A reverse Cinderella

Chapter 1 Talia’s POV The city sparkles beneath me, each light a tiny beacon in the night. The view is magnificent, but it does nothing to soothe the constant ache in my chest. I’m standing out on my balcony, savoring the cold sting of the night air as I swirl the wine in my glass, letting the rich aroma fill my senses. Some people say wine mellows the soul, but for me, it’s more of a companion a small comfort as I try to drown out the past that still haunts me, even after all these years. I let out a long sigh, casting a glance back at my penthouse, every inch of it a testament to the blood, sweat, and sacrifice that got me here. My name is listed among the Forbes 100 richest entrepreneurs, a self-made billionaire who climbed her way out of hell and into the world’s spotlight. People call me "hard," "cold," "untouchable." They think I don’t care about anything but success, but they’re wrong. There’s only one thing in this world I care about Mabel, my little sister. She’s the one who makes this all worthwhile. As long as she’s happy, as long as she’s safe, I can keep going. I take another sip of wine, savoring the bittersweet taste. If only the memories didn’t linger, festering in my mind like scars that never truly heal. People say childhood is supposed to be a time of warmth and safety, but mine was nothing of the sort. I shake my head, forcing myself not to go there, but the memories are relentless tonight, weaving through my mind despite every effort to push them back. There was never a haven for me. I remember the chill of our cramped apartment, the stale air that hung over everything, the endless shouting that echoed through those narrow walls. My mother was a ghost of herself, worn down by a life she hadn’t chosen. My father… well, he was another story. Cold, vicious, a man who wore cruelty like a second skin. I still remember the sound of his footsteps late at night, the way my heart would pound, praying he wouldn’t turn his anger toward me. But he often did. I was young, too young to fight back. Too scared to even think about escaping. Those days blurred together in a haze of bruises and harsh words, each one leaving a mark that cut deeper than any physical pain. And through it all, I clung to one thing, a desperate need to survive, to escape. I swore to myself that one day, I would never have to depend on anyone. That I would be so powerful, so wealthy, that no one could ever hurt me or the people I loved again. As I got older, I threw myself into my studies. Books became my escape, my sanctuary. I worked harder than anyone, often studying by candlelight when the electricity was cut off because we couldn’t pay the bills. I took on part-time jobs whenever I could as a waitress, scrubbing floors, tutoring kids who had no idea what real struggle looked like. Every dollar went toward my future, every late night, every sacrifice was a step closer to freedom. By the time I left for college, I was already halfway to becoming the woman I am today: hard, unyielding, and determined to never let anyone break me again. I drained my glass, feeling the familiar numbness settle over me, comforting in its way. Forbes, the wealth, and the accolades were proof of my resilience and my refusal to stay broken. But even now, I carry the scars of those years, buried under layers of steel and indifference. No one sees that side of me. No one ever will. A soft ding from the elevator pulls me back to the present. The heavy doors slide open, and I hear the unmistakable laughter and light footsteps that belong to Mabel and Clarissa. I set my glass down on the balcony rail and straightened up, steeling myself. No matter how cold or hard the world thinks I am, for them, I’ll always be something different. I’ll be the sister, the friend they need me to be. Mabel bursts through the doors first, her cheeks flushed with excitement, her eyes practically glowing as she waves a handful of shopping bags at me. “Talia! You should have come with us. The sales were insane!” she exclaims, her voice filled with that unfiltered joy that only she seems to have. Clarissa, trailing behind her with a grin, rolls her eyes playfully. "She’s not kidding. I think we cleared out half the stores. You should’ve seen Mabel bargaining with the poor sales clerk as her life depended on it.” I raise an eyebrow, crossing my arms as I leaned back against the railing. “Is that so? I hope you both left something for the rest of the city.” Mabel laughs, setting her bags down and running over to me. “We might have… but only a little.” She wraps her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug. Her warmth, her innocence, it’s like a balm to my soul. As she pulls back, her eyes soften, looking at me with that innocent curiosity that always makes me feel like I’m under a spotlight. “Are you okay, Talia?” she asks softly, catching me off guard. She always sees a bit too much and always senses the shadows I try so hard to hide. I force a smile, reaching out to smooth a strand of her hair back behind her ear. “I’m fine. Just a long day, that’s all.” It’s a lie, but it’s one I’ve perfected over the years. Clarissa gives me a knowing look, her gaze sharp as ever. “She’s lying, Mabel,” she says with a smirk. “Talia always says ‘just a long day’ when she’s brooding about something. Spill, T. What’s on your mind?” I laughed, shaking my head. “Nothing gets past you two, does it?” “Not a chance,” Clarissa teases, grabbing a bottle of wine from the table and pouring herself a glass. She raises it in my direction, a playful challenge in her eyes. “Come on, out with it.” I take a deep breath, brushing the hair back from my face as I consider how much to tell them. But then, as always, the walls go up, the armor slides into place. “Honestly, there’s nothing to worry about. I was just thinking about the Forbes thing, that’s all. Reflecting, I guess.” Mabel lit up, her face breaking into a huge smile. “You should be celebrating, Talia! You worked so hard for this. No one deserves it more than you.” Her words bring a pang of something bittersweet, a reminder of why I do all of this. “You’re right,” I say softly, lifting my glass in a mock toast. “To hard work, success… and clearing out every store in the city.” We all laugh, and for a moment, the heaviness lifts, the laughter filling the penthouse with a warmth that makes everything else seem distant. I look at them, my sister and my best friend, and my smile becomes a little easier, a little more genuine. Because if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s masking the pain, keeping the past hidden where no one else can see it. They don’t need to know the darkness I carry. They don’t need to know the scars I hide. For tonight, I’ll be exactly who they think I am. Talia, the strong, unbreakable woman who lets nothing touch her heart.