Chapter 3

My cheek stung,but I just wanted to laugh.

My mother,Eleanor,her hand still trembling with rage,screamed at me.

“How dare you make a scene?!We've spoiled you rotten!You were a debutante,how did you become so selfish and difficult?”

“You're leaving?Where are you going to go?Are you trying to make sure the whole city knows how we'mistreated'you?Aurora,when will you ever learn?How could I have a daughter like you?You're not even half the woman Seraphina is!”

I tasted blood in my mouth.

Yes,I used to throw a tantrum every single time.

Because I didn't understand why they'd insist I broke my father's antique vase when Seraphina did it.

I didn't understand why they wouldn't believe the security footage that showed I never pushed Seraphina down the stairs.

Even buying a bouquet of lilies was twisted into'proof'that I was intentionally triggering Seraphina's allergies.

This wasn't the first time my mother had hit me.

Just two days ago,I refused to let Seraphina try on my custom Vera Wang wedding dress.

Then,she“coincidentally”fainted.

My mother rushed in,pushed me to the ground,and took a pair of scissors to the dress I had waited six months for.

We were practically enemies because of Seraphina.

So I used to make a scene.I wanted someone,anyone,to see the truth.

But this time,I was done.I wasn't going to make a scene anymore.