Chapter 3

As the days passed, Cassia’s presence in the house became more and more pronounced. She was always there, always smiling, always the focus of Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne’s attention. Elara tried to join in, to be part of the family, but she always felt like an outsider, like she was intruding on something she didn’t fully understand.

Cassia was everything Elara was not—confident, outgoing, and effortlessly charming. She seemed to know exactly how to make the Hawthornes laugh, how to make them smile. And while they were never unkind to Elara, she couldn’t help but feel like she was fading into the background, like she was becoming invisible in the presence of Cassia’s bright light.

The doubt that had been lurking in the back of Elara’s mind began to grow, feeding on her insecurities. What if the Hawthornes had made a mistake? What if they had wanted Cassia all along, and Elara was just a temporary stand-in until they found her?

Elara’s dream of having a home, of belonging, started to feel more and more like a fantasy. She had wanted so badly to believe that she had finally found her family, that she was no longer alone. But now, with Cassia here, that dream felt like it was slipping through her fingers.

One evening, as she sat alone in her room, Elara heard a knock on the door. She looked up to see Mrs. Hawthorne standing in the doorway, a concerned expression on her face.

“Elara, darling, may I come in?” Mrs. Hawthorne asked gently.

Elara nodded, though she didn’t really feel like talking. Mrs. Hawthorne came in and sat down beside her on the bed.

“You’ve been very quiet lately,” Mrs. Hawthorne said softly. “Is everything all right?”

Elara hesitated, unsure of how to express the jumble of emotions inside her. Finally, she looked up at Mrs. Hawthorne, her eyes filled with uncertainty.

“Who is Cassia?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mrs. Hawthorne sighed, a sad smile crossing her face. “Cassia is our niece,” she explained. “She’s been living with her grandparents for the past few years, but she’s come to stay with us for a while.”

Elara nodded slowly, though the explanation didn’t make her feel any better. “She seems… very close to you,” Elara said, trying to keep the jealousy out of her voice.

Mrs. Hawthorne reached out and took Elara’s hand, squeezing it gently. “She is,” she admitted. “We’ve always been very fond of her. But that doesn’t change how much we care about you, Elara. You’re our daughter, and nothing will ever change that.”

Elara wanted to believe her, but the doubt was still there, gnawing at her heart. “What if you decide you don’t want me anymore?” she whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

Mrs. Hawthorne’s eyes filled with tears, and she pulled Elara into a tight embrace. “Oh, Elara, how could you ever think that?” she murmured. “We love you so much. You’re part of our family now, and we will never let you go.”

Elara clung to Mrs. Hawthorne, her heart aching with a mixture of relief and lingering doubt. She wanted to believe that she had found her home, that she had finally found the love and security she had always longed for. But with Cassia there, always in the background, Elara couldn’t shake the feeling that she was still just an outsider, still just the orphan girl who didn’t quite belong.

And so, as she lay in bed that night, staring up at the canopy above her, Elara made a silent promise to herself. She would do everything she could to prove that she was worthy of the Hawthornes’ love, that she deserved to be their daughter. No matter what it took, she would find a way to make this dream of hers a reality.

But deep down, she couldn’t help but wonder if it was all just a dream, destined to fade away in the harsh light of day.

Elara had always believed in the power of hope. It was what had kept her going during the darkest days at the orphanage, what had driven her to keep dreaming even when reality seemed determined to crush her spirit. And now, living in the grand mansion with Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne, hope had become something more tangible, more real. For the first time in her life, she had a family—a home. But as days turned into weeks, that hope, once so bright and unshakeable, began to waver.

It started with small things, subtle moments that might have gone unnoticed by someone less observant. But Elara had spent her entire life watching from the sidelines, and she had become adept at picking up on the smallest details, the faintest changes in tone or expression. And now, in the presence of Cassia, she noticed everything.

Cassia. The name had become a shadow that followed Elara everywhere, a reminder of the precariousness of her newfound happiness. Cassia was everything Elara had once dreamed of being. She was beautiful, with her golden hair and bright blue eyes that seemed to sparkle with life. She was confident, her laughter ringing through the halls of the mansion as she charmed everyone she met. And most importantly, she was loved—truly and deeply loved by the Hawthornes.

Elara had watched as Cassia effortlessly slipped into the role of the beloved daughter, taking her place at the family’s heart as if she had always been there. Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne doted on her, their faces lighting up whenever she entered the room. Cassia, in turn, basked in their affection, her every word and action met with smiles and praise.

At first, Elara had tried to join in, to be a part of the family dynamic that seemed so natural to Cassia. She had hoped that she, too, could earn the Hawthornes’ love and attention, that she could prove herself worthy of the life they had given her. But no matter how hard she tried, she always felt like an outsider, a stranger in her own home.

It was in the little things—the way Mrs. Hawthorne’s gaze lingered on Cassia just a moment longer, the way Mr. Hawthorne’s laughter seemed more genuine when Cassia was around. Even the household staff, who had initially been so welcoming to Elara, seemed to have a special fondness for Cassia, their smiles brighter and their greetings warmer when she was in the room.

Elara had always been quiet, reserved, more comfortable observing than participating. She had hoped that in this new life, she could find her place, that she could finally step out of the shadows and into the light. But with Cassia there, so effortlessly radiant, Elara felt herself slipping further and further into the background.