Sweet For You, Ruthless For Others

'Here goes nothing.'

The rhythmic click of heels brought a hush over the lively chatter in the hall. 

All heads turned as a tall, slender figure stepped gracefully inside. She was breathtaking. 

Dressed in a simple yet stunning black lace dress that clung delicately to her curves, she radiated effortless elegance. 

Her long black hair cascaded in luxurious waves down her back, gleaming under the soft light like spun silk but her posture was poised yet betraying a hint of hesitation.

A touch of light makeup enhanced her natural beauty, drawing attention to her perfectly sculpted features—her dainty chin, straight, delicate nose, and soft pink lips, painted just a shade deeper with lipstick. 

'Is this the right decide?' she thought moving nonetheless.

Her porcelain-white skin was flawless, smooth, and luminous, the kind most could only dream of achieving.

She paused for a moment, her soft blue eyes sweeping across the room like a gentle breeze. 

They held a curious yet hesitant gleam, taking in the unfamiliar faces gathered for the celebration. 

She knew no one here, but she had come with a purpose—to connect, to socialize, to perhaps find a friend or two in this sea of strangers.

As her gaze landed on her sister, her resolve seemed to waver for just a heartbeat. Still, she resumed her walk, each step a lesson in grace, like a queen making her entrance. 

Yet, beneath the poised exterior, her eyes betrayed a flicker of shyness, of uncertainty. 

Her confident strides carried her forward, though every step was an act of will. She walked with the air of someone who belonged, even if she wasn't quite sure she did.

"You've got some nerve showing up here, being nothing more than the daughter of a mistress," Selena sneered, her sharp hazel eyes locking on Hermia. 

The venom in her tone was impossible to miss, and it hung in the air like a slap.

Hermia's soft blue eyes widened, her breath catching at the unexpected public jab. She hadn't thought Selena would dare say something so cruel—especially not so loudly, in the middle of a party. 

But she had underestimated just how far her half-sister was willing to go, she rushed to take the empty seat next to her sister without looking around like she was caught doing something bad.

"Selena—" Hermia began, her voice low and tentative, but Selena didn't give her the chance to speak.

"Why so quiet?" Selena interrupted with a mocking smirk, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" Her eyes glinted as she glanced around, ensuring everyone was paying attention. 

She made it seem like she was simply curious, but her intent was clear—to humiliate Hermia.

Hermia inhaled deeply, willing herself to stay composed as Selena's group began chiming in, their voices like nails on a chalkboard.

"Well, at least she has the decency to feel ashamed," Esther said with a snort, her tone as scornful as her narrowed gaze.

Hermia's fingers curled into fists at her sides, her heart pounding. 

She didn't want to let their words affect her, but it was hard to stay unaffected when they attacked her so openly, treating her family's private shame as if it were public entertainment.

Hermia bit her lip, her gaze fixed on her feet. She had always known she wasn't loved—neither by her family nor by anyone else. 

Her life had been hard for as long as she could remember, a constant battle to fit in, yet she always felt like an outsider. 

Her words were often misunderstood, twisted into something she hadn't intended, and no matter what she did, people seemed to assume she had ulterior motives.

Today, for the first time in a long while, she'd tried something different. Something she normally wouldn't.

An anonymous invitation to a birthday party had arrived, and after a month of staying home since her return, she thought it might be nice to go out. Meet people and stop being a damn depressed extrovert.

But now, standing at the edge of the gathering, she realized it might have been a mistake. She wasn't wanted here!

Her sister's icy glares and thinly veiled hostility made it clear she was in for a rough night.

Hermia swallowed hard, hoping she could endure the evening without drawing her father's wrath, in fact the whole family's scorn but she knew it would be difficult because they would attack her until she breaks.

A woman with exaggerated lips folded her arms tightly and addressed the crowd with a smooth but biting tone. "Why is she even here?" she asked, her words laced with disdain.

Nearby tables began to quiet, heads subtly turning as curiosity spread. Selena didn't miss the chance to escalate.

"She clearly doesn't know her place," Selena muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose as if Hermia's presence alone was exhausting. "I'm tired of her."

Selena's jealousy burned quietly but intensely, it was like a flame that had been kindled long ago and never extinguished. 

Hermia had always been the unwanted bastard in their family, but somehow, she outshone Selena in ways that mattered the most.

Hermia's beauty was effortless—elegant and soft, the kind that both men and women admired. It was infuriating. 

Though Selena was younger by only a few months, they existed within the same social circle, competing for the same opportunities and attention. 

And yet, Selena always felt like she came in second.

She was the legitimate daughter, the one who belonged. So why did it feel like Hermia was the one destined to take everything? 

Hermia's presence alone was a threat, a constant reminder of everything Selena lacked. Hermia excelled academically, dazzled artistically, and carried herself with an aura that drew people in without even trying.

Selena clenched her fists at the memories of their childhood. In elementary school, Hermia had been surrounded by friends, laughter, and adoration. 

Meanwhile, Selena had been left to glare from the sidelines, consumed by bitterness. Back then, she had made a silent promise: one day, Hermia would know what it felt like to be lonely and insignificant.

And now, Selena had her chance. This was her turn to make Hermia feel small, to ensure that Hermia could never threaten her place again. 

No one would take Selena's spotlight—not even someone as infuriatingly perfect as Hermia.

A new voice cut through, belonging to Sasha, one of Selena's supposed friends. Her tone was casual, but her words carried an edge. "Selena, are you jealous of her because she got to live and study in the US?"