The Eldest Daughter's Revenge

Chapter2

I’m your eldest daughter. How could you do this to me?” Sophia’s voice cracked as she looked at her parents, her tear-filled eyes searching their faces for a shred of remorse or an explanation.

Her gaze shifted to Ethan, the man she had loved with all her heart. “ Ethan, today is supposed to be our wedding. Why are you doing this to me? You said you loved me. Was it all a lie?”

Ethan’s cold eyes bore into hers, devoid of any emotion. He stood still, his expression unreadable, as though she were a complete stranger to him.

Suddenly, a mocking laugh broke the silence. Startled, Sophia turned to see her younger sister, Rose, standing next to Ivy. The satisfaction on their faces made her stomach churn.

“Brother Ethan,” Rose purred as she walked up to him and slid her arms around his. “Do you love her, or do you love me?”

A gentle smile graced Ethan’s face as he leaned down and pressed a kiss to Rose’s forehead. “What nonsense are you saying? Today is our wedding. Of course, I love you,” he said warmly.

Sophia’s legs wobbled as the weight of his words hit her. She looked around, desperately hoping this was some cruel misunderstanding. But the smug triumph in Rose’s eyes told her otherwise.

Her younger sister cast her a victorious glance and snapped her fingers, signaling the guards. Before Sophia could react, a sharp pain shot through her arm. Her head whipped around to see a guard withdrawing a syringe from her skin.

“What… what are you doing?” she mumbled, her voice weak as dizziness clouded her senses.

Her struggles ceased as her limbs grew heavy. Her vision blurred, and the world around her faded to black.

When Sophia opened her eyes, she was greeted by darkness and bone-chilling cold. Her body ached, and she realized she was tied to a chair. The coarse ropes bit into her wrists and ankles. Her breathing quickened as she scanned the room, finding only emptiness and silence.

Memories of what had happened earlier flooded her mind, and fresh tears streamed down her face. “Why?” she whispered brokenly. “Why would they do this to me?”

Her heart shattered as she recalled her parents’ indifferent faces, Ethan’s betrayal, and her sister’s cruel smirk. A family is supposed to love and protect you. How could they stab me in the back like this?

Sophia had always believed she was cherished as the eldest daughter of the Lane family. Not only was she extraordinarily beautiful, but she was also brilliant, her talents earning her accolades from a young age. Yet, from the beginning, her life had been full of restrictions and secrecy.

Her parents had demanded she hide her beauty and true identity from the world. “For your protection,” they had said. Dutiful and obedient, she had followed their every instruction without question. She had trusted them completely.

Sophia had two younger siblings— Rose, her sister, and Eric, her brother. Unlike her, they were celebrated and introduced proudly to society as the heirs of the Lane family. She had been told it was for the best if she stayed out of the public eye. Her parents had even arranged for her to live in a separate apartment, far from the family estate.

As a child, she had accepted their decisions without resentment, believing their reasons were valid. But now, the truth became painfully clear. Her exclusion hadn’t been for her protection—it was to erase her existence.

Her sobs echoed in the cold, empty room as the realization settled over her like a heavy shroud. Everything she had ever known, everything she had trusted, was a lie.

Sophia had always trusted her parents. Their love and approval were all she needed, so she never questioned their decisions or the rules they set for her. As the eldest child, she shouldered many responsibilities, while her younger siblings were showered with affection and indulgence.

Despite the unequal treatment, she never let resentment take root in her heart. She did everything asked of her, believing it was her duty as the eldest daughter. Her intelligence and knack for business were undeniable, and she used her skills to support her father in transforming Lane Corporations into one of the top five companies in the industry.

But the recognition for her efforts always went to her younger brother, Eric. It didn’t bother her—he was family, and his success felt like her own.

Her life took a turn during a family dinner when she met Ethan for the first time. The Carter and Lane families were close, so the gathering was nothing out of the ordinary. What was unexpected, however, was the spark she felt when she saw him. Handsome and confident, Ethan exuded charm and sophistication. As the sole heir of the Carter family, he carried himself with a magnetic allure that drew people to him effortlessly.

Sophia fell for him instantly, but she kept her feelings hidden, choosing to admire him from a distance. She never expected him to notice her, let alone return her feelings. When he eventually confessed his interest in her, it felt like a dream come true.

Their relationship blossomed, and Sophia’s quiet life filled with love and anticipation for the future. Her dream of becoming an actress remained unfulfilled, as her parents had dismissed the idea outright. Instead, she turned her passion for creativity into a career as a fashion designer, eventually becoming the enigmatic and renowned LX.

Her younger sister, Rose, on the other hand, was encouraged to pursue acting. Sophia supported her wholeheartedly and often stepped in as her substitute when necessary, playing roles under her sister’s name. Fame was never her goal; acting was her passion, and even in anonymity, she found joy in it. It was Sophia who created the iconic image of “Goddess Lane” that Rose enjoyed.

She made similar sacrifices for her best friend, Ivy, giving her original songs to perform and helping her shine in the music industry. These compromises never felt like burdens to her; seeing her loved ones succeed brought her genuine happiness.

When Ethan proposed to her, Sophia felt like her life was finally falling into place. She envisioned a future where she no longer had to live in the shadows. Their wedding would reveal her true identity, and she would finally be free to live as herself, alongside the man she loved.

But her dreams were shattered in the cruelest way. The very people she had trusted with her life—her family, her best friend, and the man she loved—were the ones who turned against her. They didn’t just betray her; they stripped her of everything she held dear.

Sitting alone in the cold, dark room, Sophia’s laughter echoed bitterly. Memories of her sacrifices and devotion stabbed at her like sharp blades. How could they? How could the people she had given her all to betray her so thoroughly?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice. Looking up, she spotted a TV screen flickering to life in the corner of the room. The broadcast displayed a lavish wedding, one she recognized immediately.

Her hands curled into fists as she glared at the smiling couple on the screen. A reporter’s voice rang out, cheerful and enthusiastic:

“Today marks one of the most anticipated weddings of the year! That’s right—our beloved Goddess Lane is tying the knot with her childhood sweetheart, Young Master Ethan!”

Sophia’s blood boiled as she watched her sister, Rose, standing beside Ethan, dressed in a gown that should have been hers. Betrayal burned in her chest, threatening to consume her entirely.