The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 205

Chapter 205

“The party’s at Blue Sapphire,” I said, my voice flat. She’s really splurging.”

“She’s always needed the biggest and the best, I added, setting down my fork. Even when we were kids, her birthday parties had to outshine everyone else’s. I remember one year, she threw a fit because my mother’s gift to me–a simple silver bracelet–got more attention than her new designer handbag. The next day, the bracelet disappeared. She denied taking it, of course.”

Ryan checked his watch. I’m sorry, I have a date I need to get to.” He looked at me with concern. “Are you sure you want to go to that party? Scarlett’s

obviously planning something.”

I nodded, taking a sip of my wine. “Absolutely. I want to see what she’s up to.” I straightened my shoulders, steeling myself. “Besides, I’ve spent too many years avoiding confrontation with her. I’m done hiding.”

After settling the bill, Ryan walked me to my car. “Be careful tonight,” he warned. “And call me if anything happens.”

“I will,” I promised, though I had no intention of letting Scarlett get to me. The scared, insecure girl who had once been terrorized by her stepsister was gone. In her place stood a woman who had finally learned to fight back.

The Blue Sapphire was bathed in soft golden light when I arrived, the Manhattan skyline glittering behind floor–to–ceiling windows. Scarlett had chosen a white and gold theme, with enormous floral arrangements and champagne fountains at every turn. The opulence was suffocating, a shrine to excess that perfectly reflected my stepsister’s personality.

As I stepped inside, I immediately sensed eyes on me. My midnight blue dress stood out in stark contrast to the sea of white and gold outfits surrounding me. I had known about the dress code–there had been a note in Scarlett’s invitation–but I had deliberately chosen to ignore it.

In the corner, I spotted two familiar faces: Lillian Lewis and Chloe Carter, my high school classmates who had once been my friends–until Scarlett had

come between us.

The memory surfaced with painful clarity. I had been sixteen, and for once, things had been going well. I had been selected for the advanced art program, and Lillian and Chloe had been my closest friends. Then one afternoon, everything changed.

“You pushed her into the wall?” Lillian had demanded, her voice echoing in the school hallway. “What is wrong with you, Aria?”

“I didn’t touch her, I had protested, confusion giving way to dread as I saw Scarlett approach, arm bandaged dramatically, eyes red from crying. “She’s

lying.”

“I don’t know why you hate me so much,” Scarlett had said, her voice trembling perfectly. I’ve tried so hard to be your sister.”

“We all saw the buises, Chloe had added, putting a protective arm around Scarlett. “God, Aria, I never thought you’d be capable of something like this.”

I remembered standing there, surrounded by accusing eyes, my protests falling on deaf ears. The truth–that Scarlett had locked herself in the bathroom, made herself cry, and then emerged with a self–inflicted bruise on her arm–didn’t matter. Her performance had been flawless, and overnight, I had become the villain in my own life.

I grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and took a slow sip, mentally preparing myself for the inevitable confrontation. The memory of that public humiliation still burned, but tonight, I wasn’t the same defenseless girl.

‘Look who’s here, Lillian said, her voice carrying across the room as she approached. “Aria Harper. Are you here to crash the party?”

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TO Wed, Dec 31 M

Chapter 205

I smiled politely, fighting to keep my expression neutral despite the surge of old anger. “Why would you think that?”

“Don’t play innocent, she scoffed. “We all remember what you did to Scarlett in high school. Just because she’s your stepsister now doesn’t mean you can keep bullying her.”

I felt my chest tighten, the old accusation still able to wound after all these years. “Interesting. Ten years have passed, and you still believe that lie.”

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