Chapter 2

The sun streamed through the living room's tall windows, casting a warm glow on the rich mahogany furniture. Ophelia sat gracefully on the velvet couch, her posture relaxed, but her eyes sharp and calculating. She looked up as Erica entered, a smile spreading across her delicate features, masking the malice lurking beneath.

“Erica, darling,” Ophelia purred, rising to her feet. “It’s been too long. You look... well.” Her eyes flickered over Erica, searching for any sign of distress or weakness.

Erica forced herself to smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Doesn’t it always seem too long, Ophelia?” she replied, her voice carrying an edge that she couldn’t quite hide.

Ophelia’s smile faltered for the briefest moment before she regained her composure.“Oh, come now, sister. There is no need for hostility. I came here to see you because I care.”

“Care,” Erica thought bitterly. The word tasted sour on her tongue. It was the same word Ophelia had used before—right before she had destroyed everything. But Erica wasn’t the same person anymore. She wouldn’t fall for Ophelia’s lies again.

“Of course,” Erica said aloud, her tone smoother, more controlled. “What brings you here so early? Surely you didn’t come to exchange pleasantries?”

Ophelia’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly wondering where this newfound confidence in Erica came from, but she kept her tone light.“I wanted to talk to you about something important. I’ve heard some troubling things about Julian’s business dealings. I thought you might want to know.”

Erica’s heart skipped a beat, but she kept her expression neutral. “Oh? And what exactly have you heard?”. She remembered this day clearly, Ophelia had planned this scheme to sow a seed of distrust in her and Julian's relationship. 

Ophelia’s eyes gleamed as she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “There’s a rumor that Julian’s company is in trouble. Financially, I mean. Some poor investments, a few bad partnerships... It’s only a matter of time before it all comes crashing down. I’m worried about you, Erica. About your future.”

Erica stared at her sister, her mind racing. She knew better than to trust Ophelia, she would not be manipulated this time. She had to tread carefully, not to show her hand too soon.

“Are you sure about this?” Erica said carefully. “Julian never said anything about this.”

Ophelia’s smile widened, her teeth flashing in the sunlight. “He would never tell you about such a thing, dear. But I know just the right thing to help you out.” Ophelia proceeded to whisper her plan into Erica's ears. 

The false sweetness in her voice made Erica’s skin crawl. She knew Ophelia didn’t offer help—she came to plant seeds of doubt, manipulate, poison. But Erica wouldn’t let her succeed.

“Thank you so much,” Erica replied, matching her sister’s tone. “I appreciate that, Ophelia. Truly.”

They exchanged a few more empty words, each carefully chosen, until finally, Ophelia stood to leave.

“Well, I won’t keep you any longer,” Ophelia said, smoothing her dress with a practiced hand. “Do take care, Erica. And give Julian my best.”

“I will,” Erica assured, walking her sister to the door.

As Ophelia stepped outside, she turned back, her eyes locking onto Erica’s with an intensity that sent a chill down her spine. “Oh, and Erica?” Ophelia’s voice was soft, almost a whisper. “Be careful who you trust.”

Erica’s breath caught in her throat, but she forced herself to nod, her face a mask of calm. “I always am,” she replied.

Ophelia gave her one last, lingering look before she turned and walked away, her heels clicking against the stone path. Erica watched her go, her heart pounding in her chest, a storm of emotions raging inside her.

The moment the door closed, Erica sagged against it, her mind spinning. She knew Ophelia was up to something—she always was. She just hoped everything would play out exactly how it did in the past. 

She already knew the truth about Julian’s company, but she couldn’t risk contacting him with her suspicions. Not yet. He would be hurt if he knew she doubted him, and the last thing she wanted was to push him away again. She needed to be smarter this time, and more careful.

But first, she had to calm her nerves. Taking a deep breath, Erica returned to the living room, her thoughts racing. She needed to think, plan, and figure out her next move. She was determined not to let Ophelia get the better of her—not this time.

As she stood in the center of the room, her reflection caught her eye in the large mirror above the fireplace. She stared at herself, her expression unreadable. She looked the same on the outside—young, beautiful, unscarred—but she felt different, older somehow, harder. The woman in the mirror wasn’t the same Erica who had let Ophelia manipulate her so easily. 

No, this Erica was stronger and wiser. She had been given a second chance and wouldn’t waste it.

A sound interrupted her thoughts, and Erica’s heart leaped into her throat. She turned, half expecting to see Ophelia again, but it was one of the maids.

“Madam, Mr. Julian is on the phone. He wishes to speak with you.”

Erica nodded, her mind snapping back to the present. “Thank you,” she said, following the maid to the study. She picked up the phone, her hands trembling slightly as she pressed it to her ear.

“Erica,” Julian’s voice came through the line, warm and reassuring. “I wanted to check in on you. Are you alright?”

The sound of his voice was like a balm to her frayed nerves. “Yes, I’m fine,” she replied, forcing herself to steady. “Just… thinking.”

There was a pause, and she could almost see Julian’s concerned expression on the other end of the line. “Is everything alright? You seem... different.”

Erica hesitated, her heart pounding. She wanted to tell him everything, to pour out all her fears and doubts, but she couldn’t—not yet. She needed time to sort through her emotions, to figure out how to protect him without scaring him away.

“I’m just tired,” she said, her voice softer. “It’s been a long day.”

Julian was silent for a moment before he spoke again, his tone gentle. “I understand. I’ll be home soon, alright? We can talk then.”

Erica smiled, a genuine warmth spreading through her chest. “I’d like that,” she said, her voice more confident. “I’ll see you soon.”

As she hung up the phone, Erica felt renewed determination. She knew exactly what Ophelia was planning, but she was certain of one thing—she wouldn’t let her sister ruin her life again. This time, she would protect Julian, protect their future, no matter what it took.

She would have to tread carefully, to play the game just as Ophelia did. But she was no longer the naive girl who had fallen for her sister’s schemes. She was stronger now, sharper.

And she wasn’t afraid to fight.