Chapter 3%
Queenie took one look at my mom and immediately scrunched up her face like she had smelled something awful. Then she waltzed over to the couch, sat down like a queen, crossed her legs and threw her hair over her shoulder.
“So you’re the bitch, huh?” she sneered. “Go on then, bring your daughter over, bow to me and pour me a drink. If you show a little respect, maybe I’ll be nice enough to acknowledge you both. I’ll take my mom’s place and accept you. How about that?”
She smirked, clearly enjoying herself. “One word from me and your comfy little life stays untouched. But if you cross me? I’ll tell my dad to cut you off in a heartbeat. Don’t forget who’s legit here, my mom and I. You two? You’re just the side story.”
Her voice turned sharper, colder. “All that money you’ve been spending? Half of it legally belongs to my mom. If we really wanted to go after you, we could make you pay it all back. And when that happens, you won’t just be kicked out of this place, you’ll be sent off to who–knows–where to work it off. Maybe overseas. Maybe worse.”
My mom just stood there, stunned. For a second, it looked like she thought Queenie was joking. “What… is this? Are you rehearsing for a drama club or something?” she asked, half–laughing.
I quickly pulled her aside and explained what was going on. Her face dropped. Just like me, she had no idea my dad had been cheating, let alone that there was a whole other daughter in the picture.”
But my mom had always been good at keeping her cool. Even now, with her world crumbling a little, she managed to pull herself together. That grace she carried, the kind that came from being raised in a powerful family, kicked in.
She turned to everyone and smiled like nothing was wrong. “There’s been a mix–up. They just happen to look alike, that’s all. Yesenia’s father and I are married legally. I’m not anyone’s mistress and neither is my daughter.“>
Her calm voice and collected manner instantly shifted the atmosphere. The classmates who had been gossiping looked at each other
awkwardly.
“Yeah… could be a mistake,” someone muttered.}
“Right, like, people can look really similar. Doesn’t mean they’re related or anything.”
“I once got told I look like a girl on TV. Happens.“}
“Just look at Yesenia and her mom,” someone muttered. “They’re calm, polite and honestly… kinda classy. They don’t seem like the type to be involved in some messy affair. You really shouldn’t throw accusations like that.“@
“Right?” another classmate said. “It’s Yesenia’s birthday, for crying out loud. You show up out of nowhere and start yelling like this is some soap opera. Chill out.”
Queenie clearly didn’t expect this. Her face twisted in frustration as she looked around at everyone. “Are you all stupid? My dad is Salvatore Santiago, he owns Luminate Group! These two have been living it up with my dad’s money, pretending to be all graceful and innocent.”
But even after her outburst, no one really reacted the way she wanted. A few people shifted uncomfortably, but no one backed her up. That just made her more furious.
“You’re unbelievable,” she snapped at me. “How long have you been mooching off my father, huh? You probably seduced him, just like your whore mom and now you’re sitting pretty in this fancy house!“}
That was it. I took a deep breath and pointed at the door. “I’ve told you already, your dad and my dad are not the same person. Leave. You’re not welcome here.”
Queenie stomped to the door, then suddenly grabbed one of the housekeepers passing by. “Hey! You–what’s the name of the man who owns this place?”
The poor servant looked startled, caught completely off guard. Before my mom or I could stop her, she answered blankly, “Uh… Mr. Salvatore Santiago?“%
Queenie lit up like she’d just scored the winning point. “There!,You hear that? Still wanna deny it? What, your dad just happens to look exactly like mine and also has the same name? What are the chances, huh?“}
