Chapter 2

I didn't turn around. I simply met her gaze through the glass.

"You knock before entering. Get out."

Stella gave a dry laugh and waved her hand dismissively.

"It’s just a knock. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

"Mom and Dad never knock on your door. They just walk right in."

"Why are you acting so high and mighty all of a sudden? It's not like I barged into my own room."

She knew.

She knew that in this house, nobody ever respected my privacy. They walked into my space like it belonged to everyone.

Yet when it came to Stella's bedroom, they would knock gently, whispering sweet questions, waiting patiently for her permission before entering.

"Get out!" I snapped. "This is my room, and I want to be left alone."

Stella rolled her eyes, completely ignoring my words.

Instead of leaving, she pushed the door wider and yelled down the hallway:

"I tried talking to her, but she won't listen! What else am I supposed to do?"

"Chase, Mom, Dad, you guys deal with her!"

Instantly, the three of them crowded into my bedroom.

The moment my parents opened their mouths, the same tired script played out.

"Stella is young and naive. She was just joking around at City Hall. As her sister, you should show some grace."

"Exactly. We're a family. You never acted so petty before. Why are you suddenly throwing a fit over signing a piece of paper?"

Even Chase joined in, glaring at me with disappointment.

"Elena, Stella is your sister. I love you, which means your family is my family."

"You're the true daughter of this family. Why do you have to be so calculative over every little thing? She came in here to apologize. Can you please just be mature and forgive her? Stop being so selfish."

I looked at Chase, feeling an emptiness that went bone-deep.

He claimed he loved me, yet he was completely blind to my humiliation and pain. He was actively participating in my erasure.

Suddenly, I let out a soft laugh.

The realization hit me with total clarity.

Chase and I were truly over.

Seeing me smile, Chase actually thought I had calmed down. He quickly waved Stella over from the corner, eager to play the hero who repaired our sisterly bond.

"Stella, come apologize to your sister. See? Elena isn't unreasonable."

Stella dragged her feet, tossing whatever she was holding onto my bed with an annoyed sigh.

"Fine, it was my fault. I’m sorry. Thanks for forgiving me, happy now?"

My eyes caught the object she had tossed.

"What was that?" I asked, my voice dangerously calm.

Stella went silent, instinctively hiding her right hand behind her back.

I walked over to the bed.

It was the small velvet box containing the custom engagement ring Chase had given me when he proposed.

The lid was cracked open. The ring was gone.

Seeing her attempt to hide her hand, everything clicked instantly.

I lunged forward, grabbing her wrist and yanking her right hand into plain sight.

There, sparkling on her ring finger, was my engagement ring.

"Stella Vance. You stole my ring?"

Caught red-handed, Stella snatched her arm back, her face flushing with indignant rage.

"Steal? Why do you always use such vile words?"

"I was just trying it on! I'll take it off and give it back, okay?"

She pulled at the ring, tears instantly welling up in her eyes as she whimpered:

"You're my sister, and you're the real Vance heiress. What's wrong with letting me wear it for a minute? Just because you're the blood daughter, you think you can bully me now."

"Ow! It hurts! It’s completely stuck!"

Her cries were loud, deliberately pitched.

I knew that performance wasn't for me.

It was for the other three people in the room.

Sure enough, the moment she pretended to struggle for the third time, Chase stepped in and caught her hand.

"Stop pulling, Stella. Your finger is completely red. If you like it that much, just keep it."

He casually dismissed my entire world: "It’s just a piece of jewelry. I’ll buy Elena a bigger one tomorrow."

He then turned to me, completely expecting my submission.

"Right, Elena?"