Chapter 4: The Perfect Family (or So They Think)
1368 Words
Dana stood in front of the full-length mirror, staring at her reflection in the pale blue dress Beatrice had chosen for her. It was elegant—too elegant—flowing down to her ankles with delicate embroidery at the waist. It looked wrong on her.
This wasn’t her.
She clenched her fists. She didn’t want to be part of this. She didn’t want to stand beside people who had shattered her life and smile like everything was fine.
A knock at the door.
She didn’t answer, but the door opened anyway.
Her father.
“Are you ready?” Damien asked, his voice carefully neutral.
Dana met his gaze through the mirror. “Do I have a choice?”
His expression tensed, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he sighed. “Dana, please. Let’s just get through today.”
She turned to him. “Just like how you’re getting through this whole mess? Ignoring how I feel and pretending everything’s perfect?”
Damien’s jaw clenched. “That’s not fair.”
Dana let out a cold laugh. “Neither is this.”
She grabbed her phone from the dresser and walked past him, not waiting for a response.
******
The photo studio was set up in their grand living room. Large softbox lights cast a warm glow over the velvet backdrop, and the photographer—a woman with a forced cheerful smile—adjusted her camera as she directed everyone into position.
Beatrice stood in the center, her arm looped through Damien’s like they were some storybook couple. Vittoria was to their right, looking effortlessly graceful in a champagne-colored dress that screamed money.
Dana took her place beside her father, stiff as stone.
“You look lovely, Dana,” Beatrice said, her voice sickeningly sweet.
Dana didn’t respond.
The photographer clapped her hands. “Alright, let’s start with a simple family shot! Everyone, smile!”
Dana’s lips barely moved.
Click.
Another pose.
Click.
Beatrice rested her head on Damien’s shoulder.
Click.
Vittoria linked arms with Dana.
Dana flinched.
Click.
Vittoria leaned in, lowering her voice just enough for only Dana to hear.
“Smile wider, sister. We wouldn’t want people to think you’re miserable.”
Dana’s teeth clenched.
Click.
The moment the photographer called for a break, Dana yanked her arm away and stepped aside, resisting the urge to shove Vittoria off the set.
Vittoria smirked. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Dana glared. “Shut up.”
Vittoria gasped dramatically. “Oh, but Dana, we need to get used to this! After all, we’re family now.”
Dana’s nails dug into her palms.
Beatrice turned to her. “Dana, sweetheart, why don’t we take a few shots with just us girls?”
Dana’s entire body stiffened.
Dana looked at her briefly, then glanced at the photographer and Vittoria. “Yeah, sure,” she muttered, uncrossing her arms.
Without waiting for Beatrice’s full approval, Dana walked over to the spot. She had no real enthusiasm for it but figured it was easier than dragging it out.
Beatrice and Vittoria both shifted to take their places, and Dana reluctantly stood between them, still not fully invested in the moment.
“Let’s make this quick, alright?” Dana said, her voice casual as she stood stiffly between them.
Vittoria flashed a perfect smile, tilting her head slightly to the side, posing effortlessly. Beatrice, equally poised, gave a gentle smile, her hand placed carefully on Dana’s shoulder. Dana stood with her hands by her sides, her expression impassive.
“Perfect,” the photographer said, snapping a few photos. “Alright, one more.”
Dana wasn’t even trying to look natural at this point. She simply let the camera flash again, barely lifting her chin for the shot.
After a few more clicks, the photographer lowered the camera, signaling the end of the shoot. “That’s a wrap for the girls. Thank you!”
Dana stepped back, already walking away before Beatrice could say anything else.
"Thank you, Dana," Beatrice called after her. “I appreciate you doing this. It means a lot.”
Dana didn’t look back. “Yeah, yeah. Let me know when we’re done.” She turned the corner and headed for the exit, not bothering to wait for anyone else.
****
Dinner was worse.
The long dining table was set with elegant china, expensive wine glasses, and candlelit centerpieces. It looked like something out of a royal banquet, and Dana hated it.
She sat stiffly across from Vittoria, with Damien at the head of the table and Beatrice beside him. Servants moved around, setting dishes down carefully.
Beatrice beamed. “I had the chef prepare all of Damien’s favorites tonight.”
Dana’s grip tightened on her fork.
Her father smiled, oblivious. “Everything looks amazing.”
Vittoria picked up her glass of water, swirling it lazily. “So, Dana,” she mused, her voice dripping with fake curiosity. “How’s school been?”
Dana didn’t look up. “Fine.”
Beatrice’s eyes lit up. “Oh, speaking of school! Vittoria told me she’s adjusting well at Westwood. Isn’t that wonderful, Dana? You two can finally bond.”
Dana stabbed her salad with unnecessary force.
Vittoria smirked. “Oh, we’re bonding, alright.”
Dana lifted an eyebrow but didn’t look up. “Yeah, super exciting.”
Vittoria leaned forward, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You don’t sound thrilled. Shouldn’t you be happy I’m here? We’re family now.”
Dana didn’t even glance at her. “Mmm, yeah. Family.” She muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Beatrice, ever the peacemaker, tried again. “I’m sure it’ll be nice having us all together. It’s a big change, but I’m hoping we’ll all adjust quickly.”
Dana picked up her glass of water, swirling it in her hand before taking a sip. “Sure. I’m adjusting great,” she said with a nonchalant shrug.
Vittoria smirked, clearly not taking the hint. “You know, Dana, I’ve been trying to fit in. It’s hard when you don’t want me here.”
“Yeah, it’s real hard,” Dana replied lazily, tapping her fork on the side of her plate. “But I’m sure you’ll manage.”
Beatrice smiled, clearly trying to smooth things over. “Dana, I understand this isn’t easy, but I want you to know I’m not trying to replace your mother. I know how important she was to you.”
Dana didn’t meet her gaze. “Replace her?” She let out a dry laugh. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m not worried about that. I’m sure she’s fine where she is.”
Vittoria watched Dana closely, an almost calculating look in her eyes. “You know, it’s hard being the new girl in this family. I thought we could at least try to get along. I mean, you’re not even giving it a shot.”
Dana casually leaned back in her chair. “I’m giving it a shot. You just can’t expect me to roll over and be besties, though.”
Vittoria’s eyes flickered with irritation, but she kept her smile in place. “Fair enough. But you could at least try to be civil.”
“I’m civil,” Dana said, her voice dripping with indifference. “This is me being civil.”
The conversation faltered. Beatrice looked between them, but it was clear her efforts to bond weren’t going as planned.
Damien looked uncomfortable but didn’t step in.
Dana was just too tired for this. Her father had made his choice. Beatrice and Vittoria were part of her life now whether she liked it or not. She wasn’t going to pretend to be happy about it.
Vittoria, still holding onto her confident exterior, let out a fake sigh. “If you’re going to keep being like this, you’ll be miserable. But hey, I guess that’s your choice.”
Dana didn’t even flinch. “Oh no, I’ll be just fine. You don’t have to worry about me.”
Vittoria’s smirk wavered, but she didn’t press further.
Instead, the meal continued in tense silence, punctuated by Dana’s casual, dismissive comments and Beatrice’s increasingly strained attempts to keep things light.
But for Dana, it didn’t matter. She had already checked out.
- Writer
