Luna Roscente's birthday party became the laughingstock of the entire city.
The house was suffocating with tension.
Luna curled up in her mother's arms, weeping pitifully.
"Mom, my party is ruined... Everyone's mocking me..."
Her father sat on the couch, chain-smoking with a thunderous expression.
Liam Anderson kicked open my door, his eyes bloodshot with rage.
"Was it you? Stella Anderson, you're absolutely heartless!"
I sat cross-legged on the carpet, calmly peeling an apple.
I lifted my gaze slowly.
"Correct."
My immediate admission left him speechless.
I popped a slice of apple into my mouth.
"She wanted a yacht. I gave her a submarine. She should be grateful for such a grand gift."
"You—!"
Liam trembled with fury, raising his hand to strike me.
With a flick of my wrist, the knife in my hand pointed straight at his pupil.
"Try it."
My gaze was glacial.
The madness in my eyes froze him mid-motion. His hand hovered uselessly before dropping.
"Lunatic! You're completely insane!"
He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Our parents soon entered one after another.
Father delivered his verdict without hesitation.
"One month of house arrest. All credit cards frozen. You don't leave this house without my permission!"
Mother sat on the edge of my bed, eyes red-rimmed.
"Stella, I know you suffered out there... But you can't do this... Luna is your sister. She's innocent..."
I cut her off coldly.
"She's not my sister."
I met her gaze, enunciating every word.
"She's a cuckoo in the nest, trying to push the rightful owner to ruin."
Mother paled instantly, lips trembling soundlessly.
She never imagined her long-lost daughter would use such venomous words for the girl she'd raised with love.
She fled the room in distress.
I resumed peeling the apple.
The blade scraped against the fruit's skin in crisp, rhythmic strokes.
The sound was oddly satisfying.