Claimed by the Sterling heir

The Shattered Mirror

The environment grew cold and it felt like no one else was there apart from the both of us. The loud chattering from the crowd disappeared and I couldn't hear the glasses clinking or the rich laughter and music coming from the party. I couldn't hear anything anymore. I could feel my hands shaking slightly and my blood felt cold while my lips went dry. It was hard to even swallow. The fear was growing but I tried holding it back. The sight of his face gave me chills down my spine but I forced myself to glare back at him directly. It was my nightmare who sought to destroy me,Kyle Sterling. Our eyes finally met and it shot sparks not just of enmity but something deeper that we couldn't understand.

​"Well well well... isn't it our princess Cinderella. What a very beautiful coincidence isn't it?" he asked obviously playing for the crowd. This was the start of his plan. I wondered what he was even doing here.

​"f**k off" I said trying to shove past him but he held my arm in a iron grip.

​"Have you forgotten you owe me? Or should I give you a quick reminder" he said. He reached out for a steak knife from a nearby table and grabbed it so tightly his knuckles grew white.

​ The fear was starting to show. Something clicked in him and the vibrating anger showed on his face. I managed to wrench my arm from his grip and ran toward the stairs to avoid more trouble but he caught up to me and held me even more vigorously.

​"Let go of me you i***t" I struggled but he didn't budge. I couldn't scream for help because I didn't want to ruin my "perfect" sister's party so I had to deal with it alone. But the struggle began to draw attention and people were moving closer to see what was going on.

​"Did you think you would get away easily?" he hissed. Just then he let go. Without any balance or friction I stumbled backward uncontrollably bumping into a waiter and falling hard onto the floor.

​The smell was horrible. My body was soaked in juice alcohol and cocktails. My white dress and my hair were completely ruined. Everyone paused and all eyes were on me. Some began to laugh while others whispered. But my family..the look on their faces made it clear they were disappointed. Elena had a terrible look of anger and disgust. She was going to get revenge I knew her too well.

​Kyle had a mischievous grin and pure satisfaction written all over his face. He had succeeded in embarrassing me in front of everyone. This was only the beginning of his revenge. He stood there with a smirk while I tried to see through the drinks dripping down my face. My family didn't even come near me. Tears gathered in my eyes making me unable to see the disgusting look on their faces properly. The pain felt like a heavy load on my chest. I didn't just hate Kyle I hated everyone who laughed and watched. I wished the earth would open up and swallow me because the shame was suffocating. To save my last bit of self-respect I stormed out of the party and fled to my room.

​The party was almost ruined. Most of all I felt pity for myself. I was always alone and even my own mother valued her social status more than her daughter. I quit the thought so I wouldn't cry any more. I felt a bit better after changing into comfortable clothes where no one could judge me.

​"Hopefully the party will be fine without me" I thought and sighed.

​Just then I heard a knock on the door. It was Elena. Before I could say a word she slapped me. I wasn't even shocked.

​"Are you that jealous?" she asked fuming.

​"Elena I didn't cause that okay?" I defended myself but she didn't listen.

​"Did you know that the Sterlings are one of Dad's biggest investors? Do you really want us to remain in this mess?" she asked.

​Sterling? Kyle Sterling was the son of Dad's investor. I was deeply confused. I didn't want to be associated with that family especially now that Kyle was hunting me.

​"You really want to ruin my party don't you?" she shouted. "Because I have everything you couldn't achieve you are jealous!"

​I had to retaliate. I slapped her back because her words stung. She didn't achieve those things without taking them from me first. She was the jealous one not me.

​Just then she let out the beast. She kept throwing things and screaming at the top of her lungs. I tried calming her down because the guests downstairs could hear her. Not long after Dad and Mom walked in. Without a word Dad's hand hit my face very hard and I lost my balance falling to the floor. I held my face in disbelief. It was the first time he had ever hit me. I was shocked and Mom just stood there looking at me with those cold eyes she saved only for me.

​"Why do you hate the success of others? You ruined the party you witch. You spoiled the only chance I had to get us out of this mess" he said. He grabbed me by the arm and dragged me downstairs.

​The room was totally empty. They had sent everyone home.

​"See? They went home. You caused a nuisance and they left one by one... you keep putting me to shame!" he yelled and walked away from me.

​"Mom... my party" Elena said putting on her innocent mask that gave me goosebumps. It was irritating how none of them questioned her. I stood up in pure rage and pushed over the tables in my way until the plates smashed on the floor. I didn't care. I was ready to do anything.

​When I entered my room I began to cry uncontrollably. Not just because my face was hurting but the emotional pain was too much. I cried until I drifted into a heavy sleep.

​It was early when the sun woke me. I came downstairs and saw the maids were very busy cleaning up the mess from last night. I felt pity for them; they weren't slaves but the house was a disaster. Meanwhile Elena Mom and Dad were already at the dining table. They pretended nothing had happened yesterdayno apologies and no scolding. It was the worst feeling.

​"I have an announcement" Mom said frankly.

​She didn't even look at me and I was starting not to care. I put on a nonchalant face. Not until the announcement hit me like a rock. It was finally happening... what I feared most was only starting to come true