Chapter 3

Looking at the flat look on her father's face, Kate rolled her eyes. She wasn't surprised to see the person behind her mother's distaste was no one but her Stepbrother; Lucas. The illegitimate son of the family.

It wasn't his fault that Mr. Hart traveled for business, met someone hot, and decided to have an affair with the person. It wasn't his fault that his mother came some years back with the evidence of the affair; him.

Well, that evidence wasn't enough when Lucas's mother came as no one believed her. Even after the woman died, no one believed, leaving Lucas to be the most hated part of the family.

Good thing Mr Harts didn't hate him too and thanks to his wisdom. Sometimes, Kate wished she was as smart as her younger brother but she wasn't, she didn't pray to be in his shoes. No one would want to be in the worst part of her mother.

Sometimes, Kate would want to remind her mother that no child was ever illegitimate. As long as they weren't the ones that forced themselves into this world.

Although she heard Liam say something that wasn't the necessary thing, what was necessary was to watch how her mother glared at Lucas while he gladly greeted almost everyone.

"Your brother seems like the attention seeker" Liam muttered with a flat smile.

Kate mouthed 'I know' with a smile on her face but her gaze didn't leave Lucas one bit. She watched him with eager eyes till he walked in front of her mother.

"Hello Mother," Lucas said with a smirk.

Well, that didn't go well. Not with the way Mrs. Harts shamelessly glared at the boy as if it was his fault that he was smart and he intentionally became the illegitimate son.

The atmosphere didn't remain the same, not with the bad egg, greeting everyone with a proud look on his face. It wasn't a surprise to Kate especially when she knew her father love him because he seem smarter than her.

Accordingly to her dad, he was more understanding.

"Really?" She subconsciously said.

Kate looked at Liam who was staring at her with a confused look. His lips were slightly open as he waited for her question but nothing came.

Kate smiled in embarrassment as she watched Lucas parade himself around. It was like the birthday party was made to watch him walk around with that arrogant look on his face and his head high. The fact that he father let that happen made her sick to the core.

She wasn't sick of her brother, she was sick of the way he kept glaring at her mother, and then at her. One Could see nothing but the pure hatred the family had for each other.

At some point, Kate felt like she was the center of the problem and not Lucas because of the way her mother was staring at her. It was like the woman wanted her to do something but she doesn't get it, Even Liam beside her looked questionably at both of them with fear.

Was he part of the problem?

Or does Mrs. Harts just want to transfer aggression?!

"Uh..." Liam gently placed his palm on Kate's shoulder to bring her back to reality.

Looking at his palm while she waited for him to talk, Kate could not tell if she should be happy with his touch or the sudden hastiness in his voice.

"We will see later" Liam grinned and before Kate could say anything, he was leaving.

The disappointment on her face could be visible and everyone could tell. She couldn't believe she missed such an opportunity because of fam...

_ "What the heck are you doing, Richard!" _

Kate turned to the direction of the noise to see her mom yelling at her father. Bluffing.

That would not stop his senseless adultery and she knew it. That would not stop the fact that she wasn't the favorite child and her father would choose Lucas every day and at every time!

With a smug look on her face, Kate walked to the room. Everyone knew she showed up at her father's birthday, funny enough he might not when know she came so what was the point?

'I know you would have grown' she remembered Liam's voice.

A small smile spread across her face as she slowly walked around the room. The happiness made her keep smiling till her face hurt.

"I think he likes me," she said to herself.

Walking to the mirror hanging on the wall, she was already satisfied with the look she would get.

"Perfect, Kate Harts, perfect" she muttered as she blushed.

She knew she was no longer the ugly and extremely shy little girl Liam used to know. She knew she could just gather more courage and he would know that she could be his princess. She knew she would be perfect too for him and they have that perfect life.

"Oh, Liam" she gasped as she walked to her bed.

Excited, she threw herself to her bed and closed her eyes with that signature smile on her face, her body had barely relaxed when she heard her door open.

"Shit!" She cussed as she sat up.

The surprised look on her face turned to disappointment and anger when she saw Lucas.

Her lips twisted in disgust as she moved her hair off her face and looked at her door which has being left half open.

"Ever heard knocking?" She snapped.

Lucas giggled.

It was extremely odd as he had never heard him giggle before. In fact, he something barely showed a genuine smile, it was either a smirk or a mischievous one.

"Get out of my room, Lucas" Kate said louder this time "And don't you ever come into my room again!"

"Ever?" Lucas asked.

There was this look on Kate's face as she watched him. For a while, she was scared that he would do something to her which made her get up and rush to the door. She yanked it open and navigated for him to go out.

"Get the fvck out of my room, Lucas."

"Or you want to talk about the hickey on your neck?" Lucas asked instead.

Kate gulped, she looked out, then back to Lucas. She moved closer to him as if she wasn't sure of what he said before then she whispered.

"What did you just say?" She asked.

Lucas smirked.

His gaze got fixed on her neck as he bent his lips downwards and shrugged.

"Did you get those hickeys from your ballet practice?" He finally asked.