TEASER

June Watson couldn't help but grin as he caught sight of the person making their way towards their home. He released his grip on the curtain and carefully positioned it to block out the sun's scorching rays from getting inside their living room. Their house was too small for them, but anyway, time was running out for them to stay in this stinky place, for their reality was on the brink of transformation.

"Alright. Saoirse is here," June was the father of the Watson family.

Anxiousness clouded Samara's expression. She was the second daughter of June and Belle.

The couple had three children: Saoirse, the eldest. Samara, who was adored by everyone. And Sawyer, the only son of the Watson family.

Their life was filled with hardships. No, it's not just hardships. The word "challenging" couldn't fully describe the kind of life they led. They were in a poor situation, far worse off than even the most unfortunate creatures. They don’t have so much things in their house. June and Belle struggled to find a way to provide an education for their three children. The couple also didn’t finish their studies. So, from then until now, their way of life remained unchanged.

"I'm feeling a bit anxious, mama. What if she tried to hurt me?" Samara lamented to her parents.

Sawyer wasted no time in coming to the defense of his older sister. "You’re nuts to think that way, Samara! You knew that Saoirse was never a bad woman. She's the most understanding person I've ever known.” He stood his ground.

Annoyed by her little brother’s words, Samara couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Oh come on, I know you always sided with her. You see her as saintly, Sawyer!” She responded with irritation.

So Belle has no choice but to step in. "Hey, you two. Can you please stop acting like kids? Jesus! Are you seriously going to argue about such a simple thing?”

She gazed upon her daughter. "You're acting quite foolishly. Really? Scared of your sister? What's the big deal if she gets angry? She's completely useless anyway!” she said, cackling like an evil stepmother.

Seeing their mother's confident laughter, Samara Watson couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Her mother was right! Her sister is powerless. What can her weak sister can do, anyway?

Everyone noticed Saoirse's rustling and footsteps at the door. Samara's heart raced with anticipation. Finally, the long-awaited day has come!

The cheap wood door swung open. The Watson family noticed Saoirse was soaking in sweat. All over her face and body, it is too obvious that she had been exposed to the sun for long hours. She was lugging around bags filled with food. Her hair was disheveled as if she didn't even have time to comb it. She’s wearing a plain blouse and their mother’s old skirt. Saoirse's weary expression and worn-out appearance are surely because of the activities and jobs she had faced throughout the day. However, the lady still managed to face her family with a warm and genuine smile.

"Mom, dad, wow, you're here. What's going on? I can’t remember when was the last time we were all together in the house? Well, it's good timing. I brought food. I'll set the table, and we can enjoy this together," she said with enthusiasm as if she hadn't just come from a long day at work.

Samara couldn't deny the fact that her older sister was her total opposite. Despite her sister’s humble appearance, Saoirse possessed a natural beauty and effortless elegance. Samara had never heard her sister utter a single rant about their poor life. And because of this, she harbored a deep resentment towards her older sister.

Anger? Perhaps not. Samara didn't just have negative emotions towards her big sister. There was an intense fury within her, a perplexing resentment towards Saoirse.

"What? Disgusting! We have no appetite to eat the food you've brought. I suspect you just got that from the streets. A random vendor. I'm unsure about its cleanliness. And for sure, that’s not tasty as well! Starting today, we will no longer eat street foods. We’re not on that kind of level anymore," Belle Watson said with an air of superiority.

They all witnessed the surprise that flashed across Saoirse's face. She didn’t see this coming. Samara grinned mischievously. Sawyer maintained expressionless.

"Mama? What are you saying? What's going on?" Saoirse asked, her voice filled with confusion.

"Everyone, take a seat. There's something important we have to tell," June Watson started with a serious tone.

She didn’t say a word but followed her father obediently and sat on a cheap wooden sofa. She appeared perplexed, her face reflecting a bewildered expression. Everybody also sat down.

June looked at his son. "Sawyer, now. Let him in," He commanded like a King.

Sawyer didn’t like the idea of what was about to happen, but he was just a kid and had no other options. He took out a weary sigh and followed their father’s order despite his reluctance.

The young boy opened their parent’s room. Samara held her breath, her heart skipped a beat as she laid eyes on Justin, the man of her dreams. He was always her dream.

Meanwhile, Saoirse didn’t expect this, so she was completely taken aback. "Justin? What brings you here?”

Justin was Saoirse's long-time boyfriend, whom Samara secretly loved. Samara had feelings for Justin for a long time.

Their father responded to her questions about her boyfriend. "Justin is here because he has something important to tell us, to you,"

Samara anxiously held her breath, her eyes fixed on Justin's approach towards their parents. He was amazingly handsome, smart, and ambitious. He was the person she had always adored and dreamed of. For her, he was perfect. Samara despised the fact that her older sister was dating him, but she no longer felt the need to hide her frustration. Because on this day, she had the ultimate victory!

"Justin, wait, what are you doing here? Are you trying to give me a surprise visit?” Saoirse asked, a playful smile gracing her lips.

Samara's ears rang at what she heard. "Of course not, you bitch! He's here because of me!" Samara screamed to herself. But she couldn't bring herself to speak. Not yet.

Justin bent down and was looking for something from his pocket. Saoirse couldn’t help but let out a surprised breath. Her eyes gleamed like a bright diamond. An idea is starting to form within her thoughts.

Samara and Belle exchanged glances. They both grinned at what was about to happen.

Justin took out a small box from his pocket and opened it. A sparkling diamond ring.

"Oh my God!" Saoirse exclaimed, she unconsciously put her fingers on her mouth. Her eyes welled up with overwhelming joy.

"Go ahead, celebrate, Saoirse! Let's see if this room won't be filled with your tears today!" Samara's subconscious mind uttered like evil.

Saoirse's eyes sparkled with hope and happiness. Her long-time boyfriend for 12 years was on the verge of proposing to her!

"Uncle June, Auntie Belle, I know this is out of the blue. But I am facing my fears and I’m kneeling in front of you today to declare my desire to marry your daughter… Samara," Justin proudly announced to the Watson family.

Saoirse's jaw literally dropped at what she heard. She trembled, unable to believe what she heard. "What on earth are you talking about, Justin? Y-You’re mistaken, right?”

Justin shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not mistaken, Saoirse. I’m sorry this has to happen. But, my feelings for you have changed. You're not the woman I want to be with anymore.”

Saoirse stood from her seat, tears streaming down her cheeks. "O-Okay! But why are you suddenly claiming that you'll marry my sister?" Her voice trembled.

Samara seized the moment. She’s dreaming of this scenario happening to life. "I’m sure you’re not dumb not to understand what he’s trying to say, Saoirse! Isn't it obvious? He wants to marry me, he loves me!” And she burst into uncontrollable laughter.

Saoirse's face was drenched with tears, one after another. "That's absolutely not true! You love me, right, Justin? We're a couple!” And she attempted to embrace her boyfriend.

But Samara was determined to prevent that from happening. She gently removed her sister's hand from Justin's arm and gently pushed her. Saoirse collapsed onto the wooden chair. "You're behind the times, Saoirse! Justin is tired of you, so it's time for a replacement. Bitch! And keep your hands off my boyfriend!”

“What? Are you losing your mind, Samara? Justin and I are in a relationship! We've been together for 12 years!” She let out a piercing scream, her neck veins visibly bulging.

"I've grown weary of our relationship for quite some time, Saoirse. I love Samara now," Justin said without a second thought.

Saoirse tightly clutched her boyfriend's arm once more. "B-But, Justin–"

Without warning, Belle delivered a strong slap to her daughter's face. "Can't you really grasp it, my stupid daughter? Justin is no longer yours! He loves your sister! And we’re agreeing to their marriage!”

Saoirse's face was marked by pain and betrayal. "Even you, mama? Are you really going to tolerate Samara? They betrayed me behind my back! Justin is mine!”

"No, he doesn't belong to you, my dear sister. Justin is mine now!” Samara gave her sister a firm slap. She had always fantasized hurting her big sister. Saoirse was the villain in her life!

Saoirse collapsed to the ground, overcome with overwhelming emotion. Sawyer sympathized with his older sister and attempted to console her, but their father threatened him. "Go ahead, give it a shot, Sawyer! You'll regret comforting her!”

Her young brother let out a deep sigh.

Saoirse desperately reached for Justin's legs, pleading. She looked like a child deprived of a good life. "P-Please, Justin. Don't do this to me. We love each other so much, don't we? We all have countless dreams, don't we?” She asked with tears streaming down her face.

"Don't touch me!" Justin quickly pulled away from her touch, as if he was trying to avoid something unpleasant. "Do you believe that realizing who you truly are doesn't change my love for you? You’re crazy if you think that way! I'm disgusted by you! No man will ever love you. You're a low-class woman!”

Belle intervened. "I'm getting impatient. I've had enough of this house. I can't stand it anymore! This nonsense conversation is over. Justin, we are in favor of you marrying Samara. We should leave soon to avoid being on the road too late,” Her mother snapped.

That's when Saoirse spotted the suitcases nearby. "W-What’s the meaning of this? Where are you all going?” She asked, panicking.

She suddenly realized that her family was all well-dressed as if they were about to go on a luxurious getaway.

June chuckled and replied to her daughter. "We're finally saying goodbye to this ugly and stinky house! Anyway, since Samara and Justin are getting married, from now on, we decided we'll be staying with him,"

Her face twisted into a frown. How could their family stay with Justin? Similar to their situation, Justin's family was also having a hard time financially. They also had to struggle to make ends meet, barely scraping by.

It seemed as though Saoirse's thoughts were an open book to everyone. Samara responded to her sister's perplexity.

Samara raised an eyebrow at her. “Oh, sorry, sis! We forgot to tell you. Justin struck it big and won the lottery! And now he's a millionaire. He’s freaking rich! Just so you know, he’s worth 20 million dollars now. That's why he no longer deserves a dirty woman like you. Okay, it's time for us to go. We're relocating to a huge and extravagant mansion. Don’t be sad, my dear sister. You can stay here forever, since you're not welcome in our new place.” Samara said haughtily, pulling her trolley.

Their parents remained unresponsive as they swiftly gathered their belongings. Sawyer gazed at her with a mixture of sympathy and sorrow in his eyes. However, he found himself unable to intervene, so he gathered his belongings as well.

"Please! D-Don't do this to me!” She begged.

Her family had already left the house, and Saoirse found herself on the floor, overwhelmed by a piercing pain in her chest. She cried in agony and despair as if her heart was being crushed.

Everyone had left, but her father stopped walking and spoke. "We no longer wish to have you in our lives. You understand? I don't want you to ruin Samara's promising future. We don't need you anymore, and if you intend to disrupt our lives? I will not hesitate to take action. I will kill you,” Her father's words were cold and with no sympathy as he finally left her alone in the house that had been a witness to how cruel her life was.