be my support, b

ith this thinly veiled look of disgust, like she co

ced. She always notice

ir of the exclusive beauty salon, fid

shoulders, clashing spectacularly with the neon gree

a star, the other a crescent moon, and she w I'ma

ing with forced politeness. "Don't you thin

she owned the place. "Nope. I'm perfectly comf

ther. "Evie, could you please explain to your... fr

id, shrugging. "But she's here for me

she turned to the beautician, plastering on a tight smile. "Let's just get started, shall we? My d

under my breath. "Right. B

e meeting Alexander's colleagues, his business partners. These people will

auditioning for a reality s

t me. "And don't forget, this isn't just about you. It's

othing says united family like dragging your d

nd so fast I thought her n

uickly, shooting

etely unfazed. "I'm just sayi

turned back to the beautician, waving her hand dismissivel

mfortable with the tension, and gestured for

mbs-up. "You've got this, Evie.

s I walked past her. "I'll be fine," I said, m

-

was like me going f

d more skincare products tha

celain, my hair fell in glossy waves down my back, and my

t room, Elara let out a low whistl

h I couldn't help but s

wn with a critical eye. "It'll do," she said,

roaning. "Mum, we've alr

ag and standing. "And we're not lea

ympathetic shrug. "You're on your o

to the waiting car. As the driver pulled away, my

for this one day,

, staring out the

oa

was...oh my

eaming right rich. Chandeliers that probably cost more than my entire life sparkled ove

hard. This wasn't just a mansi

ver...wait is that diam

agant that one couldn't

my mum, whispered sharpl

jaw shut, gla

ad, she was draped in a sleek emerald-green dress that fit her perfectly

immediately snap back at her for

e hushed but firm. "Cutlery starts from the outside in. Cup

m, I'm not a kid. I k

smile tight as we were led toward the g

d of us swung open, revealing a large sitting room that

was, Alexan

looked like he belonged in every

ir was neatly styled, and his tailored suit fit h

ed on my mum, and the way his face lit up as he kissed her on

him, and for a moment,

seen her

vie," Alexander said, tur

. The dress hugged my figure without being too tight, its delicate lace sleeves adding just the

ent, then smiled. "You look

down, tucking a strand of hair behind

ey you spent on her," a voice dra

were crossed, her blue eyes cutting through me like glass. Her platinum blonde hair was

said, gesturing toward her, "is m

stepsister." Her tone was dripping with sar

?" Alexander asked, i

ing stupid," she mutte

fr

de

t could

i as Alexander began explaining something to

k, brushing it off. "Alexander's son is a footb

ut before I could, the sound of

," a deep, fami

the door, and

ed suit and looking like he'd just walked o

y s

de

-night stan