LIANA
The silk curtains swayed as I stepped out of the boutique’s fitting room, wearing a pale pink dress that hugged every curve of my body.
Stacey’s eyes lit up instantly when she saw me, her hands clapping together like an excited child.
“Liana, you look absolutely stunning!
I swear, you’ll steal the entire show if you walk into Montgomery Group’s gala like that.”
We were at a luxurious boutique, searching for the perfect evening gown for the gala two nights from now.
That night, I needed to look flawless—enchanting enough to capture every gaze, but most of all, his.
Alistair’s.
It’s obvious he only pretends to be indifferent, hiding behind that foolish Isla as if she truly matters.
But I know better.
This is nothing but his pride.
He wants to punish me for the past, to make me believe he’s moved on.
But I saw it in his eyes the moment we met again in his office—he still loves me.
And at the gala, I’ll make sure he remembers exactly why.
I gave Stacey a modest smile, tilting my head just so, as though the compliment embarrassed me.
“You’re too kind, Stacey.
You’re the real stunner—you’re the model between us.
You can make anything look good.”
Her grin widened.
She thrived on praise, always had.
I learned that quickly.
A woman who had never been denied a single thing in her life—of course she craved more of it, like sugar-coated candy to a spoiled child.
“And you are the best fashion designer and best friend I could ever have.
I still can’t get over the last fashion show in France.
Gosh, your designs were all excellent!
No wonder you’re still France’s top designer,” she praised me back.
Maybe that’s also the reason Stacey and I get along so well.
We’re alike when it comes to our taste for luxuries and fashion.
In fact, we’ve been best friends for nearly a decade, ever since we both attended the same university.
She was also the reason I met Alistair in the first place—and helped me return something valuable that belonged to him.
That’s where our love story began.
But I made one reckless decision in the past.
I had let him go— because I thought he would always stay behind Markus.
I was so wrong.
I clenched my fists tightly as the memory came back.
There’s no way I’ll let Isla take Alistair completely.
I swear, I’ll take him back—and make him fall for me again.
We spent hours drifting from boutique to boutique, until our arms were weighed down with branded bags.
Stacey didn’t miss a purchase whenever her eyes caught an elegant piece—handbags, heels, diamond chokers—all expensive and excessive.
I kept up effortlessly, indulging her, smiling at the sales associates—contrasting with Stacey’s arrogance.
“Your designs are fresh, elegant, and so timeless.
Honestly, if I were in charge, I’d make you chief designer tomorrow.”
Her words slid over me like velvet, feeding that delicious swell of pride.
I let out a soft laugh, lowering my lashes.
“Don’t flatter me too much.
I’m still far behind those top designers in the world.”
She looped her arm through mine.
“You’re better than half the people working there, okay?
My only regret is that we’re not sisters.
Imagine you as my sister-in-law…I’d be the happiest woman alive.”
Her voice rang with dreamy delight, while my smile stayed perfectly polished.
Sister-in-law.
My bitterness and hate rose again.
The very phrase was a sharp knife, twisting inside me.
It should’ve been me beside Alistair.
Me, and not that undeserving little nobody.
But outwardly, I only squeezed Stacey’s hand and said warmly, “Who knows what the future holds?”
We slipped into the spa afterward and had a full-body massage.
The scent of lavender and honey completely relaxed my tense nerves.
Stacey chattered endlessly about upcoming shoots and the progress with the guy she had been dating for months.
Her laughter filled the room like tinkling bells.
“And you, Liana—if you ever get tired of designing, you could be a model too.
Look at you!
It’s unfair for one woman to have both beauty and brains.”
I laughed softly at her remarks.
“And steal the spotlight from you?
Never.
I wouldn’t do that to my best sister.”
Her cheeks flushed with delight.
She leaned back, sighing.
“I can’t wait for the gala.
Don’t worry, I will definitely help you get my brother back from that ugly witch,” she flashed me a knowing smile.
My heart swelled at her statement.
Befriending Stacey had been a big help for me to climb back into the Montgomery empire.
When we finished our spa and pampering session, we ended up in a quiet café tucked inside the luxury wing of the same shopping center.
We were savoring pastries and cappuccinos when Stacey’s phone buzzed sharply on the table.
She answered casually, and then her face fell drastically.
Her expression drained as she listened to whoever was calling; the color fled her cheeks.
“What do you mean Alistair has them?” her voice cracked and rose.
“No—no, I told you to handle it quietly!
How could you let this happen, idiot!?”
I stirred my coffee gently, keeping my expression neutral.
When she finally hung up, her hands trembled slightly, fury etched across her face.
“Those bastards!
They ruined everything!”
I blinked innocently. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
“What happened?”
”The Carters!” she spat, nails digging into her palm.
“They were supposed to make Isla look like the incompetent fraud she is.
And now Alistair’s men dragged them in!
Now he knows I paid them!”
Her voice wavered on the last word.
For all her arrogance, Stacey always recoiled at the thought of her brother.
She feared him more than anything.
“What am I going to do, Liana?” she hissed, her composure slowly wavering.
“I know how ruthless my brother can be.
He never listens to anyone, not even Grandma!”
She was starting to panic.
Of course I knew Alistair that well.
But when it came to me, he had always conceded in the past.
Knowing Stacey, she’s fiercely protective of the people she values.
When I ranted to her about my resentments and hatred toward Isla last time, I knew she would step in for me and even ask if there was anything she could do to help.
It just so happened that one of my sources from Northgate Hospital gave me info about the Carters’ child, and Stacey took it and said she’d handle it.
Who would expect Alistair to extend his hand and become protective of his contracted wife!?
I was already furious when they visited yesterday, unceremoniously.
Having this news today only spiked my anger to its extreme point.
“I hate her—I hate that bitch Isla!
That pathetic little tramp—” Stacey simmered.
I reached across the table and laid a soothing hand over hers.
“We’ll think of something,” I said gently, the kind of voice you’d expect from a doting friend.
I was seething inside as well—a thousand times more than she was.
Isla…
the twin I never wished to have!
My teeth ground together behind my smile.
Isla should’ve been destroyed today, humiliated beyond repair.
Instead, she walked away untouched, even more shielded than before.
The jealousy in my chest burned so hot, threatening to consume me whole.
I wanted her gone.
Not just ruined.
Not just disgraced.
But gone.
Dead.
The thought lingered, sharp and venomous, even as I cooed softly to Stacey, “Don’t worry.
I’ll handle everything.”
Her tight expression loosened as she clung to me like I was her savior.
But the truth was, I wasn’t her savior.
I was my own.
And Isla would learn soon—nobody, not even her, would take what I wanted.