My parents exchanged a glance, their faces lighting up with sheer joy.
My mother, Isabella Greene-Montclair, practically vibrated with excitement. “Oh my God! Does this mean I’m about to become the mother-in-law of the richest man in the country?”
My father, Alaric Montclair, let out a breathless laugh, still processing the shock. “I never saw this coming… never in a million years. Cassie, you’re so lucky! We must’ve done something right—how else could you have such a great life ahead of you?”
I stayed quiet, my expression neutral, but my eyes flicked to Cathy.
Her face twisted as emotions flickered across it—shock, disbelief, frustration. She was struggling to process the idea, fighting an internal war she didn’t know how to win.
Finally, she muttered, “How could he marry you? You’re so…”
She trailed off.
Because no matter how much she hated to admit it, we were identical twins.
Insulting me would be insulting herself.
I didn’t take offense.
Instead, I reached out and patted Cathy gently on the shoulder. “Sis, I know. You’re worried that if I marry the richest man in the country, I’ll forget about you, Mom, and Dad.”
Cathy’s eyes narrowed, her arms folding tightly over her chest. “Of course, I’m worried! They’ve always favored me. You’ve been the one left out. Why wouldn’t you forget about me once you’re married to someone like that?”
I smiled, more amused than anything. “You don’t have to worry. I won’t forget. Once I’m part of the Sterling family, I’ll make sure you, Mom, and Dad live well. I’ll buy you all the houses and cars. Maybe they won’t be as nice as mine, but at least you won’t have to struggle anymore.”
The more I spoke, the tighter Cathy’s jaw clenched. I could see the storm building behind her eyes, especially as my father and mother fawned over me like I was some golden ticket.
And then, just like that, she snapped.
With a burst of frustration, she lunged and snatched the sapphire brooch from my hands. “I’m not letting you meet him! If anyone should go, it should be me!”
But this time, things were different.
Before I could even react, Alaric swiftly yanked the brooch back from her grip, his patience finally cracking.
“This belongs to your sister, Cathy! What the hell are you doing? What if you break it? Can you even afford to fix it?”
Cathy’s mouth fell open in shock.
Even she hadn’t expected that.
I leaned back, my voice calm but firm. “Cathy, I know you’ve always loved taking my things. But you’re not getting away with it this time. This is my chance. My future.”
Silence stretched through the room.
I let the tension linger before adding under my breath, “We may look the same, but what’s meant for me will always be mine.”
That was all it took.
Cathy’s expression shifted, her lips curling into a slow, knowing smile. “You’re right. We do look the same. But you…” She tilted her head, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. “You’re so lifeless. Even if you did marry Jasper, how could he possibly love you forever? I’m the better choice.”
She wasn’t done. Not yet.
Cathy turned toward our parents, seizing the moment. “Think about it, Mom, Dad! It’s been over ten years since the richest man last saw Cassie. All we have to do is say it was me who went to Grandma’s house in the countryside. How would he ever know the difference?”
She paused, letting the idea settle in, then sweetened the deal.
“And let’s be honest—you’ve never been close with Cassie. If she really becomes his wife, how could she possibly treat you well? But me? You know I’d always take care of you.”
My parents hesitated for only a second before they exchanged a look and nodded in agreement.
No hesitation. No guilt. No second thoughts.
I wasn’t surprised.
If Alaric and Isabella hadn’t always favored Cathy over me, I wouldn’t have been the one sent to Grandma’s house in the first place. I wouldn’t have been the one to save Jasper. And I wouldn’t have ended up being used by them like some disposable asset.
Even though this had always been my plan, I forced my expression to crumble, my voice breaking as I cried out, “Mom, Dad, how could you do this to me? Ever since we were kids, you’ve always given Cathy everything. You let her take my clothes, my toys, everything. But this is different! This is my life! I’m your daughter too—why are you doing this to me?”
Alaric didn’t even blink.
Instead, he shoved the brooch into Cathy’s hands and slapped me hard across the face.
"Have you lost your mind? When did we ever favor her over you? Didn’t we feed you? Didn’t we clothe you? You think we did all of that just for her?"
The sting of his palm burned against my cheek.
I swallowed the anger rising in my throat.
Because this time, I wasn’t fighting to win their love.
This time, I was playing to destroy them.
