Chapter 4
Looking around, all my mother’s portraits on the walls had been replaced with Sandra’s.
The butler fawned: “Mr. Anderson ordered this personally, saying Miss Katia would be pleased.”
Guests whispered among themselves.
“Did you hear? All those prime storefronts Mrs. Williams left went to Mrs. Walker.”
“Tsk. The first wife worked her whole life just to benefit the mistress.”
“Hush! She’s the proper wife now.”
Sandra leaned her delicate frame against Father’s shoulder, dabbing tears as she told me:
“I know you dislike me, Miss. But today’s festive. I just wish to care for Gerald in his later years-keeping this home in your mother’s stead.’
“”
She never mentioned today was also my mother’s death anniversary.
Seeing my bloodshot eyes, Father casually smoothed things over.
“From now on, Aunt Sandra is your elder. She arranged your birthday out of kindness-be gracious.”
Before his words faded, Katia appeared arm-in-arm with Elijah.
“Happy birthday, my princess.’
”
Elijah murmured tenderly, handing me a black-and-gold gift box.
“Heavens! That’s Christie’s exclusive packaging for ‘Heart of True Love’!” a guest gasped.
“Last month’s mystery buyer who paid a fortune-it was Elijah!”
“What a prince-charming act! Sophia’s so blessed!”
But I couldn’t care less.
Some showstopping treasure? Some devoted prince?
I didn’t care about any of it.
I only cared about the maternity dress Katia was wearing.
HEP
It was sewn for me by my mother, stitch by stitch, with her last breath on her deathbed.
“Take it off.”
My voice trembled as I stared at her intently.
Katia’s eyes immediately welled up with tears as she hid behind Elijah.
The guests gasped in shock, not expecting me to embarrass Elijah like this.
Elijah spoke gently but firmly:
“Sophia, stop making a scene. If you like this style, I’ll have the designer come to the house tomorrow to make a new one for you, okay?”
But I couldn’t hear anything, I just charged at Katia.
Elijah grabbed my shoulder, “Sophia! Calm down! You’re pregnant!”
“Ah!”
Katia suddenly knelt down and frantically tore at the neckline of her dress.
“I know you despise us mother and daughter! You always bullied me before!”
Back in school days, she’d harm herself too, then cry claiming I did it.
Ever since, everyone believed the Williams heiress was spoiled and loved tormenting others.
Guests murmured among themselves, casting scornful glances.
“The legitimate daughter truly is tyrannical…”
“Even an illegitimate child is her sister. Why so cruel?”
Elijah took off his suit jacket, wrapping it around Katia’s shoulders, his expression turning cold toward me for the first time.
“Sophia, apologize.”
But I remained frozen.
Watching my mother’s mementos torn to shreds, my vision blurred.
Elijah stared at me in disbelief, reaching out to steady me: “Sophia…”
Just then, Katia pretended to offer support, but as she drew near, she shoved me violently.
My lower back rammed hard against the metal railing, agony instantly searing through my body.
Katia herself tumbled into the cake, cream smeared across her face in utter disarray.
“Why did you push me, sister!”
