Chapter 4

On the day of the dinner, Mom dragged me out of bed early and threw a white dress at me.

It was a rare, "generous" birthday gift she had given me last month.

But when I turned around, I saw Chloe walking out of her room in the exact same dress. Except hers was made of finer material, with a sparkling diamond chain wrapped around her waist.

"Mom, if Elena and I wear the same thing, will Julian get us confused?" Chloe twirled playfully.

Mom looked at her with pride, grinning from ear to ear. "Of course not! Our Chloe is so beautiful, no one can compare to her."

I stood there like a ghost in the background.

Julian arrived in the afternoon, bringing many expensive gifts.

He gave Dad a thousand-dollar bottle of wine, Mom the latest designer handbag, and Chloe a necklace that looked incredibly expensive.

For me, he only brought a box of chocolates. He hadn't even fully peeled off the discount price tag.

"Elena doesn't care about these luxury things. She just likes sweets," Julian explained with a warm smile.

How thoughtful. But he didn't mention that the box of chocolates was bought last-minute from the convenience store downstairs.

At the dining table, the atmosphere was so warm that it felt like I was the stranger.

Mom had made a seafood soup—something I had been severely allergic to since childhood.

"Here, Julian, have some more. I got this lobster imported. It's great for your health," she enthusiastically served him a large bowl.

Dad opened the wine Julian brought and kept offering toasts, praising him to the skies.

"Chloe, put some steak on Julian's plate," Mom smiled warmly.

"Julian, try this ribeye. Chloe made it. She's a fantastic cook," Dad added, desperately trying to create a spark.

Chloe blushed, shyly placing the meat into Julian's bowl. "Julian, try it."

"Thank you, Chloe," Julian smiled warmly, but his eyes drifted over to me.

"But I'm still more used to Elena taking care of me."

Saying that, he put a piece of fish into my bowl, slowly removing the bones before placing it right by my mouth.

"Right, babe?" his voice was gentle, but his eyes carried a dark warning.

At that moment, both Mom and Chloe’s faces stiffened.

A sick sense of pleasure rose in my chest. I obediently opened my mouth and ate the fish.

"Julian is always the nicest to me," I murmured.

Chloe reacted instantly. Her eyes welled with tears, looking incredibly fragile.

"Julian, do you think I didn't do a good job? I'm sorry... I was just so envious of Elena, and I wanted to do something for you too."

Her weak, pitiful act immediately triggered Julian’s savior complex.

He smiled and patted the back of her hand, his voice full of affection. "Of course not. You're actually much more attentive than your sister."

That compliment was like a slap to my face. Mom immediately gave me a smug look.

I lowered my head, clenching my fists.

After dinner, Chloe brought over a fruit platter. Suddenly, she tripped and "accidentally" spilled a whole glass of orange juice all over Julian's white shirt.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! Julian, I didn't mean to!" She frantically wiped it with a napkin, her hands brushing against his chest on purpose.

"Let me take you to my room to clean it up. I have a hairdryer there," she said urgently.

I sat on the sofa, watching them go upstairs one after the other.

I deliberately lingered in the living room for a few minutes, listening to Mom’s sarcastic remarks.

"Look at how charming your sister is! You should learn a thing or two!"

"If you don't have the skills, don't blame others for stealing your spotlight," Dad chimed in.

I stood up abruptly, rushing toward Chloe’s room in a fit of "rage."

I didn't knock. I slammed the half-open door wide open.

The scene inside made my breath hitch.

Chloe was on her tiptoes, her lips almost brushing against Julian's cheek.

And Julian's hands were resting on her waist, holding her in an intimate, suggestive embrace.

Hearing the door slam, they quickly pulled apart, looking startled.

"What are you doing?!" I screamed, my voice shaking violently.

Chloe stepped back "in a panic," her face flushed.

"Elena, let me explain... it's not what it looks like..."

"Elena, what is wrong with you?" Julian frowned, his voice dripping with annoyance.

Looking at their expressions—one playing innocent, the other looking disgusted—the anger I had bottled up for months completely "exploded."

I broke down into hysterical tears, slammed the door, and ran out. My heart-wrenching sobs and messy footsteps echoed down the hallway.

I ran all the way to the street corner. Only after confirming no one was following me did I slowly stop.

I took a deep breath, looked up at the city lights, and a cold smile crept onto my face.

Dad, Mom, Chloe, Julian...

Your little drama has finally begun.