The mansion was no longer full of joy or comfort. Since Ethan left with Christiana, everything had gone quiet. The servants didn't meet Sophia's eyes, and her parents barely looked at her during dinner.
Sophia sat by herself in her room, looking at her face in the mirror.
Her eyes, which used to shine with hope, now looked empty. Her lips formed a smile, but no one believed it anymore. The success she had worked so hard for was gone, leaving only emptiness in its place.
"Why him?"
she asked the mirror. "Why didn't he pick me?"
Her door burst open.
Mr. Williams walked in, his face serious, his tone sharp. "Sophia, we need to talk."
She sat up straight, trying to act normal.
"Father?"
He moved slowly across the room.
"Your mom and I know the truth now. About the bracelet. About the lies. About the things you did to hurt Christiana."
Sophia's heart dropped.
"I...I was just trying to protect Ethan! I did everything for him!"
Mr. Williams's eyes hardened. "No. You did it for yourself. And in doing so, you've shamed the family and driven us apart. Your jealousy has poisoned this house."
Tears stung her eyes.
"But Father..."
"Enough!"
His voice thundered through the room. "From this day forward, you are stripped of privileges. No more lavish parties, no more wasting money. You will remain here until you learn humility."
Sophia's chest heaved as she sank to the floor.
For the first time, she realized she had lost everything, Ethan, her family's trust, even her own dignity.
That night, she stood by her window, watching the city lights in the distance.
Somewhere out there, Ethan and Christiana were together, starting anew. And she… she was trapped in the very cage she had built for herself.
Her whisper was faint, broken.
"Ethan… I only wanted you to see me."
But now, no one was watching.