Chapter 4 

I woke up the next morning to chaos downstairs. 

The main hall was packed with New York’s elite, all here to celebrate my birthday. 

I was stunned. 

I hadn’t celebrated my birthday in ten years–not since Mom died. 

Looking around, all of Mom’s portraits had been replaced with pictures of Brielle, 

The butler smiled like a snake. “Mr. Maddox gave specific instructions. Said it would make Miss Emily happy.” 

The guests were all gossiping. 

“Did you hear? The gold shop chain Mrs. Brooks left behind? They’re all under Brielle’s name now.” 

“Damn. The wife works her ass off her whole life, and the mistress gets everything.” 

“Shh! She’s the legitimate Mrs. Brooks now. Watch 

mouth.” 

Brielle was draped all over my dad’s shoulder, tears streaming down her face as she looked at me. 

“I know you don’t like me, sweetie, but today is such a happy occasion. I just want to make a little wish. Please, let me serve Everett for the rest of his life and take care of this home for you… just as I would for your dear mother.” 

She just spoke without mentioning that today is also my mother’s death anniversary. 

Seeing my eyes blazing red, my dad just waved it off. 

“Brielle’s your elder now. This party was her way of being kind. Don’t make a scene.” 

Before he finished talking, Emily walked in in wrapping in Theo’s arm. 

“Happy birthday, my princess.” 

Theo said with heartfelt affection as he handed me a black and gold, box. 

“Holy shit! That’s the exclusive packaging from Christie’s ‘Heart of True Love‘!” someone gasped. 

“Some mystery buyer paid a fortune for it last month. That was Theo?! Oh my god, how romantic!” 

“Talk about a real–life prince charming! Amelia Brooks has all the luck!” 

But I didn’t give a damn. 

Auction pieces, prince charming–none of it mattered. 

All I cared about was the maternity gown Emily was wearing. 

That gown… was hand–stitched by my mother with her dying breath. 

“Take it off.” 

My voice was shaking, eyes locked on her. 

Emily immediately teared up and hid behind Theo. 

The guests were shocked I’d disrespect Theo like this in public. 

Theo’s voice was gentle but firm. 

“Amelia, come on. You like this style? I’ll fly the designer in tomorrow and get you a custom one, okay?” 

4- in a Coffin 

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Théo grabbed my shoulders. “Amelial Calm down! You’re pregnant!” 

Ah 

Emily suntdenly collapsed, clawing at her own neckline. 

“I know you look down on me and my mom! You’ve always bullied me!” 

Oh, that trick again. 

She used to hurt herself in high school too, then cry and scream that I hit her. 

After that, everyone labeled me the violent rich girl. The spoiled brat who bullied the poor little side pièce daughter. 

The guests were whispering, giving me disgusted looks. 

“The legitimate daughter really is a piece of work…” 

“Even if she’s a bastard, Emily’s still her sister. Why be so cruel?” 

Theo took off his jacket and wrapped it around Emily’s shoulders. 

For the first time, he looked at me codly like I 

was 

a 

“Amelia. APOLOGOZE.” 

Stranger. 

But I didn’t react. 

Watching Mom’s dress get ripped to shreds, everything went blurry. 

Theo looked shocked, reaching out to steady me. “Amelia…” 

Then Emily staggered toward me, as if to help. But the second she got close, she shoved me hard. 

My lower back slammed into the metal railing. Pain shot through my entire body. A white–hot burst that stole my breath. 

Emily threw herself into the birthday cake, getting frosting all over her face and looking like a total mess. 

“She pushed me! Why did you push me?!” 

“Emily!” 

Theo and my dad ran to her without thinking. 

But nobody noticed the blood seeping between my legs.