Chapter 47
Chapter 47:
Bella remembered seeing the necklace in a magazine, its rare pink hue marking it as a one-in-a-million treasure. She knew it was worth a fortune—an eight-figure fortune.
A storm of jealousy brewed inside Bella, dark and consuming. Damned Yelena!
Yelena and Cayson chatted animatedly, their laughter filling the room like old friends reunited. Their natural camaraderie made it hard to believe they had only just met.
Bella, however, felt like a stranger in her own home. A pang of jealousy pierced her heart as she watched them. Before Yelena’s return, Cayson had always been her closest ally. He’d spoiled her endlessly, buying her anything she casually mentioned—even if it was only in passing.
But now, his warmth seemed reserved for Yelena. He felt distant, detached from Bella in a way that stung deeply. Was it just because Yelena was his biological sister?
Lost in thought, Bella bit her lip so hard she almost drew blood. Donna, observing the scene, felt her heart swell with contentment. The bond forming between Yelena and Cayson brought her immense joy. Despite having spent years apart, the connection between them seemed effortless, as though no time had passed at all.
Shortly after, Callum arrived home, and the family gathered for dinner. The dining table buzzed with warmth and joy as the conversation centered around Yelena. Everyone was eager to hear about her first day at campus.
Yelena spoke calmly, reassuring them that everything was going smoothly and that she was adapting well. Her composed demeanor put the family at ease, and smiles spread around the table—except for Bella, who sat quietly, her mind elsewhere.
Bella forced a few bites of food, though she had no appetite. She knew this wasn’t the moment to voice her feelings, so she excused herself early and retreated to her room. Alone, Bella felt a growing sense of unease. Ever since Yelena’s return, Bella’s place within the Harris family had begun to feel precarious.
𝘽𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢
She had once been the beloved daughter, the family’s pride and joy. Now, the attention that had always been hers was slipping away, drawn toward Yelena. Sitting on her bed, Bella’s thoughts swirled.
Suddenly, an idea struck her—her grandmother would be returning soon from her retreat.
The upcoming banquet for Yelena’s formal introduction would surely draw her grandmother, the most senior and influential member of the Harris family. Hope flickered in Bella’s chest.
Her grandmother had always favored her above all, charmed by Bella’s sweet demeanor and her talents. With her grandmother back, Bella was certain she’d have an ally. “There’s no way Yelena would ever win over Grandma,” she thought. Yelena’s personality, with its cool detachment, was unlikely to resonate with someone like their grandmother.
Feeling slightly reassured, Bella began counting the days until her grandmother’s return. The thought of watching Yelena’s newfound favor crumble brought Bella a sense of calm.
After supper, Yelena returned to her own room. No sooner had she sat down than her phone rang. It was Brody.
“Yelena, just a reminder—the treatment appointment with the Barton family is this weekend. I’ll send you the details later p>