Filed to story: Second Chance Mafia Bride Drama Novel
Fairhaven Suites
This was the venue for Nora’s birthday party, and though the event had yet to begin, the grand hall was already buzzing with guests.
Rubina, elegantly dressed, was surrounded by several young socialites, all dripping with diamonds and idle gossip.
“Serena isn’t here yet?”
“She’s really going to wear that outfit?”
“This one’s even worse than last time. Just thinking about it makes my eyes hurt!”
“Seriously, your family’s going to be the laughingstock because of her!”
Their voices dripped with disdain whenever Serena’s name came up.
This was no accident-Rubina had already shared a photo in their group chat, supposedly of the dress Serena would be wearing tonight. She was certain, as always, that Serena would obediently follow her instructions, so she hadn’t hesitated to spread the word and stir up anticipation for the spectacle.
Rubina secretly relished their reactions as they took turns tearing Serena down.
“It’s your mother’s birthday party. Are you really going to let her make a scene like this?” one girl chided.
Rubina forced a bitter smile. “I tried to stop her, but she just wouldn’t listen. She insisted on wearing it…”
“If you ask me, she shouldn’t have been invited at all! Her showing up is practically ruining the whole party. It’s your mother’s birthday, for heaven’s sake!”
Rubina’s lips curled ever so slightly, but out loud she just sighed in helpless resignation. “Serena is still my sister, after all. It’s my mom’s birthday-how could she not come? If she ends up embarrassing herself, I can only hope you’ll all be understanding.”
Her friends shook their heads, exasperated. “Rubina, you’re way too nice! She’s not even your real sister. Why bother? She doesn’t belong in our circle. Let her fend for herself from now on!”
In their eagerness to scorn Serena, they seemed to forget that Rubina was not the Greco family’s real daughter-Serena was. Rubina was just the stepdaughter. If anyone didn’t truly belong in this world, it was Rubina herself. But Rubina acted as if she’d forgotten that, too, showing only a mask of helplessness and not uttering a word of protest.
Amid the chatter, someone suddenly hurried over, breathless. “Serena’s here!”
All eyes lit up, faces brightening with anticipation for the spectacle.
“She’s here! Oh, my eyes are already bracing for the worst!”
“Should’ve brought some eye drops tonight.”
“Wonder what kind of makeup disaster she’s sporting this time?”
“It’s bound to be hideous. Remember last time? All that goth and punk mess. Why does she torture us like this?”
“She doesn’t belong at a party like this-she’d be better off joining a circus. They’d welcome her with open arms…”
The group cackled, too busy reveling in their own cruelty to notice the odd look on the messenger’s face.
“Actually…” she began hesitantly, “Serena looks…different tonight.”
One girl snorted. “Different how? Even more of an eyesore?”
The others burst out laughing, all turning expectantly toward the entrance.
But suddenly, the laughter died. Each smile froze in place as their eyes widened in astonishment, staring at the doorway in utter disbelief.
For a brief, breathless moment, the entire ballroom fell silent. Every pair of eyes snapped to the grand entrance.
There, at the center of their attention, was a young woman making her way inside with effortless grace.
Her eyes glittered like cut glass, clear and striking. Delicate features framed her face, soft as a rose in bloom. She wore a lake-blue evening gown, the hem sparkling with tiny crystals that shimmered with each step-like she was trailing a river of stars behind her.
Tonight, Serena’s dress had been specially commissioned by Nicholas himself, and her hair and makeup were put together by a professional team he’d arranged.
Of course, she wasn’t foolish enough to wear the dress Rubina had sent her. With Nicholas’s status, was she ever lacking for an evening gown?
“Am I seeing things?” someone whispered in shock. “That girl… she looks just like Serena, doesn’t she?”
“Was Serena always this pretty? I only remember her in those garish outfits and wild makeup, looking like a circus clown…”
Rubina’s smile faltered, her nails digging deep into her palm until she almost broke the skin.
How could Serena look like this?
Seeing so many people in the ballroom utterly stunned, Rubina was close to grinding her teeth to dust.
Nearby, someone leaned toward Nora, astonished. “Your stepdaughter cleans up well! Why did she look so ridiculous before?”
Nora’s heart dropped.
Again. Serena was slipping out of her control-again.
Was this just a coincidence, or had someone at Rosewood Manor taught her?
She forced a wry smile. “Who knows what goes through that girl’s head? She used to like dressing herself that way. I didn’t want to meddle too much.” On Rubina’s side of the room-
“What’s going on? Rubina, didn’t you say Serena would be wearing that dress you picked out?”
A few society girls glanced at Rubina, expecting answers.
Rubina forced a smile. “I have no idea. I’ll go ask her…”
She hurried across the floor to Serena, lowering her voice and speaking in a rush, “Serena, why aren’t you wearing the dress I gave you?”
Serena could feel the weight of everyone’s eyes on her; inside, she scoffed. Wear Rubina’s dress, just to play the fool and give people something to laugh at again?
She lifted her lashes with a careless grace, gave her skirt a playful twirl, and asked, “Don’t I look good like this?”
Noticing how every man and woman in the room seemed glued to Serena, Rubina’s smile grew painfully stiff. She lied through her teeth, “You look fine, but… it’s a bit ordinary. The other one had more personality. It suited you better.”
If ever there was a bald-faced lie, this was it.
Serena gave her a glance, then suddenly smiled. “Rubina, do you like that dress so much?”
Rubina, desperate to please, answered automatically, “Of course…”
“Perfect! I brought it with me. Why don’t you wear it yourself?” Serena replied, and with a sudden gesture, motioned to someone behind her.
A moment later, an attendant entered carrying the dress-displayed on a hanger, in all its hideous glory.
Someone in the crowd couldn’t help but mutter “Yikes,” wishing they could scrub their eyes.
Rubina’s heart skipped a beat. She opened her mouth to protest, but Serena’s voice rang out-clear and bright, carrying across the hall.
“Rubina, didn’t you say you liked this dress? I brought it for you-why not wear it tonight?”
“And you and Mrs. Sinclair really don’t need to pick out my clothes anymore. Maybe you both think these are lovely, but I certainly don’t!”
“In the past, when you insisted I wear them, I didn’t have a choice. I wore them for your sake. But now, I don’t want to-my husband says they look ridiculous, too!”
She made no effort to lower her voice, letting her irritation show for all to hear.