Trapped By Freedom

In Her Shadow

Victoria

My birthday was only two months ago, yet just like every other year, Sophia's was being celebrated on a much bigger scale than mine.

People called me jealous.

Funny.

They'd be jealous too if they spent their whole lives standing in Sophia's shadow.

Ever since we were children, it had always been about Sophia. If we both won prizes, everyone praised her first. If we wore matching dresses to family gatherings, relatives couldn't stop talking about how adorable she looked before they even noticed me. Whenever anyone visited, their first question was always, "Where's Sophia?"

Sometimes I felt like a guest in my own family.

Now everyone was counting down to her twenty-first birthday, as though it were the most important event of the year.

Seriously, what was so special about Sophia?

We were both granddaughters of George and Bianca Smith.

Yet somehow, she always received just a little more attention.

Even Mum insisted I was jealous of her.

Maybe I was.

Maybe I had every reason to be.

Sophia's birthday dress cost fifty thousand dollars.

Mine had cost forty-five thousand.

To everyone else, the difference probably meant nothing.

To me, it meant everything.

It wasn't about the money.

It was about what it represented.

Sophia always got a little more love, a little more excitement, a little more importance. Everyone claimed they treated us equally, but actions always spoke louder than words.

Sometimes I wished something would go wrong.

Just once.

Enough for everyone to stop treating Sophia like the perfect little princess.

Being Edward and Celine Smith's only daughter had its advantages. I'd grown up knowing exactly where I stood in the family.

I was the second grandchild, and at twenty-two, I already worked at Smith Company. Unlike Sophia, I'd actually earned my place there.

She'd begged to work there countless times, but Grandma and Grandpa always refused.

Honestly, I preferred it that way.

Sophia didn't belong there.

I did.

In three days, the entire estate would be transformed into a celebration for Sophia.

Just thinking about it made my mood sour.

My stomach growled.

Great.

As if today wasn't already irritating enough.

"Lily!"

No response.

I frowned.

"Lily!"

Still nothing.

By the third call, she rushed into the room, breathing heavily.

"Ma'am, you called?"

She kept her head lowered.

Good.

At least someone still remembered their manners.

"Where have you been?"

"I'm sorry, Ma'am."

"I'm hungry."

"I'll prepare something immediately."

She hurried into the kitchen before I could say anything else.

While waiting, I scrolled through i********:, trying to understand what was so funny about the reel Kavya had sent me.

Honestly...

It wasn't funny.

A few minutes later, Lily returned carrying a white porcelain bowl.

The smell of honey and almonds reached me before she spoke.

"Ma'am, your grandmother called."

"For what?"

"She wants you to help your sister."

I looked up sharply.

"Cousin, Lily."

She lowered her head even further.

"And why exactly do I need to be there?"

She stayed silent.

Exactly what I expected.

Then my attention shifted to the bowl.

Cereal.

Of course.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. I thought it would be quicker since your grandmother asked for you..."

"And you decided what I should eat?"

I folded my arms.

"What if I choose not to go?"

She said nothing.

Lily had this annoying habit of trying to bring Sophia and me closer together.

That was never going to happen.

I ate anyway.

There was no reason to rush.

Halfway through breakfast, I FaceTimed Kavya and Stacey.

The call connected almost instantly.

"Stacey!"

My eyes widened.

"What's that on your neck? I thought you said you were done with Mario."

She immediately covered the mark with her hand.

"Girls, calm down."

Kavya burst into laughter.

"I knew she was lying!"

"I did not lie," Stacey protested.

"Victoria," Kavya said, "I thought you'd be at your grandparents' mansion already."

"I really don't feel like going."

I lifted my cereal bowl.

"But apparently this is the amazing breakfast Lily prepared before sending me off."

The three of us laughed.

"Anyway, you two are invited to my lovely cousin's birthday."

"We don't need an invitation," Stacey replied. "We'll definitely be there."

Just then, Lily knocked again.

"Ma'am, your grandmother just called."

I rolled my eyes.

"Tell her I'm coming."

After ending the call, I headed upstairs.

There was no need to pack.

Most of my clothes were already at Grandma's mansion.

After a quick shower, I changed into a fitted outfit and stood in front of the mirror.

Perfect.

I adjusted my sleeves and smoothed my hair.

If I had to spend the next few days pretending to be the perfect granddaughter, I might as well look the part.

I picked up my handbag, slipped in my essentials...

...and one extra item.

Just in case.

After making sure I'd forgotten nothing, I grabbed my car keys and drove toward the Smith mansion.

The enormous wrought-iron gates slowly came into view.

Even after living there for years, the mansion still looked like something from a billionaire magazine. Marble fountains shimmered beneath the afternoon sun while luxury cars lined the circular driveway.

In three days, the entire estate would be transformed into a celebration for Sophia.

Just thinking about it made my mood sour.