Chapter 2 : The Pawn Smiles Back

If anyone noticed how calm I was at Grandfather’s funeral, they didn’t say a word.

In the past, I had cried so hard my mascara had run. I’d clung to Father’s arm, begged for comfort, and been rewarded with nothing but a cold shoulder and a harsh whisper: “Stop embarrassing yourself. You’re not even blood.”

This time, I sat with my back straight, lips painted with the faintest smile. I didn’t cry. I didn’t flinch when the will was read. I already knew what it would say.

My name would not be mentioned.

Not even once.

Because by now, Zara had already returned behind the scenes. They hadn’t introduced her yet, but they’d already decided to erase me like a pencil smudge on a perfect page.

I didn’t care.

Let them erase me. I’d write a whole damn novel in ink.

As expected, Father stood before the mourners, face solemn, voice controlled. Mother dabbed at her eyes with a silk handkerchief that matched her earrings. Elegant as always. Cold as ever.

Julian sat beside them, too close, too comfortable, his hand “accidentally” brushing Mother’s.

So.

That affair started earlier than I remembered.

My stomach twisted. Not from pain—but from disgust. I’d mourned them all once. I had loved them so deeply it destroyed me.

Never again.

As the ceremony ended, I quietly slipped away to the rear garden of the ancestral estate. I needed air. Space. Silence to think.

But of course, silence had never been a luxury in this family.

“I was wondering where you ran off to.”

Julian.

I turned slowly, hiding the fire in my eyes with a gentle blink. “Just needed a break.”

He stepped closer, face soft with concern. “Ari, you’ve been quiet today. I was worried.”

Worried? Oh, I bet he was.

“Were you?” I asked sweetly. “That’s rare.”

He blinked. “I’ve always cared.”

I gave a light laugh. “Is that what you told my sister too? Behind my back?”

His expression froze. Ah. So he had already begun. Maybe not physically. But emotionally? He had always been weak to Zara’s manipulation.

“She’s your sister—”

“She’s your weakness,” I cut in, my voice still calm. “But don’t worry, Julian. I’m not here to fight over scraps. If you want her, have her. I’m no longer interested in secondhand affection.”

He frowned, confusion etched across his handsome features. “What are you talking about?”

I stepped closer, just enough for him to smell the faint trace of my perfume. I saw his throat tighten.

I smiled. “You’ll understand soon enough.”

I left him standing in the garden, lost in a storm of thoughts.

Good.

Let him wonder who I’ve become. Because the old Arielle? She died.

And the new one?

She was learning how to turn people like him into pawns.

⸻

Later that evening, as the guests slowly left, I passed by Father’s study.

His voice carried through the cracked door.

“…If we don’t announce Zara’s return soon, the board will begin to question the company’s direction.”

My fingers paused on the doorknob.

Mother’s voice replied, quieter. “Arielle has done well running it these past two years, but she’s not ours. She was a placeholder. Nothing more.”

That sting—it used to crush me.

Now? It fueled me.

I pushed open the door with the calm of a queen entering court. Both of them stiffened as they saw me.

“Don’t stop on my behalf,” I said, smiling. “I’d hate to interrupt such a heartfelt conversation.”

Mother’s mouth opened slightly. “You should knock—”

“Why?” I tilted my head. “Because I might hear the truth?”

Father cleared his throat. “Arielle, this is neither the time nor place.”

“On the contrary,” I said. “It’s the perfect time. You see, I’ve spent years being your shadow child. Dutiful. Quiet. Disposable. But now that Zara’s coming back…” I walked forward slowly, “you’ll find I’m not so easy to throw away.”

“You have no claim to this family,” Mother hissed. “We took you in out of kindness—”

“Kindness?” I laughed, low and sharp. “You trained me to take over your company. You sent me to finance school. You gave me every weapon—then blamed me when I used them better than your ‘real daughter’ ever could.”

I leaned over the desk, eyes locked on Father’s. “So go ahead. Bring her back. Let’s see which of us the board really wants.”

Then I walked out.

Behind me, silence hung heavy like thunderclouds.

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