The Kiss that Sparked it All

“Really, what is there to be jealous of, huh? Jealous that you hijacked the life meant for your own flesh and blood sister? Or maybe it’s because for years you’ve been living a lie, parroting her habits to curry favor with Balfour? You might think you’re sitting pretty with your high and mighty lifestyle, but I don’t buy it. I’m me, and I could never lose myself the way you have.”

Her words struck Mara like a thunderclap, causing her to snap her eyes open wide. “What on earth are you blabbering about? Don’t think you can spout nonsense just because you’ve had a few too many drinks! If I catch you spreading these rumors again, friendship be damned, I won’t go easy on you!”

Olivia scoffed with disdain. “Think I want to be your friend? Seeing what happened to your sister only gives me the creeps. Tell me, if Balfour ever find out the true reason behind Victoria’s death, would they still feel indebted for the life she once saved? They’d more likely want to wring your neck!”

Alyssa, intending to check on Ivy, had not expected to overhear such a conversation from the shadows.

What did Olivia mean by the true reason behind Victoria’s death? What secrets from the past were still buried? Why did Mara seem so panicked upon hearing her words, as if desperate to flee? What was she so guilty of?

Alyssa held her breath, hidden in her spot, yearning to unravel the depth of these revelations.

“You’re drunk, Olivia. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. We don’t want a repeat of that past scandal. I’ve got to dash.”

Mara, anxious to escape, clutched her purse and made for the door. But Olivia, having the upper hand in their argument for once, was not about to let this opportunity slip away. She gripped Mara’s wristNôvelDrama.Org: owner of this content.

tightly. “Need I remind you again? Last time we were back in the country, I overheard your sleep talking. I’ve got some evidence up my sleeve. Don’t doubt me, or go ahead and test me if you dare.”

Mara couldn’t risk probing Olivia about the past; she knew all too well the nightmares that plagued her sleep, making it impossible to share a bed with anyone, anywhere. She feared her midnight mumbling might inadvertently reveal the whole truth.

“What do you want from me? Don’t forget, if it weren’t for me taking you in, you’d probably have been finished off by that mob boss’s daughter. You wouldn’t be here at this fancy soiree, would you? Without me, you wouldn’t even be able to step foot into the Howard Mansion, let alone mingle with those men.”

Olivia found Mara’s desperation somewhat fascinating. For years, Mara had been the benevolent one, bestowing upon her the unwanted scraps of her life. Even the friendship they shared seemed to Olivia a one-sided affair of her own making.

Mara’s deeds were always calculated; without something to gain, Olivia knew their friendship would be discarded. It was a bitter truth she had come to realize recently.

Mara was like an ungrateful serpent, ready to strike when least expected.

“Sure, I know that without you I’d have nowhere to go, but aren’t you using me too? Don’t you want me to win back Balfour’s heart for you? How noble of you, ‘taking me in.’ But that house you’re living in, is it even yours? It’s simply the generosity of the Howard family that allows you to stay there.”