Chapter 2 Slander

They shared the same blood.

Blair was the girl everyone adored, the one cradled in the palms of the family's hands. Cecilia, on the other hand, was dying soon… and there wasn't a single soul who cared.

Blair's gaze suddenly shifted toward her. "Cecilia, why do you look so pale? Rufus is just giving me a birthday gift—you mustn't be upset."

Her words worked like a spotlight, drawing every pair of eyes in the room toward Cecilia.

"So this is the illegitimate daughter the Ember family keeps hidden away? And she actually had the nerve to show up at Blair's birthday party?"

"I heard that if Cecilia hadn't pulled her little tricks back then, Blair would be the one married to Rufus now."

"As they say—like mother, like daughter."

The whispers were sharp enough to cut. Cecilia's face tightened. Her voice came out dry. "I'm not upset." As if she had the right—or the standing—to be.

Rufus's dark eyes lingered on her, catching the glimpse of a thin forearm peeking out from beneath her oversized coat. It looked like a brittle branch… one that could snap with the slightest pressure. She seemed even thinner than before.

Brad's gaze was a warning, his tone a lash. "We're here to celebrate Blair's birthday. Everyone's supposed to be happy. What's with that long face?"

Cecilia pressed her lips together. Not a single person here wanted her around. "My body's not feeling well. I'll be leaving now."

She turned to go, but Blair stepped into her path, her eyes already shimmering with wounded innocence. "Cecilia, is it because you don't like me that you want to leave? Today's my birthday. I really hope you'll stay and help me cut the cake."

Cecilia's hands curled into fists. Her gaze fell on the towering seven-tier cake—beautiful, intricate. No one had ever celebrated her birthday… let alone with something like this.

Rufus's slight frown and shadowed eyes made the refusal die in her throat. At last, she nodded. "Alright."

Blair's smile bloomed instantly, and she clasped Cecilia's hand like they were sisters. But as they reached the cake table, chaos struck.

Blair stumbled forward, her body pitching toward the cake. In an instant, the towering confection collapsed, smashing to the floor—taking Blair down with it.

The elegant, festive air shattered into a scene of ruin.

"Blair!" Rufus reacted instantly, pulling her up from the wreckage.

Blair trembled in his arms, tears brimming as she stared at Cecilia in disbelief. "Why did you trip me?"

Cecilia froze. "When did I trip you?"

They had been walking side by side. She hadn't even moved toward Blair, let alone stuck out a leg. But the accusation was already hanging over her like a noose.

Her chest tightened. She saw it now—Blair had planned this from the moment she insisted they cut the cake together.

Rufus's expression darkened, his voice low and dangerous. "Cecilia." Just her name, but it carried the full weight of his anger. His gaze was cold enough to chill her to the bone.

She met his eyes, biting her lip. "I…"

Brad's voice sliced through hers, harsh and unforgiving. "Cecilia, how dare you use such filthy tricks on Blair?"

He stormed forward, his hand cracking across her face. The blow whipped her head to the side, heat blooming under her skin, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth.

"I didn't," she said, her voice tight with hurt. "I have no reason to hurt her."

Brad's teeth clenched. "Jealousy. That's reason enough. You envy everything Blair has. But those things were hers by right—you have no claim. I regret not ending your life the moment you were born."

The naked hatred in his voice made her chest ache. She had long since given up hope for parental affection, but hearing those words from her father still struck something deep.

Cecilia forced her gaze toward Blair, nestled safely in Rufus's arms. On the surface, Blair's expression was all fear and fragility—but Cecilia caught the flicker of triumph in her eyes.

A trap. Yesterday, when Brad had forced her to attend, Blair must have already decided how this would play out.

Cecilia drew a steady breath. "You say I tripped you—where's the proof? We were walking side by side. How could I have moved ahead of you to stick out my leg? And with so many people watching, do you really think I'd be stupid enough to try something like that here?"

Blair swayed in Rufus's arms, her voice breaking. "So you're saying I staged this myself? This party took me two months to plan. Why would I destroy everything just to frame you? I know you dislike me, but I've been trying to mend things between us. I didn't expect you to make a mistake and then blame me for it."

Cecilia's nails dug into her palms, but before she could speak, Rufus's voice cut in—cold, commanding. "Apologize."

She stared at him, pain filling her eyes. "Why won't you ever believe me? Why do you want me to apologize for something I didn't do?"

The disgust in his gaze was sharp, like a blade aimed straight at her. "You've been lying and scheming since the day I met you. Now apologize to Blair and get out."

"I will not apologize." Her voice trembled, but her words were firm. "I won't admit to something I didn't do."

Brad's fury flared again. "Still talking back? Clearly that slap wasn't enough."

He lunged toward her, but before his hand could fall, Cecilia's body crumpled. Darkness swallowed her.

She drifted, half-conscious, back to three years ago—to the day they found her in the same bed as Rufus. No matter how she explained that she had been the victim, no one believed her. Just like today.