Stolen Luck

The grand banquet hall was filled with people’s laughter and chatter as they joined the joyous celebration of the Rodrigos, one of the most elite families in the country. People from different backgrounds and social classes were invited to be a part of the huge celebration, which was taking the whole country by storm. Why wouldn't it? Joaquin Rodrigo was appointed as the Governor General of the country for the second time, while his beloved elder daughter, Ophelia Rodrigo, just returned from abroad a few days ago after two years. 

The celebration had doubled with the news of Ophelia Rodrigo and Rigel Serrano finally getting married after being engaged for four years. They were the talk of the town, the ideal couple everyone envied and admired at the same time. The Serrano family was the richest and most influential family in the country, coming from a royal bloodline. They were noble in all senses. Meanwhile, the Rodrigo family might not be equal to them but they weren't less either with Joaquin Rodrigo's reputation and power as the two-time governor general of Kravonia. 

Everyone had been anticipating the royal wedding for the past four years but for some reason the wedding didn't take place. People almost thought the couple had broken up when Ophelia Rodrigo suddenly moved to another country two years ago; however, it all turned out to be just some baseless rumors when she returned and the couple were again seen together like before. 

The whole town was buzzing with the floating news that Rigel Serrano, the country's most eligible bachelor and the sole heir to Serrano's fortune, was finally going to tie the knot with his longtime fiance. Thus, people couldn't miss the perfect opportunity to get closer to the stunning couple, who were soon going to rule both the political and business worlds. 

Amidst the crowds of beautiful men and women who were enjoying the night to the fullest, a beautiful young lady dressed in white stood under the warm glow of the crystal chandelier, her unique pair of turquoise eyes fixed on the stunning couple standing a few meters away beside her parents. 

Rigel Serrano and Ophelia Rodrigo. Her husband and her older sister. 

The two key characters of the evening and the main subject of everyone’s attention. 

She didn't blink or try to move her eyes for a single second. There was a depth of anguish in those beautiful pairs of orbs that no one noticed. She stood there, as if her whole world had already stopped the moment she stepped inside the banquet. She knew this would happen the moment Ophelia came back two months ago. She had already seen this coming from miles away, yet it still tore her heart into pieces. 

But she couldn't blame any of them for this because she was the third person here. Unlike the other stories, her sister didn't steal her man. She was the one who stole her sister’s man and now that she's back, she is simply reclaiming what already belonged to her. She was just a substitute who stole Ophelia’s luck and married Rigel in her place after she left two years ago, three days before their wedding. 

Did she really think Rigel would belong to her forever just because she managed to marry him? She was too foolish to believe in her stolen luck. 

Rigel Serrano never belonged to her. He has belonged to Ophelia Rodrigo since the moment they first met six years ago. It didn't matter if she had laid her eyes on him first, because ultimately her sister was the one who got to have him. The beautiful young lady smiled bitterly in her heart at the realization. 

“Sierra!” Someone called the beautiful lady’s name, snapping her out of her thoughts. She blinked her eyes before looking at the voice's source. It was Ophelia. She was waving her hand at her with a beautiful smile, gesturing for her to come over. Sierra immediately masked her thoughts, forcing a smile on her face before proceeding to walk towards her. Beside her sister stood the reason behind her shattered heart. Rigel Serrano, her husband. His blue eyes remained fixed on her while she walked.

“When did you arrive?” Ophelia inquired softly as soon as Sierra reached them. Dressed in a beautiful red gown that hugged her body perfectly and matching diamond jewelry that made her sparkle, she looked like a beautiful seductress, the exact opposite of Sierra, who was wearing a plain white off-shoulder dress that reached a few inches below her knees. 

“Just now!” Sierra lied, lifting the corner of her lips slightly. She couldn't see Rigel's eyes on her, scanning her from head to toe, making her inside burn. Sierra pretended to ignore his stare, focusing solely on Ophelia. 

“I really missed you, Sierra!” Ophelia announced before pulling Sierra into a small hug. Sierra wanted to pull away but couldn't. 

“I missed you too! I'm happy you are finally back!” Sierra lied again while reluctantly hugging her back. Unexpectedly, her eyes collided with Rigel's. She wasn't surprised by the coldness in his eyes; she was already used to it for the past two years. He never looked at her with the same warmth as he used to look at Ophelia. It's because he never wanted to marry her in the first place. She was just a forced replacement for her in his life, which he couldn't get rid of. 

“If you missed me, then why didn't you come to meet me once? I was really upset when you didn't even come to visit me once,” Ophelia asked, breaking the hug. She looked as though she was quite offended by her actions; however, Sierra was aware that it was all just a pretense. In reality, she didn't give a fuck about herself. 

“I'm sorry! I had exams going on,” Sierra answered, trying to look a little apologetic, which she was not. She deliberately avoided all the family dinners with different excuses so that she didn't have to face Ophelia and Rigel together until now. 

“It's okay! I forgive you. Thankfully, Rigel took out his time to meet me.” Ophelia replied with a chuckle, glancing at Rigel. Her soft brown eyes flashed with love and admiration. Sierra immediately looked away, feeling a stab in her heart. She wanted to step between them and tear Ophelia away from her husband but she knew she had no rights. Not when her husband didn't want her. Thankfully, Sierra’s parents walked towards them, saving the moment. Sierra ignored the way her mother's eyes narrowed as soon as they fell on her.

“Congratulations, Papa! ”Sierra smiled at her father; she was genuinely happy for him to achieve his success.

“Thank you! But I didn't expect you to be late on such an important day.” Joaquin responded coldly, his eyes staring at her with disapproval. Sierra’s smile dropped as she felt another stab in the heart. Not only was she unwanted in her husband’s life, she was also unwanted in her own family. 

“I'm sorry, Papa! ”She apologized, looking down. She could feel everyone’s eyes once again on her. She hated it. 

“Alright. Don't cause anymore trouble. Follow your sister and introduce yourself to some of the guests. There are really important figures present tonight who could help us in the future," Joaquin ordered while glancing at Ophelia and Rigel. 

“Don't worry, Papa. I and Rigel will introduce her to everyone.” Ophelia smiled at her father reassuringly while grabbing Rigel’s arm in the process. Sierra pretended as if she didn't see it. None of the people around her showed any signs of surprise, as if it were the most natural thing. As if Ophelia were Rigel’s wife, not her. The world might not know about her existence as Rigel Serrano’s wife but her family definitely did. 

“Okay, I will go and meet some guests.” Joaquin responded with a nod, his eyes visibly softening toward Ophelia. Sierra couldn't understand how her father could still love Ophelia the same after the humiliation she put them through. She was the one who saved them from humiliation and loss after Ophelia left them in that mess, yet they never valued her. How ungrateful! 

“Ophelia!” A high-pitched female voice called, grabbing their attention. Sierra noticed Samantha Collins, one of Ophelia’s close friends, walk towards them. 

“Oh, hi, Sam. How are you?” Ophelia greeted Samantha enthusiastically before pulling her in for a hug. 

“I'm good. I'm really happy you are back.” Samantha replied with a grin after breaking free. Her eyes glanced at Rigel, who was busy on his phone. 

“Me too.” Ophelia smiled.

“You must be really happy with her return, right, Mr. Serrano?” Samantha asked, grabbing Rigel’s attention. He looked at her with a neutral expression before glancing at Ophelia, who smiled at him. 

“Yeah, I'm glad she's back.” He responded with a nod before putting his phone back in his pocket. Sierra felt her heart twist painfully inside her chest at his words. Of course, he was happy that his first love came back. 

“Aww, I missed seeing you two together like this.” Samantha laughed flatteringly, not knowing Rigel’s legal wife was standing right beside her. Sierra couldn't blame her, though. No one except the Rodrigos and Serranos knew that she was Rigel’s wife. Their marriage was never made public because of Rigel’s demand. According to him, Sierra was too young and he wanted to wait till she finished her studies. However, Sierra now realizes the actual reason behind it. He was waiting for Ophelia to come back. 

“It's good to be back and pick up everything I left before.” Ophelia replied, her eyes glancing at Sierra before fixing on Rigel. Sierra’s heart 

“Aww! So when's the wedding?” Samantha inquired teasingly, looking between Ophelia and Rigel. Sierra couldn't take it anymore. Her heart was already in immense amounts of pain. 

“Excuse me!” She quickly excused herself, trying to get away from their presence as soon as possible. 

“Wait, Sierra, right? You are Ophelia's sister?” Samantha’s voice stopped Sierra, forcing her to look at him. Even at this point, she didn't have her own identity. 

“Yes.” She nodded reluctantly. 

“Gosh, I almost didn't recognize you. You look-” Samantha exclaimed in surprise before pausing in the middle of her sentence as she scanned Sierra. 

“Young!” She finished with an awkward smile on her face. Sierra felt her anger and irritation surface. She hated the word young from her guts. Rigel glanced at her, his expression hardening for some reason. Sierra didn't mind him. 

“It's nice to meet you! Please excuse me.” She forced a smile before exciting herself and leaving without a second glance. She needed to get out of here or else she would completely lose her mind. She couldn't see the man she loved with everything for the past six years ignore her and act lovingly with another woman, especially not when he was her lawfully wed husband. 

“Hey, Sierra!” A familiar female voice stopped Sierra, making her turn around. It was Alyssa, Rigel’s younger cousin from his second uncle. 

“Do you need something?” Sierra asked, and there was a hint of hostility in her eyes. She knew Alyssa didn't like her and that's why she maintained her distance from her. But from the moment she stepped here, she could see Alyssa’s eyes following her around with pity. She didn't need anyone’s pity. 

“No! I just came here to ask something.” Alyssa shook her head with a smile. A smile, which Sierra didn't like. She didn't say anything as she silently waited for Alyssa to continue. 

“How does it feel?” She asked, taking a step towards Sierra while holding the half-empty champagne glass in her hand carelessly. 

“Huh?” She frowned, not understanding the meaning behind her words. Alyssa’s smile widened at her confusion. 

“How does it feel to be ignored by your own husband and see him with your sister?”