ALINA’S POV

Thinking it was Lucian finally calling. I hurriedly pulled it from my purse and answered without checking the caller ID.

Big mistake.

“Hi. Sister.

Ughh somebody please shoot me.

The sugary voice of Seraphina met my ear, instantly dampening my mood,

Talia noticed and frowned.

“Who is that? She mouthed.!--

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“Seraphina,” I mouthed back.

Bitch.” She mouthed again, making me stifle augh.

“Hey, Phina. I was just about to call you.” I lied, my tone taking on that fake sugary

gary note specifically reserved for her.

Faking is hard work, but if Seraphina did it for ba /bliving without breaking a sweat, then so could L

“Oh yeah?” She said sweetly.

“Yeah. After 1 snuck out to go see Adrian, Lucian was breally /bmad, and he btook /bmy phone from bme /band blocked /bme up. I only just got my phone now.” The lie left my lips effortlessly.

I put the phone on speaker mode and bced /bit on the table so that Talia could hear the conversation.

Mia pointed at her phone screen then at the door. I gave her a nod, and she walked outside to take ba /bcall.

“Honestly, I don’t know how you deal with him, sis. He is a beast.” Seraphina shot. If I didn’t bknow /bbetter, I would have thought she was worried about me, but knowing better, I knew she wanted badly to be in my ce, to be future Mrs. ckwood.

“I know, he’s the worst.” I rolled my eyes.

Talie chuckled silently.

“I was calling to check up on you. Hope you’re bgood/b? He didn’t hurt you?”

“Tim alright.” I responded.

b“/bAre we bgood /bthough?” Her tone held skepticism.

“Of course we are. Why wouldn’t we be?” My tone sounded curious, but I knew exactly what she was talking about.

“You know how things were thest time I came over-

“bI’m /bso sorry about the p, I had to keep appearance with Lucian, you know.” I exined trying hard not tough.

“Wait, you bpped /bher?” Talia whispered in excitement.

“Il tell you bter/b.” I mouthed,

“In fact I bwas /bgoing to buy you ba /bmeal to apologize sometime this week. When are you free?” I continued

“I’will be free the day after tomorrow.” She sounded eager.

Of course she bwould /bnever miss a d

a chance to spend money that isn’t hers.

“Perfect then. You bjust /bpick a ce and all expenses will be on me.”

“An, you’re the best, sis. I love byou/b.” Her fake warmth was so obvious it bmade /bmy skin bcrawl/b.

bEven /bTalia gagged.

“See byou /bthen.”

“bWait/b!!” She called, just as my finger hovered over the end button.

-Do

you need something?” I asked sweetly, but inside I was annoyed. I wanted to be done with this call already.

“Have you heard of Alinova?”

My lips curved binto /bba /bbsmile /bat bher /bquestion

Talia braised /ba brow in amusement.

“No.“I lied. “What’s thatb?/bb” /b

“Oh, nothing.” She said in dismissal. “Just some amateur that has just entered the industry.”

Oh, it’s not nothing, okay. I know Seraphina well enough to know that she feels threatened.

With my stolen designs, she’s the number one designer in the city, but now, that spot is being threatened.

“Oh, okay.” I said in fake softness, “What do you need me to do?” I asked her.

“bI /bneed you to create your best design yet. This Alinova person is organising a fashion show next month to officially introduce themselves into the fashion industry, and different designers will be there to showcase their work-

“I’ve got you, sis. I’ll design something that even Alinova, whoever they are, would be stunned by.” I cut her off sweetly.

If I didn’t, she would go on and on and on.

“I knew I could count on youb, /bbsis/b.”

“Of bcourse/b, anytime. You’ll get the designs when we meet up. I told her.

“Alright then. Ciao.”

And then she hung up

“Fucking dumbass.” I bspat/b, making Taliaugh.

“Seems like the princess to the Dawn Empire is already feeling threatened” Shemented amused. “Oh, I cannot wait to see the look on her face when she realizes it’s been you all along.” She added with a chuckle.

“Me too.” I smiled as I pictured it,

*Now what is this I hear about you pping her?” Talia looked at me eagerly.

“Let’s hit the club and I’ll tell you all babout /bit. I am too sober to be having a conversation about Seraphina”

“Party btime/b!!!” Talia cheered, her excitement returning.