Falling For The True Heiress

I turned and walked back toward my room.

The hallway felt longer than usual.

I dragged my feet across the floor, each step heavier than the one before. My mind was crowded with thoughts, and I couldn’t seem to push any of them away.

One thought came after another. Each one hurting more than the last.

The hallway was strangely quiet. Maybe it had always been this quiet, but right now, everything felt different.

I finally reached my room and pushed the door open.

I stepped inside and closed it behind me before leaning against it.

I took a deep breath, but it didn’t help.

Who was that?

I was supposed to be the only one who heard Sylvia say those words.

The only one.

So why was she saying them so casually to someone else?

My chest tightened.

Was our relationship casual to her too?

Was I just another person she could say those words to, make feel special, and then move on from?

Then why was she making me fall deeper in love with her?

Why did she make me feel like I was the only person in her world when maybe I wasn’t?

Tears slipped down my cheeks before I could stop them.

I quickly wiped them away.

I wasn’t supposed to cry. I shouldn’t even be this upset.

But I was.

Because I wanted Sylvia.

I wanted her to myself. I wanted to be the only person she looked at that way.

The only person she wanted. The only person who could make her feel loved.

I wanted to be the one who made her lose control, the one she came back to every time.

Maybe I was being selfish.

Maybe I was asking for too much.

But I didn’t know how to love her halfway anymore. I had already fallen too deeply.

Another tear rolled down my cheek.

I wiped it away and whispered, "Why do you have to make me love you this much, Sylvia?"

Or am I that bad in bed that she needed someone else to satisfy her more than me?

Or—

I ran my fingers roughly through my hair, breathing heavily as tears blurred my vision. I quickly wiped them away with the back of my hand, but more kept falling.

I pushed the door shut hard enough that it vibrated against the frame.

I walked toward the sofa and dropped onto it, letting out a long, frustrated groan.

Why?

Why am I not enough for her?

I covered my face with both hands and frowned, my chest tightening with every breath.

Am I not beautiful enough anymore?

The thought hurt more than I wanted to admit.

I immediately stood up and walked toward my dressing table. I sat down in front of the mirror and stared at my reflection.

For a moment, I didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me.

My eyes were red from crying. My cheeks were damp, and a few strands of hair had fallen messily around my face.

I reached up and pulled off the face mask I had forgotten I was still wearing.

I stared at it in my hand for a second before throwing it into the bin.

Then I ran my fingers slowly across my face, studying my reflection.

I turned my head slightly from side to side.

I was still me.

Still beautiful.

Still the same woman Sylvia had once looked at like I was the only person in the room.

I nodded slowly.

"I’m still beautiful."

My voice came out quiet and shaky.

"What’s wrong with Sylvia?"

I stared at myself for another few seconds before my eyes shifted toward the bedroom door.

My heart tightened again.

What had happened between us?

And why did I suddenly feel like I was the one who wasn’t enough?

"Fine. Let me remind you who you fell in love with," I said, already reaching for my makeup.

I wiped the last traces of tears from beneath my eyes and picked up my makeup sponge.

I started with a light layer of foundation, blending it gently across my cheeks, forehead, and jaw until it settled smoothly into my skin. I added a little concealer beneath my eyes, carefully covering the redness left behind by all the crying.

I dusted a soft powder over my face, then picked up my blush and brushed it lightly across my cheeks. The color slowly brought warmth back to my face.

Next came my eyebrows. I filled them in neatly, following their natural shape before brushing them through until they looked soft and clean.

I reached for a neutral eyeshadow and swept it across my eyelids, blending the edges until there were no harsh lines. A thin line of eyeliner followed, then a few coats of mascara that made my lashes look fuller.

Finally, I picked up my favorite lipstick.

I carefully traced it over my lips before pressing them together.

I leaned closer to the mirror and stared at my reflection.

The woman staring back at me looked different now.

Not because the makeup had changed who I was. It simply reminded me of the woman I had almost forgotten beneath all those tears.

I tilted my head from side to side, checking the finished look. My skin looked smooth. My eyes were brighter. My lips had a soft shine.

I smiled at my reflection. "There you are."

I picked up my hairbrush and slowly ran it through my hair, smoothing out the strands before letting them fall naturally around my shoulders.

I took one last look in the mirror.

I was still beautiful.

And this time, I believed it.

"Let me remind Sylvia exactly who she fell in love with."

The door opened without a knock.

"Babe," Sylvia called as she walked toward my bed.

I turned to look at her.

She stopped.

Her eyes moved over my face, and for a second, she looked completely stunned.

Then she burst out laughing.

"Babe, what are you doing?" she asked between laughs.

I frowned at her and turned back toward the mirror.

I looked at my reflection before looking at her again.

"Are you trying to say I’m ugly?" I asked slowly.

Sylvia shook her head, still laughing.

"No. Why are you wearing makeup this late?"

I immediately looked away.

Because of you. Can’t you see that?

I let out a quiet sigh.

Sylvia walked closer, her laughter slowly fading into a smile.

"Babe, talk to me."

She stopped beside me and crouched down until we were at the same level.

I looked at her with a small pout.

"Do you still love me?"

Her smile disappeared and she frowned slightly. "Why would you ask me that?"

"Answer me first."

She didn’t hesitate. "I do, Minnie. I love you."

She reached for my hand and gently squeezed it. "If there’s something greater than love, then I’ll use it to love you with."

I felt the tightness in my chest ease. A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips, and I nodded.

"But why did you ask me that?" she asked, tilting her head.

I looked away. My fingers played nervously with the edge of my shirt as I bit the inside of my cheek.

I didn’t know how to tell her.

"Nothing," I finally whispered. "I just wanted to know."

Sylvia stared at me for a moment. Then one corner of her mouth lifted.

"You know you’re terrible at lying, right?"

"You..."

I turned toward her immediately.

She only shrugged, looking far too pleased with herself.

I sighed. "Fine."

I lowered my eyes. "I heard you telling someone else that you love them."

The words came out quietly. The room suddenly felt still.

I could feel Sylvia looking at me. She didn’t laugh this time. Instead, she moved closer and pressed a soft kiss against my cheek.

"Jealous?"

I turned to look at her. Her eyes were warm, and there was a teasing smile playing on her lips.

I frowned. "Maybe."

"Maybe?"

"Yes."

She smiled wider. "My baby is jealous."

"I’m not your baby."

"You are."

I rolled my eyes, but the corner of my mouth betrayed me.

Sylvia gently touched my cheek, her thumb brushing over the warmth there. "You don’t have to be jealous, Minnie."

I looked into her eyes. "Why?"

"Because I know who I love."

Her voice was soft, but certain. "You."

My heart gave a small thump.

"Only me?"

"Only you."

I stared at her for a moment before finally smiling.

"Good."

Sylvia chuckled. "That’s all you have to say?"

I nodded. "Yes. That’s all."

She shook her head, smiling as she pulled me into a gentle hug.

I rested my head against her shoulder, finally letting myself relax.

Maybe I had been overthinking everything.

Maybe all I needed was to hear those words from her.

I love you.

And for now, that was enough.

"But who was that you were talking to?" I asked, suddenly feeling embarrassed. I hoped she wouldn’t think I was being too intrusive.

She paused for a second before answering.

"That’s my brother."

I froze.

I pulled away slowly, from her and stared at her.

"Your... brother?"

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!