The Perfect Revenge

My sister had a habit of taking everything that was mine. So when I brought my boyfriend home, a knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach.
Sure enough, it wasn’t long before I caught them together at our engagement party, tangled in a passionate embrace.
A double betrayal, from my lover and my own blood. Everyone waited for me to shatter.
But standing outside that door, I couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.
No one knew that this was all part of my meticulous plan.
From this moment on, her fiancé, Kyle Hayward, was mine for the taking.

1
My parents struggled to conceive, so they adopted Cici from an orphanage. Six months after she came to live with us, my mother became pregnant with me.
Everyone said Cici was our family’s lucky star, that her arrival brought the good fortune that led to my birth.
And so, I was taught I had to thank my sister.
Cici, who should have been the sole focus of their affection, suddenly had to share their love with me, and she couldn’t accept it. My parents, driven by a mixture of gratitude and guilt, taught me from a young age that I had to give in to my sister in everything.
From childhood to now.
From the smallest snacks to the warmth of our parents' attention.
Whatever she wanted, I had to surrender it without question.
Today was Cici’s twenty-fifth birthday.
My mother woke at dawn, heading to the market with our housekeeper to buy all of Cici's favorite foods, determined to cook her a feast.
When I got home, Mom was buzzing with excitement in the kitchen while Dad meticulously arranged a birthday surprise in the dining room.
The scene made my chest ache. It was a familiar sight, one that played out every year, but never for me.
It was because on my sixth birthday, Cici, in a fit of rage, had smashed my cake to the floor, screaming that because of me, Mom and Dad didn't love her anymore.
She threw a tantrum that shook the house, declaring that if I was here, she wouldn't be.
To appease her, from that day on, my birthday was never celebrated again.
Because, as my mother told me, a peaceful home was everything. I had to be the sensible one. I had to let my sister have her way.
Half an hour later, Cici swept in, laden with shopping bags. Mom immediately rushed to her, covering her eyes and leading her to the dining table. Dad smoothly pushed the cake in front of her.
"Happy birthday, sweetheart! Make a wish and blow out the candles! Your father and I have a huge gift for you!"
Cici dutifully blew out the candles, then wrapped her arms around Mom. "Mom, what did you and Dad get me? I’m dying to know!"
"You're just as impatient as you were when you were little," Mom said, tapping her forehead affectionately. She then produced a stack of documents from behind her back. "This is a share transfer agreement. Your father and I have decided to give you ten percent of Sterling Corp."
"Mom!" Cici gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
"You're a grown woman now," Dad added. "It's time you came into the company and learned the ropes. Sterling Corp will be yours one day, after all."
My hand, holding a fork, began to tremble.
Cici and I had walked two completely different paths. Her grades were always mediocre; her passions were fashion, parties, and travel. My parents paid a fortune to send her abroad to study art, where she barely scraped by with a degree.
I, on the other hand, knew from a young age they didn't value me. To secure my place in this family, I knew I had to gain control of the company. So I studied relentlessly, earning a place at a top-tier university for business management. I was then accepted into Yale for my master's.
I thought…
I thought that after all my hard work, they would entrust the company to me.
A clatter broke the silence as my fork slipped from my fingers and hit the floor.

2
Three pairs of eyes snapped towards me.
I composed myself, stood up, and met my father’s gaze.
"Mom, Dad… what about me?"
They seemed stunned that their quiet, obedient daughter would choose this moment to speak up. An awkward silence hung in the air before my mother finally walked over to me. "Claire, you're still young. Just focus on your studies. Your sister and father will handle the company. You just worry about school."
Her meaning was crystal clear.
Years of tireless effort had just become a punchline.
A bitter smile touched my lips. I pushed past her and went upstairs to my room.
The unfairness of it all washed over me, and I buried my face in my pillow and sobbed. Twenty-two years, and I still felt like an outsider in my own home. Why did I always have to be the one to back down for Cici’s sake? Why did no one ever care about my feelings? Did the quiet child in the family just deserve to be treated unfairly?
I cried myself to sleep. When I woke, it was the middle of the night.
Thirsty, I took my glass to the kitchen for water. As I passed my parents' room, I heard my mother's voice.
"The Hayward heir is back in the country. He’s supposed to be at the gala tomorrow. Mrs. Hayward told me to bring the girls."
My heart skipped a beat.
The Hayward heir? Kyle Hayward?
He was a senior when I was in high school, a legend everyone knew. Handsome, brilliant, with a legion of admirers, yet completely untouched by scandal.
Last year, outside the university gates, my bag was open and a thief snatched my wallet. He happened to be walking by and, without a second thought, chased the thief down and got it back for me.
That's when I learned we were both at Yale.
And that was the day a heart I’d long kept guarded began to beat again.
The next morning, I woke unusually early and took great care with my appearance. I had decided that after a lifetime of giving in, this time, I was going to fight for what I wanted.
When I came downstairs, Mom was already at the breakfast table. Surprise flickered in her eyes when she saw me.
"Claire, come eat," she said, gesturing to a chair.
I nodded and sat down. We ate in a mutually agreed-upon silence, the previous day's events left unspoken.
Halfway through the meal, I gathered my courage. "Mom, are you going to the Hayward's gala today?"
She paused, looking at me with a hint of confusion. "Yes, I am."
I clenched my fists under the table. "Could I possibly..."
"Mom, I'm ready. Let's go."
Cici descended the stairs, dressed in an exquisite evening gown.
I froze.
My mother stood, grabbing her purse. "I'm taking Cici to the gala today. The driver is waiting, so we'll be off."
Without another glance at me, she took Cici's arm and walked out the door.
I remained rooted to the spot, feeling as though a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head. My stomach churned. I looked down at my own carefully chosen dress.
Claire Sterling, you're a fool.
My phone buzzed. A reminder for a dental appointment I'd scheduled. My wisdom tooth was acting up, and a friend had recommended her dentist. He was supposedly impossible to book, but somehow, I'd gotten an appointment on my first try.

3
By the time I returned from the dentist, my mother and Cici were already home. The moment I walked in, Mom grabbed my arm excitedly, pointing at a necklace around Cici's neck. "Claire, look! Isn't your sister's necklace beautiful?"
It was a stunning piece. Even I, with no knowledge of jewelry, could tell it was incredibly expensive.
"It's beautiful," I said, nodding numbly.
Cici shot me a smug look. "Of course it is! It's a gift from Mrs. Hayward!" she gloated. "Mom took me to the gala, and the Haywards just loved me. You know their son, Kyle Hayward? I heard he goes to the same school as you. Do you know him? What's he like?"
At the mention of his name, a jolt of anxiety shot through me. "I don't know him," I replied quickly.
She smirked. "I figured. I hear he's very aloof. Not just anyone can get close to him." She preened. "But Mrs. Hayward adored me, so he agreed to go on a date."
"Cici is so charming, I'm sure Kyle will fall for you," Mom added enthusiastically. "You have to dress up for your date… I’ll take you shopping tomorrow…"
She led Cici to the sofa, and the two of them began planning excitedly, completely forgetting I was there. I stood frozen, my feet feeling as if they were encased in lead.
Back in my room, a message popped up on my phone.
"Miss Sterling, remember to apply the ice pack as directed."
It was from Leo Vance, the dentist. After meeting him, I understood why he was so popular. Young, single, and devastatingly handsome—it was no wonder people were clamoring for an appointment.
"Okay."
"The swelling should be down in three days. You can come in then to have the tooth removed."
"Okay."
"Rest well. See you in three days."
I thought he was supposed to be aloof, I mused. Why is he messaging me so much?
I put my phone down and ignored it.
Three days later, I went back to the clinic. My appointment was the last of the day, and by the time I was done, it was getting dark. Leo, now in his street clothes, handed me a fresh ice pack.
"How are you getting home?"
"I'll get a rideshare," I said, glancing outside. "My car's restricted today."
He smiled. "Let me give you a ride."
I was about to refuse when his phone rang. He stepped outside to take the call, returning a minute later with his bag. "Ready?"
It felt rude to refuse again, so I followed him to the parking garage.
During the drive, he was incredibly thoughtful, giving me aftercare instructions and effortlessly making conversation. In that half-hour drive, he told me about his family and his life.
After he pulled up to my house, he turned to me. "Claire," he asked suddenly, "what do you think of me?"
My mind went blank. I was trying to figure out a polite way to turn him down when two familiar figures appeared at the end of my driveway.
It was Cici and Kyle.
They were standing face-to-face. Cici was talking animatedly, but Kyle seemed unresponsive. Then, Cici stood on her toes and kissed him.
It happened so fast.
On pure instinct, I threw open the car door and shouted across the lawn, "Cici!"
They both turned.

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