Chapter 4

I was completely ostracized by the Sunward Pack.

What happened at the ceremony spread like wildfire. Everyone felt sorry for Sophia and Richard, while I became the target of endless insults and mocking.

A few classmates spread rumors within the pack, claiming the Alpha was incredibly merciful for letting me stay, and that Sophia always tolerated my abuse at school, yet I kept bullying her.

"What an ungrateful wretch!"

"The Alpha was so kind to let a demoted Omega stay in the pack, and she repays him by stealing and ruining a sacred ceremony."

"That was real emerald, right? Anything from the Blackwood house must be incredibly expensive. Where would a low-ranking Omega get an emerald necklace? She definitely stole it."

"I feel so bad for Sophia. Her mother's keepsake was shattered just like that. She should make Ella pay for it!"

"Sophia looks so much like Luna Lillian. I used to admire Lillian so much. Seeing Sophia cry breaks my heart. If Lillian were still alive, she would be devastated."

"Lillian adored her daughter. If she knew her daughter was being bullied like this... sigh."

*Lillian was my mother.*

Hearing their gossip felt like a blunt knife twisting in my chest.

If my mother were still alive, would she feel sorry for me?

If she were here... would she even recognize me?

Would she, like Richard, take Sophia's side?

After all, it was my fault she went missing.

And after all, I didn't look like her at all.

For Sophia's Heir Recognition celebration, the entire class showed up.

They banged on my door, shouting insults and throwing trash outside my window, demanding justice for Sophia.

I was locked in my room. Richard's orders.

He didn't even want to step foot into my room. He stood outside the locked door, shouting his lecture.

"Ella Blackwood, how can you face your mother after what you did?! That necklace was her most prized possession! It was your grandmother's heirloom!"

"Do you hate your mother that much? Do you hate Sophia that much? Do you have any idea how long Sophia prepared for this ceremony?!"

"If your mother saw what a monster you've become, she would regret ever giving birth to you!"

After Richard left, Sophia unlocked the door and walked in.

"Ella Blackwood, how did it feel to hear Dad call you a demoted Omega in front of the entire pack?"

"You really are thick-skinned, still leeching off the Sunward Pack. You killed your mother, and Dad hates you to death. He wishes you were dead, he just hasn't said it out loud yet."

I ignored her, staring out the window.

Outside, the party was lively. The lawn by the lake was decorated beautifully.

Flowers, banners, balloons, and a champagne tower.

Gift boxes of all colors piled up on the grass, and the birthday cake was ten tiers high.

That was the scene of my memories. The birthday of my dreams.

Ten years.

Every single year, I had to watch someone else live out my birthday as the main character.

Someone outside called for Sophia to cut the cake.

Sophia’s face twisted in anger at my silence. "Ella Blackwood! I am talking to you!"

"Why didn't you just die with your mother?!"

She snatched the broken emerald shards from my hand and threw them out the window, straight into the deep lake.

I bolted upright. Without thinking, I climbed onto the windowsill and threw myself into the lake.

Screams and gasps echoed around the lawn as ice-cold water rushed into my nose and ears.

Before I lost consciousness, I thought I heard my mother's voice.

I heard her calling my name.

"Ella! Mommy is here!"