Chapter One

Genevieve.

I stared at the mirror, trying to breathe properly even with this goddamn tight-fitting corset. I still find myself ugly. Well, that’s what I have been told for quite some time now and I’ve come to acknowledge that.

I sometimes see myself as the ugly princess, the one who barged out of nowhere into a happy family life.

I let out another sigh, “you can do this Eve,” I whispered to myself for what seemed like the umpteenth time tonight.

No matter how many times I repeat those words, I can’t seem to have the confidence that I can do what I really want to do.

My courage seems to slip through my fingers as the minute passes and I hate myself for that.

I hate myself for being this weak and useless.

I closed my eyes but snapped them open as my room door opened violently. I turned and forced a smile when I saw who it was.

“Mother,” I called, watching as she took calculated steps towards me like I was some kind of prey.

I gulped in fear, seeing her standing in front of me was taking away the last bit of courage I had. I don’t think I can do this.

For a whole minute or two, Mother didn’t say anything, she stared at me with that same judgy look in her eyes.

I hate when she looks at me that way, she shouldn’t make me feel more worthless than I already feel.

“Why are you dressed in this?” She asked after taking her sweet time to scrutinize the dress I was putting on.

I looked down at the dress I was putting on and looked back at her, I found nothing with it.

“Because it's pretty mother,” I answered.

She scowled, “How is this pretty Genevieve?” She asked, calling my name in a condescending manner. I hated it when she called me that, more reason why I hated my name.

“Are you trying to bring to this family name by dressing like some church rat? Is that what you want Genevieve?” She asked and I shook my head.

Nothing was wrong with the dress, in fact, my sister picked it out for me. She thought it would be perfect for the ‘occasion’ so I wore it.

I had no idea why she was getting mad because of a dress.

“Why can’t you be like your sister for once?” I winced at her words. There she goes again, comparing me with my sister.

I wasn’t surprised, it has always been about her.

“What on earth are you still waiting for?” She snapped, bringing me out of my thoughts.

I looked down in shame and defeat, there’s nothing I would do that she would like, there’s no day she wouldn’t compare me to my sister and I sometimes wonder why she did come for me. She should have let me live my life without knowing I had a family.

“Yes, Mother,” as I turned to leave, the door opened and my perfect sister walked in.

She as usual looked beautiful and glamorous in her dress, her hair was packed stylishly and her makeup was perfect. Everything about her was perfect.

“What’s going on, mom?” She asked, closing the door behind her.

Mother sighed and placed her head on her forehead, “your sister is going to be the death of me one day, I can’t believe she’s planning on wearing this to her own engagement party,” she said.

My eyes went back to my sister, Dahlia and I wasn’t shocked when I saw that same condescending looking in her eyes

“You look like a piece of shit in this dress Evie,” she mocked.

I stared at her in shock; no scratch that I was beyond the word shock. I never expected her to act this way, not after she personally handed this dress to me for the evening.

“But…you,” she cut in.

“Shhh, just do as mom said and go change,” I stared at the both of them for a while before waking into the walk-in closet.

I closed the door behind me tenderly but my actions after were not too tender, I was beyond mad and could hit anything in front of me. I never wanted my life to be this way, all I wanted was a simple and easy life where I’m loved. I never wanted any of these but they had to bring me back just to torture me, like it was my fault.

I tried my best not to cry; crying would ruin my makeup and a ruined makeup meant more scolding from my mother. I quickly went through my wardrobe and saw a dress that I hadn’t worn for a long time since I got it sitting there. It was a straight gown that had a long slit in the front but nevertheless, it was beautiful.

I stared at the dress and could remember Dahlia telling me not to wear the dress because I would look ugly in it. I cursed lowly and angrily took the dress off the rank, I took the dying corset off and quickly changed into it.

I looked at myself in the mirror and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing; I was looking so different from what I’d expected. The dress fit me like a second skin, gluing to my curves and the slit in the front made me look different. For the first time in my entire life, I looked sexy and felt confident about my look.

After taking a deep breath, I walked out expecting to see Mother and Dahlia there but I was surprised to see him, my so-called fiancé in the room instead.

My steps faltered as I got closer to him, he raised his head and looked at me when I was standing in front of him.

Don’t panic Eve, don’t show any weakness today. I chanted in my head.

“What are you doing here Marcus?” I asked, trying hard to make my voice sound normal. I always get this dear anytime he’s near, and he knows it.

Marcus sighed and looked at me, “we have to talk,” he said.

My brows raised in confusion, “about what?” I asked.

“About our engagement.”