Sweet For You, Ruthless For Others

"You're not going tonight,"

Hermia blinked, startled by the sudden attack. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Selena hissed, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against the edge of her plate. "You'll embarrass us. Do everyone a favor and either reject the invitation or lock yourself in your room like you usually do."

'Like I always do?!'

Hermia stared at her sister, her fists clenching beneath the table. Selena's smug tone was as sharp as the smirk curling her lips.

"No," Hermia said firmly, surprising even herself with the conviction in her voice. She must really mean it.

Selena's smirk faltered. "What did you just say?"

"I said no," Hermia repeated, lifting her chin. "Do you remember yesterday? When I asked you for help? When I begged you to keep what happened a secret, and you refused? You ruthlessly told on me the minute you got home."

Selena rolled her eyes dramatically, but Hermia wasn't finished.

"Well, now it's my turn to say no," Hermia continued. "And you know what? I'm actually looking forward to tonight. I need to step out, meet people, and get some fresh air away from everything." She leaned forward, matching Selena's sharp gaze. "You're not holding me back this time."

Selena's eyes widened briefly before narrowing into a glare. "You're pathetic," she spat, leaning back in her chair. "You think Dad actually cares about you? This is a pity assignment, nothing more. You'll just embarrass yourself, like you always do."

Hermia bit her lip, swallowing the sharp retort on the tip of her tongue. Her fingers tightened around her fork as a bitter memory surfaced—a memory she couldn't suppress, no matter how hard she tried.

It had been after high school that she'd been allowed a summer here years ago when their father had instructed both of them to prepare for an important meeting with guests from Asia. 

Hermia had been ecstatic, thinking it was her chance to prove herself. She'd even spent hours memorizing the guests' names and researching their business interests.

But on the day of the meeting, Selena and Mariela had cornered her in her room. Selena had locked the door from the outside, laughing as Hermia's fists pounded against it. By the time one of the maids had found her, the meeting was over.

Hermia had missed everything.

She could still hear her stepmother's cutting words from that day. "You're an embarrassment, Hermia. You couldn't even show up on time."

And worse, her father's disappointment had been palpable. He hadn't scolded her, but his cold silence spoke volumes.

She also didn't spend the break here, it was one weekend and she was back to the US.

Not again, Hermia thought fiercely. Her heart raced as she stared down Selena, her determination burning bright.

"I'm not missing this," Hermia said quietly but firmly. "Not for you. Not for anyone."

Selena scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Fine. Go ahead and embarrass yourself. But don't come crying to me when Dad sees you for the disaster you are."

Hermia smiled faintly, though the tension in her chest refused to ease. "Don't worry, Selena. I won't need you."

Selena stood abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. She gave Hermia one last scathing look before storming out of the dining room.

Hermia exhaled shakily, her hands trembling slightly as she placed her utensils on her plate. Her appetite was gone, but the fire in her chest remained.

Never again, she promised herself. This time, I'll show them who I really am.

She needs to get ready for the night!

It's just morning but her mind wouldn't be able to settle and so she ends up obsessing over it.

She's going for the kill tonight, which means she's going to the clothe store.

She stood up with a smile and a heavily beating heart, rushed up the stairs to change.

Hermia stood in front of the mirror, her determination flickering in her golden-brown eyes. 

She smoothed down the wrinkles on her dress and let out a shaky breath, her heart pounding harder than it should. 

Tonight was the night. She wasn't just dressing up for an outing—this was preparation for war.

She whispered to herself, "This isn't just about clothes. This is about making Dad see me."

The decision gave her a rush of energy. Her lips curved into a small smile as she rushed upstairs to change. 

She slipped into a simple short dress—casual yet elegant, something easy to move in. The fabric brushed softly against her skin as if it sensed her apprehension. 

She didn't need anything flashy. 

Tonight, her presence alone would do the talking.

Grabbing her bag, Hermia headed out, carefully avoiding any run-ins with her family. The sprawling estate seemed eerily quiet, but she was grateful. 

The last thing she wanted was an interrogation or worse—Selena's sneering remarks.

Once outside, Hermia paused by the driveway and glanced at the polished, glinting cars parked in neat rows. The luxury vehicles gleamed under the soft glow of the estate's lights. 

Any one of them could have whisked her to her destination in style, but they weren't hers to use. 

Her step mother she was sure had issued strict instructions to the estate guards—no cars, no chauffeurs, and no Ubers allowed past the estate gate especially if she was the one inside.

Her fingers curled into fists as she let out a resigned sigh. She understood his protectiveness, but this felt like a gilded cage.

As she turned to walk down the long estate road, her steps faltered at the sound of approaching heels clicking against the pavement. 

She turned just in time to see Selena, her ever-perfect half-sister, stepping outside in a figure-hugging outfit that screamed wealth and vanity.

Selena's smirk was like a dagger aimed at her. A chauffeur rushed to Selena's side, bowing slightly as he opened the car door with practiced precision. 

Selena slid into the plush seat, her lips curling into a smile that bordered on smugness.

Hermia tried to ignore her, quickening her pace to move ahead. 

Her own escape was going to be far less glamorous—a long walk to the gate where her Uber waited beyond the watchful eyes of the estate guards.

As the sleek black car purred to life, Selena lowered the tinted window, leaning out just enough to make sure Hermia noticed.

"Walking again like an outcast, dear sister?" Selena cooed, her tone sugary and sharp.