Chapter 5
1014 Words
Chapter 5: Behind the Smile
The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Rita hummed softly while preparing breakfast. For the first time in years, life felt as though it was finally rewarding her for all the sacrifices she had made. Daniel had become a source of peace in her life, and every message from him made her heart race.
Susan watched her from the doorway.
“You look happy,” she said, forcing a smile.
Rita turned around, blushing.
“Is it that obvious?”
Susan laughed lightly.
“Very.”
“I can’t help it.”
Susan walked over and hugged her younger sister.
“I’m happy for you.”
Rita wrapped her arms around Susan without hesitation.
“I knew you’d understand.”
Susan closed her eyes for a moment. Guilt pricked her heart, but jealousy quickly silenced it.
“If only you knew what I was thinking,” she whispered to herself.
⸻
Later that afternoon, Daniel arrived at Rita’s office carrying a bouquet of white roses.
The entire office fell silent.
“Mr. Cole is here again.”
“He must really like Rita.”
Daniel walked confidently toward her desk.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.”
Rita smiled shyly.
“You never do.”
He handed her the flowers.
“I saw these on my way here and thought of you.”
“They’re beautiful.”
“So are you.”
Rita lowered her head, trying to hide the blush spreading across her cheeks.
Their colleagues smiled and quietly applauded.
For Rita, it was one of the happiest moments of her life.
For someone else, it would soon become the beginning of a nightmare.
⸻
That evening, Susan waited outside Rita’s office.
When Rita stepped out with Daniel, she pretended to be surprised.
“Oh! I didn’t know you were here.”
Rita beamed.
“Susan! What are you doing?”
“I came to pick you up, but it seems someone beat me to it.”
Daniel smiled politely.
“It’s good to see you again.”
“You too.”
Susan glanced at the flowers in Rita’s hands.
“They’re lovely.”
Daniel replied, “Rita deserves them.”
Those simple words echoed painfully in Susan’s mind.
Rita deserves them.
Why was it always Rita?
Trying to hide her emotions, Susan suggested, “Since we’re all here, why don’t we grab some coffee together?”
Daniel looked at Rita.
“If you’re comfortable with that.”
Rita nodded happily.
“I’d love to.”
⸻
At the café, the conversation flowed easily.
Rita excused herself to answer a call from her mother, leaving Daniel and Susan alone for a few minutes.
Susan stirred her coffee absentmindedly.
“Rita talks about you all the time.”
Daniel smiled.
“I hope that’s a good thing.”
“It is.”
She hesitated before speaking again.
“You’ve made her happier than I’ve seen her in years.”
“I’m glad.”
Susan looked at him carefully.
“Promise me something.”
“What is it?”
“If you truly love my sister… don’t ever break her heart.”
Daniel’s expression became serious.
“I don’t make promises lightly.”
“But I can promise you this—I have no intention of hurting Rita.”
Susan nodded.
“I believe you.”
For a brief moment, she almost abandoned her plan.
Almost.
⸻
A week later, Daniel invited Rita to attend the launch of a new foundation his company had established to support underprivileged children.
He also suggested that she bring Susan along.
“I’d like your family to feel included,” he said.
Rita was delighted.
Susan accepted immediately.
At the elegant event, guests admired the sisters.
Many commented on how beautiful they both looked.
Daniel introduced Rita proudly.
“This is the woman I’ve been telling everyone about.”
Rita smiled, her cheeks warming with embarrassment.
Susan applauded politely, but every word felt like another reminder that she was standing in her sister’s shadow.
As the evening continued, several investors approached Daniel for conversations.
Rita stepped away to greet a former colleague.
Seeing Daniel alone for a moment, Susan walked over.
“You seem tired.”
He smiled.
“These events can be exhausting.”
She handed him a glass of water.
“You should take care of yourself.”
“Thank you.”
Their conversation remained friendly, but from across the room, one of the guests noticed them laughing together.
The woman quietly whispered to another guest, “Are they together?”
“No,” came the reply. “The younger sister is his girlfriend.”
“Really? They look comfortable together.”
Susan overheard the remark.
Instead of correcting it, she simply smiled.
For the first time, she realized that appearances could become powerful weapons.
⸻
On the drive home, Rita rested her head lightly against the car window.
“Today was wonderful.”
Daniel reached over and gently held her hand.
“I’m glad you came.”
She squeezed his fingers.
“So am I.”
As they pulled up outside her house, he kissed her forehead.
“Good night.”
“Good night.”
From the upstairs window, Susan watched in silence.
She no longer saw two people in love.
She saw the life she wanted slipping farther away.
That night, she stood in front of her mirror for a long time.
“I’ve spent years doing the right thing,” she whispered. “What has it given me?”
Nothing.
Her phone buzzed with a message from Vivian.
If you keep watching, Rita will become Mrs. Daniel Cole.
Susan stared at the message.
A slow, determined smile spread across her face.
“No,” she murmured.
“That won’t happen.”
Outside, thunder rolled across the dark sky.
Inside, Susan made another choice—she would stop being a silent observer.
From now on, she would begin creating opportunities to come between Daniel and Rita.
The betrayal was no longer just a thought.
It had become a plan.
- Writer
