CHAPTER 1: Foul Lies

BELLATRIX POV...

Most people forgot that Valdez Villa has a little garage in the backyard, now mostly used as a garbage store. However, I do. My most precious memories were evolved there, starting my first birdhouse with Grandpa, and first lessons of planting rare plants with grandma. Or the day, with a red rose in hand when 12-year-old Neil first kissed my cheeks, my 8-year-old heart melted in delight.

'Bella, I will marry you when we grow up.' Those were his words that crimsoned my cheeks.

Years have passed after that and now we are grown-ups. As promised in childhood, Neil and I had been seeing each other for two years now.

By the years, however, his feelings weakened for me while mine remained the same. It was no secret that I do not dwell in his heart anymore, more so, he turned distant. For him perhaps it was just an arranged business deal.

Still, I believed for us to become a happy couple, and hoped my feelings would reciprocate with time.

Submerged in memories, I almost 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 behaviour, unexpected from a Valdez," Mom scolded over the phone.

"I'm sorry, mom. Going right now."

Immediately, she hung up and taking one last look at my cherished place, I returned to the front gate of the Villa.

The white and golden lights flashed the entrance gorgeously and light music rehearsed in the ballroom, clenched my nervous heart. It's happening tonight, Neil and I are gonna step ahead in our relationship by getting engaged.

While taking in the decoration, I reached the entrance and bumped into Neil. In the tuxedo, he looked fairly handsome.

"Neil, you're here..." I said, smiling.

"What the hell is wrong with you!?" He snapped, cutting my words. "You're supposed to be prepared for the ceremony by now!"

Disappointment was written all over his face as he shook his head disapprovingly, "You're no good, Bellatrix. God knows in which tragic hour I met you! Florence is way more presentable than you! Now do not waste more bloody time and get ready!" Throwing those words on my face, he stormed toward the ballroom.

I stood there, ashamed and neglected, along with several odd looks of decorators. No wonder, I looked like an outsider here.

But what mostly hurt was the comparison with Florence, my sister. Adopted sister if more precise. Even being the biological daughter of my parents, she was most likely the favorite one of all, including my birth parents.

I tried to understand the sentiment though. It was supposed to be me, the only heir of Valdez. But everything changed when 15 years ago I was kidnapped on my way to school with Grandpa.

Those particular memories were vague in my mind, more like a remote nightmare which I escaped somehow. Don't know where I was or who were those people, but I managed to live freely for ten years in the faraway land until I remembered my family five years ago and returned to them, regaining my true identity.

I thought my presence would rejoice them, yet it turned otherwise. None was happy to see me even my existence was replaced with Florence. I was said that, After some search they reckon of my death and adopted Florence, the daughter of papa's late bodyguard.

Honestly, I wasn't able to adapt the family either, as years of wandering and unnurtured ambience, I grew up more feral and wild, unlike Florence. She had learned from the very best, including her outstanding educational background and treated like a princess. So naturally, she 

was preferred by all, over blood.

Even though I hoped some positive attention, over years I tried to reconcile and failed whatsoever. Only relief was the arrangement with Neil that hold me from breaking apart. But, do not know how long I could.

I am kind of hanging on to the thin thread in this relationship, when I should let it go, knowing well his unspoken wish. Desperately longing that he did not intricate the relationship with Florence, at least no evidence was found which holding me back till this day.

I whatsoever, returned to my room and entered the walk-in closet that Florence and I share. My dress was nile green contrasted with baby pink flowers. I chose simple and more like myself.

Just then, the door burst open with Florence arriving with her usual sneer. One look at her and I honestly regretted my appearance and felt low. She was wearing a golden dress that outshone mine completely.

And by her look I knew she did it intentionally, after all, I had been coping up with her nonsense since I returned home.

"Fighting already sister, that in front of outsiders? Grow up, Bellatrix. You should learn to respect your man by now."

Her words were intriguing. Even though there was no sisterly bond between us, I always tried to accept her as one. However, she never respected, thus brought us here.

"It's between Neil and I, so stay out of it." I curtly replied, not wanting a fight right before my special event.

But Apparently, that's not what she wanted,

"How can I stay out when each time it's about me? His fondness is very clear, Bella, how long are you gonna act blind?" Her tone changed in her last words.

"Once again, it's none of your fucking business! we are chosen to be together and tonight is the proof!" I bounced back. "Now leave me fucking alone!"

Avoiding any further communication, I tried to enter my room, when,

"You fake bitch!" She lashed from behind and before I realised she picked up the vase off the dresser and rushed to hit me.

Inherently I dodged my face but my arm took the blow. Stinging anguish seared through my limb, forced me to push her away.

It was sudden, so likely, the push was hard and she fell on the dresser, hitting her back. A loud shriek echoed the closet, startling me in fright.

Soon enough, the door blast opened and Neil arrived, worried. "What the hell is... Florence!" He sprinted toward her, "How did you fall!? What happened to her Bella!?"

"I-it was an accident, ss-she tried to..." I stuttered to explain but was hashed by Florence's cry.

"I don't know why she hates me so much..." She sobbed, "I was here to help her getting ready but sh-she suddenly turned scary, blaming me for seducing you!"

"What!?" I was stupefied at her obnoxious lie. "She is lying, Neil!"

"Shut up!" He snapped again at me and turned to Florence, "tell me."

"She tried to hurt me with the vase. I dodged it somehow. She was angrier and pushed me! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ruin your day." And snuggled close to him.

I was so angry that it somehow turned me numb in front of her flawless lies. It seemed she caused this chaos deliberately!

"It's all false! She is fucking lying! Trust me!" I screamed but it did no justice, instead Neil's icy glare fell upon me.

"You are a liar! How could you do this to your sister, Bellatrix! Fucking shame on you!"

I really wished it was a nightmare, which unfortunately was not. 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!