Chapter 2: Deceitful Games

Rosy sat in the garden, cross-legged on the soft grass, her gaze fixed on the horizon. A faint, knowing smile tugged at the corner of her lips. It wasn’t one of joy, but of triumph, of having put everything in place exactly as she had planned. The scent of blooming roses mixed with the smoky fragrance of her cigarette as she took a long drag, feeling the warmth spread through her body. With a lazy flick of her wrist, she stubbed it out in the ashtray, the last puff of smoke curling up into the air like a secret she was about to share.

Her plan was brilliant. Cold-blooded, yes, but brilliant. It had taken a lot to get Ethan to propose, but now that he had, Rosy found herself staring down a future she wasn’t quite ready for. The ring on her finger felt like an anchor, weighing her down with expectations she wasn’t prepared to meet. She loved Ethan, sure. But her real love? It was the catwalk, the flash of cameras, the endless chase for fame. And Ethan? Well, he came from a family that expected her to settle down and play the perfect wife. She couldn’t do that, not yet.

So, she’d come up with a new plan, one that involved her sister, Lily. It wasn’t a total betrayal, at least not in the way anyone would think. Lily was naïve, innocent. She was perfect. So easily manipulated, it was almost laughable. And Rosy? She wasn’t above using her own flesh and blood if it meant she got what she wanted.

Ethan wanted her, of course. But there were too many other women sniffing around him, too many others willing to do whatever it took. Rosy couldn’t allow that. Not while she was off chasing her dreams. She would have Ethan, just not right now. Not until she was ready. But until then? Lily would play the part of the loving fiancée. And when the time was right, Rosy would reclaim him. It would be easy. After all, she was the favorite daughter. She was the one her mother doted on. Lily would understand, eventually.

She stretched, letting the tension slip from her body as she felt her phone buzz in her pocket. It was Nana, their long-time servant. Rosy smiled to herself, already knowing what the message would say.

"Miss Rosy, your Dad and Mom are calling you to the Study Room. Miss Lily and Sir Ethan’s wedding is about to begin. Sir Ethan’s parents are also there."

Well, isn’t this convenient? Rosy thought, rolling her eyes as she typed her response. I’ll be right there, Nana.

With a quick flick of her wrist, she rose to her feet, feeling the weight of her deception settle comfortably over her like a well-worn coat. She followed Nana down the hallway, her footsteps purposeful. Her parents, Ethan’s, Aunt Maita, Uncle Ramon, were all waiting for her. And there, standing at the center of it all, were Ethan and Lily, both looking nervous and out of place, like actors stuck in a scene they didn’t want to play.

The judge, an older man with a face that looked like it had been carved from stone, waited at the front of the room, clipboard in hand.

“Rosy,” Ethan said, his voice cracking through the tension. “Can we talk?”

She raised an eyebrow, her expression cool, collected. “What’s there to talk about, Ethan?” She stepped forward, the weight of everyone’s eyes on her. “You’ve made your choice. This isn’t about us anymore. It’s about her.” She tilted her head toward Lily, who stood there, her face a portrait of confusion and sadness.

“But Rosy…. ” Ethan started again, his desperation dripping from every word.

“No, Ethan.” Rosy’s voice was quiet, but it held power, as though she had already made peace with the decisions being made for her. “You wanted Lily. You got her. Don’t turn back now.”

Lily’s voice wavered, “But Rosy I never wanted this…”

Rosy turned toward her sister, offering a bitter smile. “Oh, I know you didn’t, Lily. But sometimes, life doesn’t care what we want.” She paused for a moment, letting the words sink in. “And you, darling, are about to marry my fiancé. Isn’t that what you always wanted? To have everything I have?”

The words stung more than Rosy let on, but she had no time to dwell on it. This was the role she had to play. She was the self-sacrificing sister, the one who gave it all up for her family. She wiped away a mock tear, pretending to care. “You’ll be happy together. Just remember, this isn’t what I wanted. But I will stand by it.”

Her mother’s voice cut through the charade. “It’s time, Rosy. You’ve made your sacrifice.”

Rosy nodded and stepped away, letting Lily and Ethan continue to stumble through their apologies and protests. The wedding proceeded quickly, the paperwork signed with all the finality of a lifetime’s worth of regret.

Rosy stood at the back, watching it all unfold. The weight of her actions pressed against her chest, but she was too focused on the bigger picture to care. When Ethan turned to her one last time, a pleading look in his eyes, she didn’t flinch. Instead, she met his gaze with cold indifference.

This is just the beginning, she thought. The real game starts now.

The wedding was over in minutes. Lily and Ethan were legally married, and Rosy was already plotting her next move. She would reclaim him. And no one, not even her sister, would stop her.