0:00I was just some random fake sweet girl online.
0:02Final part. Then boom!
0:04The richest couple in Rivora City showed up,
0:06waving 50 million, begging me to be their daughter in law.
0:09All because their son, the golden boy who was supposed to have it all,
0:12threw everything away simping for some broke school beauty.
0:15If that tramp actually loved him, fine.
0:17But instead
0:18she keeps rejecting him while milking his name for her family.
0:21Our son's obsessed with that manipulative girl.
0:23Then we'll find someone faker.
0:25More manipulative. Fight poison with poison.
0:27Yeah, that stung a little.
0:29But a black card with 50 mil?
0:31Hard to stay offended. I signed on to rescue their hopeless son.
0:34Then I opened the file and laughed.
0:36That tramp. My sister.
0:37The same snake I crushed years ago.
0:39The love story between the golden boy,
0:41Darien Drummond,
0:42and broke school beauty Chloe Ackley was straight up legendary.
0:45He had it all, yet spent his days simping.
0:47She had nothing, yet acted untouchable,
0:49rejecting him a thousand times.
0:51Their drama, pure soap opera.
0:53They even had a fan club. Everyone was hooked,
0:55waiting for Chloe to finally cave.
0:57So whenever another girl dared get near Darien,
1:00his fans shredded her online.
1:01On my first day after transferring,
1:03I had someone leak the news I was Darien's fiance.
1:06The second I walked into Class,
1:08a bucket of ice water dumped over me head to toe,
1:11drenched my hair and mask,
1:13stuck to my face. While the Room erupted in laughter.
1:15Chloe drifted in from the hall,
1:17wide eyed and innocent. Are you okay?
1:19They just like me too much.
1:20That's why they overreacted.
1:22Don't blame them. One of her tag along,
1:24sneered Chloe, you're too sweet.
1:26She's obviously here to steal Darien.
1:28And you're still worried about her?
1:29A few guys stepped in, blocking me off.
1:31We dumped the water. Chloe's got nothing to do with it.
1:34You try wrecking someone's relationship,
1:36don't expect a free pass. If it were anyone else,
1:39they'd be in tears, sprinting for the exit.
1:41I just let out a quiet sigh.
1:43Seriously, Chloe?
1:45Same tired tricks. Cute.
1:46Let me show you how a real pro does it.
1:48With shaky hands and frozen fingers,
1:50I peeled off the dripping mask and swept my soaked hair out of my face.
1:54Silence. One beat,
1:55then gasps. Chloe turned ghost white.
1:58My eyes went red, lip trembling.
2:00I wasn't trying to ruin anything.
2:02Mister and Missus Drummond set up the engagement.
2:05I didn't have a choice. Chloe,
2:07you don't have to worry. I'm not fighting you for him.
2:09I couldn't even if I wanted to.
2:11I glanced up at the guy, still frozen in place,
2:13voice low and cracked. I just wanted to study,
2:16make a few friends. But now everyone hates me.
2:19What am I even supposed to do?
2:20Silence. The same guys,
2:22ready to throw hands, suddenly looked like they'd stepped into a sauna.
2:25One of them mumbled S sorry,
2:27I'm Bernard. Morris,
2:28I'd, uh,
2:29be honored to be your friend.
2:30Even Chloe's backup flinched.
2:31Don't cry, okay?
2:33We didn't mean it like that.
2:34Chloe clearly hadn't seen that twist coming.
2:37Me flipping the whole scene with a few teary lines
2:39and stealing her backup in the process.
2:41She stared, eyes wide,
2:43face contorting. Then she lost it.
2:45Alison Ackley, why is it always you?
2:47Why are you still in my life?
2:48I flinched like a scared bunny and ducked behind Bernard.
2:51Did I do something wrong? Does Chloe not like me?
2:54Bernard shot her a look, stepping protectively in front of me.
2:57Chloe, this isn't on her. Chill.
2:59And that was it. Chloe snapped.
3:01She lunged and slapped me so hard,
3:03my head spun. As I stumbled back,
3:05I caught a blur moving fast toward me. Hook,
3:08line, sinker.
3:09Just like I planned. I landed right in a warm,
3:11solid chest. Guy barely looked at me.
3:14After studying me, he let go fast.
3:16You okay? I gave a tiny nod,
3:18playing tough even though my cheek was throbbing.
3:20I'm fine. Just tripped.
3:22Our eyes met, and. Yeah.
3:23He paused. But Chloe,
3:24she saw a whole different movie.
3:26She screeched and came flying at me.
3:28Darian, why are you touching her?
3:30Is that tramp trying to seduce you again?
3:32Before she could get close,
3:33Darian caught her arm. His expression twitched,
3:36definitely annoyed, but his voice stayed calm.
3:39Chloe, what's with you today?
3:40Lee is just the fiance my parents picked.
3:42It's Not even real. You know I love you.
3:45But if she gets hurt because of this,
3:46my parents are gonna hate you even more.
3:48Then how am I supposed to marry you?
3:50Bernard jumped in. Leah's been nothing but nice, Chloe.
3:53Why'd you slap her? Chloe,
3:55breathing hard, realized fast the room wasn't on her side.
3:58He forced out a smile that was somehow worse than crying.
4:01Sorry, Leah.
4:02Thought you were someone else.
4:03I glanced at Darien, then dropped my gaze with a quiet,
4:06disappointed tone. It's fine.
4:08I didn't mean to step into your relationship.
4:10He looked over, a little stiff.
4:12Then he pulled a small box from his pocket.
4:14Gift under my mom's order.
4:16From the shopping bag in his hand,
4:18he pulled out a velvet box and handed it to Chloe.
4:20I bought this one myself. If someone else gets something,
4:23so do you.
4:24Chloe's whole vibe shifted the second she spotted the full Ruby set.
4:28She lit up. Thank you, Darian.
4:29I love you so much. I opened mine.
4:32Just a branded hair clip. Decent label,
4:34nothing special. Yeah,
4:36she got love, I got a polite gesture.
4:38Chloe shot me a look practically glowing with smugness. Wow, Leah,
4:42your little hair clip is so cute.
4:44You should totally put it on.
4:45Under all those eyes. Few silent tears slid down my face.
4:48Bernard looked panicked. Even Darien's smile vanished.
4:51Thank you, but I can't accept this.
4:53Darien frowned. Why not?
4:55I looked up, eyes full.
4:56Of quiet defeat. Chloe's the future,
4:58Misses Drummond. She deserves the best designer, everything.
5:02The spotlight, the fairy tale.
5:03I'm just a small town nobody.
5:05Getting into the same college as you guys was already a miracle.
5:08I wouldn't dare ask for more.
5:09I wiped my cheeks and turned to the girl standing behind Chloe.
5:13Smile. Soft, steady.
5:14You're really pretty. I think it'd suit you better.
5:17And since Chloe already has enough to fill a boutique,
5:20I figured sharing wouldn't hurt.
5:21Here. My gift to you.
5:22And knowing Chloe, sharing anything wasn't in her vocabulary.
5:26Sure enough, the girl lit up.
5:27Thank you. No one's ever given me something this nice.
5:30I'm Renee Gomez. We're besties now.
5:33You ever need anything, I got you.
5:35I'd played the quiet, humble act so well,
5:37no one even thought to question it.
5:39Arion's eyes flickered just a hint of admiration.
5:42Meanwhile, Chloe stood frozen,
5:43clutching her Ruby box
5:45like she couldn't decide if she should keep it or fake generosity.
5:48One move and I had the room's sympathy wrapped around my finger.
5:51And Chloe? She just looked petty.
5:53Just as I was heading out,
5:54Arion called after me and handed me a credit card.
5:57My family hasn't treated you right.
5:59Don't sell yourself short.
6:00Use this to get something you actually want.
6:03My ears went hot. I gave a small,
6:05shy nod. Chloe shot me a death glare,
6:07seething, but stayed quiet.
6:09It wasn't until I stepped through the school gates that It hit me why
6:12she'd been holding back all day,
6:13because there they were, storming toward me.
6:15Walter and Diana. My oh so loving parents.
6:18You brat!
6:19Snuck out of the psych ward just to wreck your sister's life again,
6:22huh? Smack!
6:23Her slap cracked across my face.
6:25Diana's expression was pure venom.
6:27Hand already lifting for round two
6:29until Darien stepped between us, drowning.
6:31What's going on? You know her?
6:33I covered my cheek, looking small, fragile.
6:36Sir, ma'am,
6:37have we met before? Chloe?
6:38Hissed Darien, you don't know the whole story.
6:41Lee is my unstable sister.
6:42She was institutionalized five years ago.
6:45She tore our family apart.
6:46Our parents kicked her out,
6:48and now she's back with a fake name,
6:50trying to ruin my life and steal you.
6:52She looked way too smug, like the plot twist was hers to drop.
6:55I knew you wouldn't believe me if I said it straight,
6:57so I called our parents, we set a trap,
6:59and boom. Caught.
7:00She gave me this pitying look.
7:02Ali, are your episodes getting worse?
7:04Might need a tighter facility.
7:05This time Walter jumped in,
7:07practically tripping over himself to kiss up to Darian.
7:10That's right. My daughter's unstable.
7:12She's a threat to Chloe. You can't just let her go.
7:15And with that, both of them grabbed my arms,
7:17dragging me toward a black car.
7:18But instead of freaking out like they clearly expected,
7:21I just widened my eyes, letting a flicker of envy slip through.
7:25I Wish I actually had parents.
7:26Then I shook my head, tears clinging to my lashes but refusing to fall.
7:30Chloe, I know you can't stand me,
7:32but you're the golden girl.
7:33You've got it all. Loving parents,
7:35Darian by your side. You deserve the best.
7:38I'm just some orphan from nowhere.
7:39Just being here feels like a miracle.
7:41Why would I ever think I could compete for a title like Darien's wife?
7:45I looked at her, heartbroken but calm.
7:47Why lie like this? Why go so far just to break me?
7:50Darien stepped in before anyone else could speak.
7:52Lee is the orphan daughter of one of my dad's old friends.
7:55She grew up out in the countryside.
7:57You've got the wrong girl.
7:58Even he didn't realize it.
7:59How his tone had shifted. Not cold,
8:02not neutral, protective.
8:03Diana was fuming. Allison,
8:05you lying tramp! You lived under our roof for over 10 years.
8:09You think I can't prove it?
8:10But the more she scrolled through her phone,
8:12the wider her face went. This.
8:13This can't be right. Chloe leaned in,
8:15nervous now. But no matter how deep they dug,
8:18they came up with nothing.
8:19No photos, no proof.
8:21No trace of me anywhere. Of course not.
8:23I'd never show up without scrubbing every detail first.
8:26The acleys always hated me.
8:28Like they'd ever keep pictures of me around.
8:30And with the Drummonds backing me,
8:31every loose end had already been erased.
8:34That's enough. How long are you gonna drag This out,
8:36Darien snapped. His patience was shot.
8:38And honestly, he'd never liked Walter and Diana to begin with.
8:42Now even his tolerance for Chloe was running out.
8:45Chloe froze. Darien,
8:46you don't believe me? Leah, really?
8:48I s my crazy sister. He sighed,
8:50rubbing his temples. I thought you weren't like your parents,
8:53but look at you.
8:54Teaming up to tear down a girl who's done nothing wrong,
8:56kicking her while she's down.
8:57I'm seriously disappointed.
8:59Chloe started to speak, but I gently reached for her hand.
9:02Chloe, I grew up without parents.
9:04I know how hard that is. If you really thought I was your sister,
9:07maybe it's just been too long since you've seen her.
9:10You should go visit sometime.
9:11I bet she misses you. One line.
9:13That's all it took to lock in the image. Kind,
9:15patient, heartbreakingly gracious.
9:17And at the same time, I reminded everyone
9:20just how badly the achelis had failed their other daughter.
9:22I saw it in Darien's eyes.
9:24The shift pity was gone.
9:26Something warmer had taken its place.
9:28And that kind of look. That's usually how love starts.
9:30Darian's gaze lingered on me far too long,
9:33soft and unreadable, the protective set of his shoulders never fading
9:37as he glared at the acleys.
9:38I'll have my assistant escort you off campus.
9:40If you bother Leah again, I'll press charges.
9:43Chloe's face twisted with pure rage,
9:45her nails digging into her palms until her knuckles whitened.
9:48She. She couldn't scream.
9:49Couldn't Lash out. Not with Darien watching.
9:51Not after she'd already ruined her sweet image.
9:54Walter and Diana paled, gammering excuses,
9:57their earlier arrogance crushed into fear.
9:59I wiped my fake tears,
10:01leaning slightly toward Darien like I trusted him,
10:03my voice small and grateful.
10:05Thank you. No one's ever stood up for me before.
10:07He stiffened,
10:08then gently brushed a strand of hair from my stinging cheek. Touch.
10:12Careful. You don't have to pretend to be strong with me.
10:14As the Achilles were dragged away,
10:16Chloe shot me a silent, murderous glare,
10:18mouthing a vicious threat.
10:20I smiled faintly, barely perceptible,
10:22letting her see I'd won this round.
10:24But when Darien turned back,
10:25my soft, vulnerable mask slid right back on.
10:28Little did he know, I'd already planted a tiny tracker on Chloe's bag.
10:32Tonight I'd expose every one of her lies,
10:34and Darien would be the one to find them.
