, I know that when people feel insecure, they lash out. But if you’ve chosen to come back to the Rodney family, then act like you belong here. Don’t embarrass us.
“If you can’t adapt, you can always leave. No one here came for you anyway. Either way, I won’t let you ruin Alicia’s birthday.”
Around us, the wealthy heiresses looked at Chester with wide, admiring eyes. As the Rodney family’s golden boy, he had always been a coveted bachelor-and in my past life, he was fiercely loyal to Alicia, like a dog guarding its master.
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Just as he finished reprimanding me, a voice rose unexpectedly from the crowd.
“Eliza?!”
