Chapter 1. Surprise party for Victoria

"Happy 22nd birthday, Emberly. Your dress tonight is so gorgeous. It makes you look like a fairytale princess."

Victoria's gaze fell on her happy stepsister. She talked with her friends, who gave her gifts, took selfies, and congratulated her with their prayers. 

It wasn't long before Alden, Victoria’s fiancé, who seemed to have just arrived, joined them instead of meeting her first. Victoria stood nearby, watching them both interact with a glass of lemonade. 

"Happy birthday, my little sister-in-law," Alden said as he presented the rectangular gift he carried. 

Emberly, who had turned her attention to him, was surprised and smiled even wider when they locked eyes. Without hesitation, she hugged Victoria's fiancé and kissed his cheek. "I'm glad you came, Alden! I thought you wouldn't come."

Alden's response showed no sign that he was uncomfortable with Emberly's behavior. Instead, he put his arm around her, brushed the top of her hair, and kissed her back.

Victoria didn't see it once or twice. Despite that, there was no denying that as a woman, she felt jealous, even of her sister. Her little heartfelt scared, afraid that Alden would fall for Emberly.

It was not without reason that Victoria was afraid of this possibility. She and Emberly could not be said to have an excellent sisterly relationship. Since childhood, since her father brought Emberly home with her stepmother, they began to take many precious things from her. Victoria can't help but feel afraid that Alden will also be taken.

Suddenly, Alden turned his attention to her, breaking Victoria's reverie. The man smiled and walked towards her after waving. Once they were close, Alden unhesitatingly put his arm around her waist and kissed her lips before the guests. It drew some attention towards them. Naturally, Victoria's cheeks were red from being the center of attention.

"Alden...!" whispered Victoria warningly.

"What’s wrong, babe?" asked Alden with a mischievous smile.

"We're in the middle of a party! Don't kiss me for nothing," said Victoria, still holding back her embarrassment.

"Alright, alright. There's nothing I can do when my fiancé is so shy." Alden's words only made Victoria even more misbehaved. She tried to remove Alden's hand from her waist while changing the subject, "Do you want a drink?"

"No, I'm not thirsty yet. By the way, did you organize this party?" Victoria nodded in response, immediately getting a smile and a look of pride from Alden. "My fiancé is so awesome. You must have prepared it with all your heart for your sister, right?"

His smile was contagious. Victoria also felt a sense of pride when she received those words of appreciative praise. When she didn't hear that from her father or stepmother who was ordering her to, or even her stepsister. All the resentment, disappointment, and jealousy had disappeared entirely from that one compliment Alden had spoken. 

Victoria may hate and distrust Emberly, but she trusts Alden. Since they first met and got to know each other in university, Alden was the only one who saw and cared about her. Alden's personality had stayed the same when they were dating and engaged. Victoria was sure Alden only loved her because of their five years together.

"Excuse me- Ahh! I'm sorry, Mr. Benedict!" Amid their conversation, a woman suddenly fell near them, spilling the drink she was carrying and hitting Alden's pants. Both of them were shocked and looked at the woman who smelled of alcohol and looked drunk. She staggered to her feet and repeatedly bowed while saying sorry. "Please forgive me, Mr. Benedict."

With a calm, emotionless smile, Alden said without causing further commotion, "No problem, Miss."

Victoria looked at the bodyguards who were guarding the event. Through her gaze, she asked them to take the woman to the restroom on the second floor.

“Babe, I think I need to go to the toilet. Wait for me," Alden said after two bodyguards took the woman away.

"You're okay, right?" asked Victoria worried. 

Alden smiled soothingly and nodded before waltzing away. After the man's departure, Victoria returned alone without her lemonade. The music and other noises of the party could not accompany her lonely self again.

Soon, someone handed her another glass of lemonade. She smiled broadly as if asking for mercy not to be refused. Ultimately, Victoria was forced to accept the glass and took a small sip. 

"Sis, why are you alone here?" she asked to start the conversation. 

"I was with Alden before he's went to the toilet." Victoria's answer received a nod from the young woman beside her. "Then, why are you here instead of accompanying my birthday sister?" Victoria asked back. 

"Unfortunately, she also went to the toilet," she replied carelessly. 

Victoria glanced briefly at her before retaking another sip of her lemonade. Karina Hurlington was one of Emberly's close friends, whom Victoria knew quite well. Not because they were close but because Karina sometimes approached her as if they were close. On top of that, her last name was so famous that no one in this country who didn't know. All thanks to the achievements of her brother, who was able to compete as Victoria's fiancé business rival. 

"Sis, aren't you jealous of your fiancé and sister's closeness?" asked Karina.

Karina's question drew Victoria's full attention and broke her wandering thoughts. Then she asked her, "What do you mean by that?"

"Their behavior and interactions, don't you feel-" 

"Karina, I don't understand why you're saying this. I trust my fiancé completely. Please don't say anything out of your line." Victoria cut off the unfinished speech first. She suddenly felt uncomfortable, whether it was because she was offended that her fiancé was seen as bad or because she was just scared if that was true. 

"I'm sorry. Your fiance can't keep his boundaries and is too friendly with women. That was my thought.” 

Victoria tried not to overthink Karina's words because she knew Alden's personality. She didn't understand what Karina meant by saying that. Besides, Karina was quite close friends with Emberly, and Victoria hated Emberly. 

"Did you prepare this party?" asked Karina again, changing the subject. 

"Yes, I made it." Her answer had a sense of pride, as Alden's praise boosted her confidence. 

"Wow, you don't seem close to Emberly, so everything at this party doesn't match her. Or do you not recognize her?" Victoria gasped at the comment.

Both Victoria and Emberly have the image of stepsisters who get along and love each other. It's all done to honor the excellent name of the Agriche family. It doesn't matter how broken and rotten their family relationships are. They did all they could to keep it in front of the public. While Karina, who was only an outsider, could only find out how this party was made.

Victoria didn’t want to continue the conversation. So, she changed the subject. "Karina, I think I gave your brother an invitation too. Why don't you come together? Is he too busy to talk with my parents, who are dying to meet him?"

"Please forgive his behavior, Sis. He'll come for sure. Just a little late." Karina gasped and laughed discordantly to cover up her obvious guilt. She touched her ear nervously. “Mr. and Mrs. Agriche will understand, right?” 

Victoria didn’t answer. She didn't know the answer, but she thought it was right. There was only one reason her stepmother insisted on inviting the man to this party, if not for business. 

As they continued their conversation, Victoria's stepmother, Rosalee Agriche, came over. From the look on her face, it was clear that she was upset for whatever reason, so she didn’t hide it in front of Karina, who was still with her. 

"What's wrong, mom?" asked Victoria as Rosalee stood before her.

"Where is Emberly? How come the owner of this party is nowhere to be found?" The blame-laden question was thrown at her. She didn't even hear her answer first or care who was more at fault. 

"Emberly said she wanted to go to the toilet, Mrs. Agriche. I think she ate too much of the cake." Karina raised her voice in response, making Rosalee realize her presence.

"Oh, Karina, I didn't realize you were here. I was worried about her, so I unconsciously took it out on Victoria." In that instant, her demeanor changed, and without being asked, she explained.

The woman turned her attention back to Victoria. Approaching her and whispering, "Hurry up and find her. How can you, as her sister and the creator of this party, be so indifferent!"

Victoria didn’t argue, even though this was not her fault. She left the party and went to the hotel's toilets on the ballroom floor to search for Emberly.

Victoria frowned in confusion as she didn't find her stepsister in any toilets. She continued her search to the second floor, where guests could rest. Her destination was the room previously occupied by Emberly. Her steps were a little hasty when she saw that the door to the room was not closed tightly. She was just about to barge in, but the sound of moaning from inside the room stopped her. Her body froze with wide eyes in disbelief as she stared into the room from the crack in the door.

"Al-alden, don't leave any kiss marks!" 

"I left it somewhere out of sight. Don't worry, Babe."

The man's voice and name were so recognizable to Victoria that she could not think.