Chapter 3: Unwelcome Intrusion
1133 Words
It had been a week since the announcement, but Dana still hadn’t adjusted.
Her home no longer felt like her own. Wedding planners had taken over, turning the once-familiar halls into a battlefield of floral arrangements, fabric swatches, and seating charts. Every time she stepped out of her room, she was met with discussions about venue choices, catering options, and guest lists.
And then there was Beatrice.
She was everywhere. Sitting in the living room, laughing with Dana’s father over coffee. Walking through the house like she already owned it. Moving things, adjusting decorations, making changes.
Dana avoided her as much as possible, but no matter what she did, she couldn’t escape the truth. Beatrice wasn’t just here to visit. She was here to stay.
And worst of all? Vittoria was coming too.
The thought alone made Dana’s stomach turn.
She tightened her grip on her bag as she entered Westwood Academy that morning, her jaw clenched so hard it hurt.
“You okay?” Isla asked, walking beside her.
Dana forced a nod. “Fine.”
Selah scoffed. “Liar. You look like you’re ready to commit murder.”
Dana didn’t deny it.
And then, as if the universe wanted to test her patience, a hush fell over the hallway.
Dana didn’t need to turn around to know why.
Whispers spread like wildfire. People stopped to stare.
She took a deep breath before finally looking.
There, standing at the entrance in a perfectly pressed uniform, was Vittoria Santiago.
The smug, satisfied smile on her face made Dana’s blood boil.
Selah cursed under her breath. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“Tell me I’m hallucinating,” Isla muttered.
But this was no hallucination.
Vittoria was here. In her school. Her space.
And she looked thrilled about it.
As if sensing Dana’s gaze, Vittoria met her eyes and smirked. Then, in a slow, deliberate move, she flipped her perfectly curled hair over her shoulder and made her way inside—her expensive designer shoes clicking against the floor like a warning bell.
The whispers grew louder.
“What’s she doing here?”
“Wait, isn’t that Dana’s rival?”
“I thought she went to Blackwood Academy?”
“Didn’t you hear? She transferred. Her mom’s engaged to Dana’s dad.”
Dana’s grip tightened on her bag. She transferred?
She hadn’t been told. Of course, she hadn’t.
Vittoria was enjoying this. She was relishing Dana’s misery.
Selah looked like she wanted to fight someone. “There’s no way she transferred just because of the engagement.”
Isla frowned. “Maybe she wanted to be closer to Dana’s dad’s money.”
Dana knew the truth. This wasn’t just about the money. This was about power.
Vittoria had been humiliated at their last match. Dana had taken the win, and now, Vittoria was getting revenge in her own way. She wasn’t just going to be in Dana’s house—she was going to invade her school, her personal space, her entire life.
And the worst part? Dana couldn’t do anything about it.
The bell rang, snapping Dana out of her thoughts.
Vittoria was still smirking.
Dana turned on her heel and walked away.
This day was about to get worse.
****
Dana tried to focus in class, but it was impossible.
Vittoria had managed to get into all of her advanced classes.
It wasn’t a coincidence.
Dana kept her face blank, refusing to show weakness. Vittoria wasn’t worth her anger.
But then lunch came.
And Dana lost what little control she had left.
She was sitting with Selah and Isla when a familiar, unwelcome voice rang out.
“Hey, sister. Mind if I join?”
The table fell silent.
Dana slowly looked up.
Vittoria stood there, holding her tray like she actually belonged at their table.
Dana’s blood ran cold.
Selah was the first to react. “What the hell do you want?”
Vittoria pouted. “That’s not very nice. I just thought, since we’re family now, Dana and I should bond.”
Dana’s nails dug into her palm.
“We’re not family,” she said coldly.
Vittoria gasped dramatically. “Oh, come on. You’re hurting my feelings. Our parents are getting married! We should at least try to get along.”
Dana clenched her jaw. “Go sit somewhere else.”
But Vittoria didn’t move. Instead, she leaned in closer, lowering her voice so only Dana could hear.
“Face it,” she whispered, eyes glinting with satisfaction. “I win.”
Dana’s breath caught in her throat.
Vittoria leaned back with a smirk and sat down across from her.
She wasn’t leaving.
Dana’s hands curled into fists under the table.
Selah glared at Vittoria. “You do realize no one wants you here, right?”
Vittoria just smiled, popping a grape into her mouth. “Oh, but I belong here now, don’t I?” She looked at Dana with amusement. “Isn’t that right, sister?”
Dana wanted to scream.
This wasn’t just about the wedding anymore.
This was a war.
And Vittoria had just fired the first shot
*****
By the time Dana got home, she was exhausted.
The second she walked through the door, she knew she wouldn’t find peace here either.
The living room was filled with wedding planners, decorators, and staff running around like headless chickens. White floral arrangements were scattered everywhere. A woman was holding up different invitation designs. Beatrice stood in the center of it all, flipping through a wedding catalog, smiling like she had already won.
Dana’s father was nowhere to be seen. Of course.
Beatrice spotted her and beamed. “Dana, sweetheart! Welcome home!”
Dana’s stomach turned.
She didn’t answer.
Beatrice frowned slightly. “I was just about to call you down. I wanted your opinion on the wedding colors. I was thinking ivory and gold—something elegant.”
Dana didn’t care.
She didn’t care about this wedding. She didn’t care about anything Beatrice had to say.
“Do whatever you want,” Dana muttered, turning to leave.
Beatrice’s voice followed her. “I know this is hard for you, Dana.”
Dana froze.
Beatrice continued, stepping closer. “I want you to know I’m not trying to replace your mother.”
Dana turned slowly.
Her expression was cold. “You already did.”
Silence.
For the first time, Beatrice looked uncomfortable.
Dana didn’t wait for a response. She turned and walked upstairs, slamming her door shut behind her.
She sank onto her bed, breathing heavily.
Vittoria was at her school.
Beatrice was taking over her home.
Her father had abandoned her feelings completely.
Dana clenched her fists, staring at the ceiling.
This wasn’t her life anymore.
It belonged to them.
And she would never forgive them for it.
- Writer
