Chapter 2 A sister’s smile

THIRD PERSON'S POV.

Clara’s room was a full contrast to Serena’s. Where Serena had maintained the same organization from her high school years, Clara’s room looked just like her, you could tell it had gotten a lot of work done. The room was bathed in fluorescent lights, its quiet simplicity very deliberate. Shades of white and grey softened everything, the pale linen curtains and the glossy night stand with a vase of white roses. Everything looked untouched except for the walk in closet at the extreme end of the room.

Clara laid sprawled on the queen sized bed, a thin layer of lingerie clung to her like second skin, soft sheer and quietly dangerous. She crossed and uncrossed her legs as she watched Jonathan walk into the room, a victorious smile spread across her face.

“I knew you couldn’t resist”. She said as she popped an olive into her mouth. “Did you put my beloved sister to bed at least?”. She taunted, her smile growing even wider as Jonathan crossed the room in quick long strides.

“We are playing a dangerous game, what if she wakes up and sees my car still parked in the drive way?”. Jonathan wasn’t really concerned about that, she could tell because as he got closer to the bed the bulge in his pants got bigger. 

She crawled towards him, slow and deliberate until the space between them vanished. “Relax, I had one of the guards move your car to the back of the house”. She reached for him, her touch barely there but enough for him to draw in a sharp breath. “Now, I didn’t invite you over to listen to you talk all night”.

The night was memorable, every night they spent together was. Jonathan carefully put his clothes back on, the sound of rustling fabric cutting through the silence. Behind him Clara sat at the edge of the bed, unbothered, her voice smooth and steady.

“So,” she murmured, “where are we in the plan? Did you propose to her yet?”

He didn’t turn. “We are close. I sold her some bullshit story, and gave her a cheap promise ring. She seemed pretty excited, eyes all glossy, voice trembling like I’d just handed her the world.”

Clara let out a small laugh, low and cruel. “Of course she did. Serena and her fairytales.” She propped her chin on her hand. “She’s always been so desperate to be loved. It’s almost… sad.”

“Sad?” Jonathan’s brow arched. “Try pathetic. She actually said she couldn’t believe I chose her. Like any man would choose a woman that shows up everywhere looking like a little boy.” He chuckled darkly. “She even thanked me, Clara. Thanked me, for loving her.”

Clara’s laughter filled the room, soft and venomous. “That’s my dear sister for you. Always grateful for scraps. You could tell her you find her charming when she cries, and she’d think it’s poetry.”

“She eats up every word,” Jonathan said, pacing a little, enjoying himself. “The way she looks at me, like I’m her miracle.” He turned back to Clara with a grin. “The audacity to think that I, Jonathan Hales, would fall for someone that looks like that. Like a charity case.”

“Don’t be too hard on her,” Clara teased, voice dripping with malice. “She’s not used to attention. You’re the first man who’s ever made her feel seen, even if it’s all a lie.”

“Oh, I’ll make her feel seen,” Jonathan said, buttoning his shirt. “Right before she realizes the whole world was watching her fall for a lie.”

A faint smile touched Clara’s lips. “Good”.

Ever since they were little Serena had always been the favored one even when it came to their mothers love. the golden girl with soft eyes and gentleness that seemed to make people forgive her before she even did wrong. Teachers adored her. Even strangers seemed to bend towards her sunlight persona. It wasn’t that Serena meant to outshine her and that made it worse. Her innocence was effortless, her kindness unintentional, and it only highlighted everything Clara wasn’t. Every compliment Serena received was a reminder that Clara had to work twice as hard just to be seen. 

Three years ago, Clara returned to Monterra after spending four years studying in France.

Horace hadn’t wanted her to go at first, but her grandfather had insisted. Deep down Clara knew he did it to protect her, Charles didn’t want her around Horace anymore. His abuse had grown worse, more frequent and harder to ignore.

Grateful and eager to escape, Clara packed her belongings and left without hesitation. But Horace made sure he planted one final seed before she did.

Why had Charles sent her across the world?

Why not to the same school as Serena?

Slowly, carefully, Horace convinced Clara that her grandfather simply wanted her gone so he could make room for Serena to take over the company.

Creating a rift between the sisters had always been his mission. He fed Clara the idea that Charles had favorites, that Serena had always been chosen over her and he made sure Clara felt it in every small, intentional way.

The affection Clara once held for her younger sister began to rot, slowly giving way to resentment… then hatred.

While she lived abroad, Clara didn’t just study.She learned. She planned. Every year slightly adding fuel to a growing fire.

So when she returned to Monterra and heard whispers that Jonathan Hales was pursuing Serena, she recognized the opportunity when she saw it.

This wasn’t just about stealing Serena’s love.

This was about revenge.

About humiliation.

About making Serena suffer.

Now, watching Jonathan slip his cufflinks into place, Clara felt her old ache melt into something sweeter, something like satisfaction. This time, things would be different. This time Clara would win and Serena’s purity wouldn’t..

“I have to go before the staff wake up and see me sneaking out of your room”. Jonathan said, snapping her back to reality. He placed a quick kiss on her cheek. “I’ll see you tonight”?

“Yeah” she murmured with a smile on her face. “I’ll Meet you at the club”.

Clara lay back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling.

Somewhere down the hall, a door creaked.

Clara sighed, wondering what would reach Serena first the truth… or the lie.