Flora had married Oscar right after college. They were the perfect couple, a true love story. But then, tragically, she had died in childbirth, taking her baby with her. At the funeral, Oscar had copsed from grief multiple times, vowing he would never remarry. His devotion had moved countless people to tears.


    But time, Yvonne thought, was a remarkable thing. It could dull any memory, soothe any pain.


    Seven years after Flora''s death, Oscar had another woman by his side.


    Yvonne looked at him, her expression cold. She would never be able to call him "brother-inw" again.


    "Oscar," Queena chirped, her voice dripping with sweetness, "today is my and Yvonne''s birthday. What gift did you get for her?"


    "My secretary picked it out. I''m not entirely sure what it is," Oscar replied, his gaze flicking briefly to Yvonne before moving on, his tone polite but distant. As the heir to a top family, he knew how to maintain a careful distance.


    Queena''s smile widened. She ran a hand over the ne she was wearing.


    “Queena, that ne is gorgeous! Was it a gift from Mr. Rogers?" someone asked, ying their part perfectly. There was no shortage of people eager to tter the future Mrs. Rogers.


    “Oscar bought it for me at an auction specifically for my birthday,” Queena announced, practically glowing with pride.


    "Mr. Rogers and Queena are so in love. It''s truly enviable."


    “Queena, you''re so lucky! When you''re the mistress of the Rogers family, don''t forget about us!"


    "They''re both Spencer daughters, but the real one can''t hold a candle to Queena. No wonder no one likes her."


    Thepliments for Queena continued, some even taking jabs at Yvonne to curry favor.


    Yvonne let out a soft, coldugh.


    "Ms. Spencer is indeed enviable," she said, her voice dripping with


    sarcasm. "Atst year''s birthday?


    party, she received a


    multimillion-dor ne fro Mr. Gonzalez Now that the Gonzalez family has gone bust, it''s so wonderful she found a recement so quickly. Truly, congrattions are in order."


    A sudden, sharp silence fell over the room.


    Last year''s party had been just as grand, and no one had forgotten how inseparable Queena and Matthew had been. Now, every eye in the room darted to Oscar, whose smile had frozen on his face to was as if they could all see the shadow of another man hanging over him.


    Ignoring the thunderous expressions on both Oscar and Queena''s faces, Yvonne turned and walked out of the vi, the click of her heels echoing in the sudden quiet. The noise and chatter inside were giving her a headache.


    She found a quiet spot in the garden and sat down, enjoying the evening air. But her peace was short-lived.


    "Yvonne." Matthew was standing in front of her, his eyes burning with intensity.


    His hair was perfectly styled, a clear sign he''d made an effort to look presentable: But his Armani suit wasst year''s model, and it looked. slightly worn. Life had clearly been hard for him since hispany''s copse. He hadn''t even received an invitation to the party and had been waiting outside, hoping for a chance to see her.


    "Yvonne, happy birthday," he said, fumbling in his jacket pocket. He pulled out a small, elegant box and held it out to her.


    Yvonne nced at the box but made no move to take it.


    "You must have the wrong person," she said, her voiceced with mockery. "Shouldn''t you be giving this to your first love, Queena?"