CHAPTER 1: Foul Lies

BELLATRIX...

Most people forget that Valdez Villa had a little garage in the backyard, now mostly used as a storage for trash. However, I never forget. My most precious memories revolve around that garage—building my first birdhouse with Grandpa, learning to plant rare plants with Grandma. Then there was the day when twelve-year-old Neil, with a red rose in hand, first kissed my cheeks, melting my eight-year-old heart.

“Bella, I’m going to marry you when we grow up,” he’d said, making my cheeks turn crimson.

Years passed. We became adults, and as promised back then, Neil and I ended up together. However, after two years together, his feelings for me had weakened while mine had remained the same. He had become distant, and it seemed I no longer dwelled in his heart as I used to. Still, I believed we could be a happy couple and hoped my feelings would be reciprocated eventually.

Submerged in those thoughts, I lost track of time until my phone buzzed with Mom's call. “Heard you're not ready yet? Do I need to remind you about your important day, Bella? Very immature behavior. Unexpected from a Valdez.”

I apologized and told her I was leaving. Once we hung up, I took one last look at my cherished place, then returned to the front gate of the villa. White and gold lights bathed the entrance in a soft, warm glow, and light music played in the ballroom. My heart clenched with nerves. Tonight, Neil and I would take the next step in our relationship and get engaged.

While taking in the decorations, Neil came downstairs, looking handsome in a tuxedo.

“Neil, you're here,” I said, smiling.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” he snapped. “You're supposed to be prepared for the ceremony by now!”

He shook his head, wearing a frown of disapproval. “You're no good, Bellatrix. God knows in which tragic hour I met you. Florence is far more presentable. Now, don’t waste any more bloody time and get ready!” He stormed toward the ballroom.

The decorators looked on, giving me odd looks. I stood there, ashamed. No wonder I felt like an outsider there. What hurt most, though, was that he compared me to my sister, Florence—adopted sister, to be more precise.

Despite that I'm the biological daughter of my parents and not her, she was everyone’s favorite, including theirs. I tried to understand the sentiment, especially since I was supposed to be their only heir. But everything had changed fifteen years ago when I was kidnapped on my way to school with Grandpa.

My memories of the incident were vague and scattered, like those of a distant nightmare I had somehow escaped. I never learned who abducted me, but I lived freely for ten years in a faraway land. Eventually, I returned to my family, regaining my true identity. I’d been back with them for five years.

One would think my presence would have brought them joy. Yet, it turned out otherwise. After a good deal of searching, they’d thought me dead. So Florence, the daughter of Dad’s late bodyguard, had replaced me in their hearts.

They weren’t the only ones that found our relationship challenging. I wasn't able to adapt to the family either. After years of wandering in an unnurtured environment, I had grown up feral and wild, unlike Florence. She had learned from the best, receiving an outstanding education, making her the preferred daughter, even over their own blood.

For years, I hoped for some positive attention. None came. Only my arrangement with Neil prevented me from breaking apart. Still, I didn't know how long I could endure. As it was, I hung on to my relationship with Neil by a thin thread, despite knowing I should have let it go, despite knowing his unspoken wish.

I returned to my room and entered the walk-in closet I shared with Florence. I chose a simple Nile-green dress adorned with baby pink flowers. Right after I put it on, Florence burst through the door, arriving with her usual sneer. She wore a golden dress that outshone mine completely. One look at her, and I felt inadequate, like a lessor forgotten step-child.

“Fighting with your soon-to-be husband already, sister? And in front of outsiders? Grow up, Bellatrix. You should learn to respect your man by now.”

She said it like I had started the argument with Neil, or as if I was the one at fault.

I heaved a heavy sigh. Even though there was no sisterly bond between us, I always tried to accept her as one. However, she never respected that, and it made it difficult to deal with her.

“My relationship with Neil is my relationship with Neil, not yours. So stay out of it,” I replied curtly, hoping to avoid an argument. I didn’t want to fight right before my engagement.

“How can I stay out of it when it's about me each time? His fondness is very clear, Bella. How long are you going to pretend to be blind?”

“Neil and I are chosen to be together, and tonight is the proof!” I spat in defense. “Now leave me alone!” I strode past her.

“You fake bitch!” she shouted, lunging at me. She grabbed a vase off the dresser, her eyes wild with rage.

She hurled the vase at my head. I dodged, lifting my arm to protect my face. The vase hit, and stinging anguish seared through the limb. I pushed her away out of instinct and self-preservation. She toppled backward, falling against the dresser and hitting her shoulder. She let out a loud shriek that echoed in the closet, startling me.

A second later, the bedroom door burst open, and Neil rushed toward us—toward Florence. “What the hell happened here? Florence, are you okay?” He turned to me, accusation in his eyes. “What happened to her, Bella?” he shouted, his face twisted in anger.

“I-it was an accident. S-she tried to—”

“I don't know why she hates me so much,” Florence said, sobbing.

I stared at her in disbelief. What an act!

“I-I came to help her get ready,” Florence lied smoothly, acting like an injured waif. “But sh-she suddenly turned scary, blaming me for seducing you!”

“What?” I gaped, my eyes wide, listening to her obnoxious lie. “She’s lying, Neil!”

“Shut up!” he snapped at me, then turned to Florence. “Go on and tell me.”

“She tried to hurt me with the vase,” Florence said, the lie rolling off her tongue with ease. “I dodged it, but then she pushed me! I’m sorry, I didn't mean to ruin your day.” She snuggled close to him.

Rage built within me. “It's all false!” I shouted. “She’s lying! Can’t you see that?”

Neil’s icy glare said my words hadn’t swayed him. “You’re the liar! How could you do this to your sister, Bellatrix! Shame on you!”

And just then, a not-so-shocking realization crossed me: Neil Ryder, My soon-to-be fiancée, sitting beside my sister, taking side with her lies over my truth... Because, his trust devoted to her more than my entire Fucking existence!