BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET

Chapter 3: The Rivalry Begins

What's up, big sister? Are you still pouting in the corner? It is clear that you have mastered the art of being a tragic wallflower.

A dagger that was wrapped in silk was the sound of Liana's voice. Despite the fact that I had not witnessed her approach, there she was, standing next to me with that vexing grin on her face. Her wedding gown shimmered under the ballroom lights, a beacon of her accomplishment.

With a conscious effort to maintain a neutral demeanor, I turned around to face her. “Shouldn’t you be with your husband?”

Even though she did not falter in her grin, there was a hint of something in her eyes that could be interpreted as anger. Guests are entertained by him. This is the responsibility of a good host. I figured I’d check on you instead.

“How thoughtful,” I murmured, my voice dry.

She tilted her head, scrutinizing me like a cat measuring up its prey. “You’re handling this better than I expected,” she said. “I thought you’d leave after the ceremony, but here you are. Watching. Waiting. It’s almost admirable.”

I refused to let her know how her remarks upset me. “Don’t flatter yourself, Liana. I’m not here for you or Ethan. I’m here because this is family. That still means something to me, even if it doesn’t to you.”

Her smile expanded, but it was cold and brittle. Family. Yes, hasn't that been your explanation all along? The obedient, faithful daughter. The amazing big sister. Her voice faded to a whisper as she leaned in closer. "Pretending to be so morally upright all the time must be exhausting."

Despite the heat rising in my cheeks, I made myself remain composed. "Liana, you are free to think whatever you want about me." The fact that you had to bargain your way into a life you didn't deserve is still there.

The mask slipped for a moment as her eyes sharpened. "You don't think I'm worthy of this?"

I met her eyes, unwavering. “I know you don’t.”

She drew closer, the air between us sizzling with tension. “You had your chance, Amara. You had Ethan, and you let him slip away. Don’t blame me for removing what you couldn’t hold onto.”

The words hit their mark, but I refused to let her see the anguish. “You didn’t take him, Liana. You deceived him. There’s a difference.”

Her lips twisted into a mocking smile. “Keep telling yourself that. It might help you sleep at night.”

Before I could react, the emcee’s voice boomed throughout the room, introducing the next event in the evening’s itinerary. Liana straightened, her smirk returning as she adjusted her gown.

“Well, I should get back to my husband,” she replied, her tone oozing with phony kindness. “Enjoy the rest of the evening, big sister. Try not to let jealousy consume you alive.”

She turned and left with a confident gait and a raised head. With my hands clenched into fists at my sides, I watched her leave.

Now the air was heavy with unspoken words and unresolved anger, and the space felt cramped. Before I did anything I might later regret, I needed to get away and clear my thoughts.

With my heels clicking on the marble floor, I slipped out of the ballroom and headed for the garden outside. My mind racing, I trembled and exhaled the cool night air that felt like a balm.

The memory of Liana’s smug smirk burned in my head, feeding the fire in my chest. She felt she’d won, that she’d wiped me from Ethan’s life. But she didn’t comprehend. She didn’t know the depth of what we’d shared or the strength I held.

As I strolled down the lawn, the sound of faraway voices drew my attention. I followed the noise, my curiosity heightened, until I reached a hidden area where two people stood in deep conversation.

It was Ethan and Liana.

My pulse pounding, I froze and dove behind a nearby tree. Even though I couldn't hear every word, their tones were enough to make me uneasy. Ethan's voice was calmer and more measured, as if he was trying to calm her, but Liana's was high-pitched and laced with annoyance.

“I told you, this isn’t the time,” Ethan continued, his tone strained.

“And I told you, we need to handle this now,” Liana shot back.

Handle what?

I moved forward, straining to hear, but a sudden rustle in the bushes nearby surprised me. My breath seized as I squeezed myself against the tree, praying they hadn’t noticed.

“What was that?” Liana's words cut through the night air with their sharp voice.

Ethan furrowed his brows as he turned to face the source. “Probably just an animal,” he remarked, though his tone lacked confidence.

Liana didn’t look convinced, but she let it drop. “Fine. But we’re not done talking about this.”

She stormed off, her robe trailing after her like a shadow. Ethan remained for a while, his gaze enigmatic, before following her back into the ballroom.

I waited till their footsteps faded before walking out from my hiding position. My mind raced with questions. What had they been battling about? And why did it feel like there was more to their story than everyone realized?

As I stood there in the darkness, a single thought grabbed hold, acute and unrelenting: this wasn’t simply about a competition between sisters. Something more profound was involved, something that was hiding beneath the surface.

And I would do whatever it took to find out what it was.