The morning sun poured through the massive windows of the Hancock estate.
Before leaving her bedroom, Helena had stood in front of her vanity, thinking about how to navigate this new family dynamic. She needed allies, particularly Alaina, the female lead. She had dug through the original Helena's hoard of unopened shopping bags and selected a small, velvet box containing a silver Tiffany pen. It was understated but practical for a design student. She slipped it into the pocket of her dress, deciding to find an opportunity to give it to her step-sister today.
Helena walked down the wide, carpeted corridor. She was completely lost. The house was the size of a museum, and the original Helena's memories were a blurry mess of hangovers and shopping trips. She just wanted to find the breakfast room.
She stopped in front of a white door. She assumed it was a sitting room and pushed the handle down.
She stepped inside. The room was painted in soft pastels. A drafting table sat by the window, covered in charcoal pencils and sketch paper.
This was Alaina's room. The female lead of the novel. Her step-sister.
Helena took a step back to leave.
"Miss Helena, what are you doing in Miss Alaina's room?"
The voice cracked like a whip behind her.
Helena turned around. Arthur Giles, the estate's head butler, stood in the hallway. His posture was rigid. His eyes were filled with open disgust.
Behind Arthur stood a young woman with bright blonde hair and wide, terrified blue eyes. Alaina.
Alaina physically shrank back when she saw Helena. She pulled her arms tight against her sides.
Helena remembered the plot. Arthur hated the original Helena. He thought she was trash.
"I hope you were not looking for something that does not belong to you," Arthur said. His tone was sharp enough to cut glass.
He was accusing her of stealing.
Helena knew saying she was lost would sound like a pathetic lie. She looked at Alaina. She looked at the drafting table full of sketches.
She reached into the pocket of her dress. Her fingers brushed against the small, velvet box she had deliberately packed earlier. It was the perfect moment to use the peace offering she had prepared.
Helena pulled her hand out of her pocket. She smiled. It was a bright, genuine smile that reached her eyes.
She walked straight toward Alaina.
Alaina bit her lower lip hard and took a step back.
Helena stopped in front of her and held out the small box.
"Surprise," Helena said softly. "I wanted to give you your welcome-to-Hancock-Group gift in person."
Arthur froze. His mouth opened slightly, but no sound came out.
Alaina stared at the box. Her hands were shaking as she slowly reached out and took it. She popped the lid open.
Inside sat a heavy, silver Tiffany pen.
"We start our internships at headquarters tomorrow," Helena said. She kept her voice warm and steady. "I thought you could use it for your sketches. I hope you like it."
Alaina looked up from the pen. Her blue eyes were wide with shock.
"For... for me?" Alaina whispered. "Thank you, Helena."
It was the first time Helena had ever spoken to her without screaming or throwing something.
Arthur cleared his throat. His face was flushed with embarrassment. His accusation now hung in the air, making him look foolish.
Helena turned to the butler. Her smile did not fade.
"Arthur, could you please show me the way to the breakfast room?" she asked politely. "I seem to have gotten turned around."
Arthur swallowed hard. He gave a stiff nod. "Right this way, Miss."
Helena turned and followed him down the hall.
Alaina stood in the doorway of her room. She clutched the velvet box tightly against her chest. She watched her step-sister walk away. The fear in her stomach was gone, replaced by a strange, warm feeling of curiosity.
Arthur walked briskly ahead of Helena.
"Mr. Hayward does not appreciate tardiness," Arthur said coldly over his shoulder.
"Thank you for the reminder, Arthur," Helena replied smoothly.
Arthur frowned. He did not know how to handle this calm, polite version of the girl he despised.
Back in her room, Alaina set the silver pen on her drafting table. She looked at her sketches. She decided right then that she would talk to her sister tomorrow.
