Danielle's POV
The wedding preparations started in earnest, with flower decorations arriving in huge trucks and expensive ornaments being carefully unloaded. This wasn't just any wedding; it was touted as the wedding of the century, the kind of grand affair people would talk about for years to come.
My name is Danielle Baker, the second daughter of the Baker family. I sighed as one of the workers roughly shoved me aside, not even bothering to apologize. He glanced over his shoulder, sneering as if I were in the way on purpose.
This was my life: always in the way, always an afterthought. My mother had been the second wife of Mr. Baker, the man I'm supposedly meant to call my dad. He had been expecting a son but instead got me. To him, I was a mistake, a disappointment, and a constant reminder of what he didn't get. Uncalled for and useless in the family—that's how I felt every single day.
Across the room, my elder sister, the bride-to-be, was showing off her latest designer gown to an admiring crowd of friends and family. The dress was exquisite, shimmering under the crystal chandeliers, and her face was glowing with happiness. I couldn't help but smile at her joy; I loved seeing her happy. But she never wanted to see as much as a hint of a smile on my face. Any joy I showed seemed to irritate her, as if my happiness was a ploy to take her position.
"Hey, you skunk! Don't just stand around, get to work!" My stepmother's voice rang out, sharp and grating, cutting through the noise made from the activity around us. She looked at me with pure, undisguised disgust as she dumped a basketful of onions into my arms. The weight of the basket made me wince, a sharp pain shooting through my arms, but I nodded and watched her leave, her heels clicking against the polished floor.
I turned towards the kitchen, trying to steady the basket in my arms, when I heard a voice behind me. "Here, let me help you." It was Jai, always so helpful and kind. He took the basket from me with ease, his touch gentle, and I felt a small smile tug at my lips.
"Thanks," I murmured, following him to the kitchen. He set the basket down on the counter and started peeling the onions, his hands moving quickly and efficiently.
"I heard your sister's betrothed will be flying over today," Jai said casually as he washed the onions.
I nodded slightly, my brown hair falling across my face.
Jai dried his hands and came to stand behind me. "Here," he said softly. He began to braid my hair, his fingers working through the long strands that reached down to my waist. The simple, tender act brought a warmth to my heart, Jai and few of the other servants were the only ones that were nice to me. "Thank you," I said.
"Come on, no need to be so formal, you know," Jai replied, a playful note in his voice. He jabbed me gently in the ribs, and I couldn't help but laugh, the sound bubbling over. I playfully smacked him on the shoulder, and he grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
This guy was super annoying and yet fun to be with. He always found a way to make me smile. "But he wouldn't be here, they'll be meeting over at a high-end restaurant," I reminded him as I grabbed the spinach and made quick work of it.
Jai nodded thoughtfully at what I said, his eyes distant as he mulled over his thoughts. "She's scared you'll steal her man from her," he finally said, turning to the oven and carefully placing the spiced apple pie inside.
"What?!" I looked up incredulously, my eyes wide with shock. The very idea seemed absurd to me.
"You're going to get us in trouble!" I hissed, lowering my voice to a whisper. We both knew how risky it was to speak openly in this house, especially about my sister and her fiancé. We weren't even meant to be heard talking!
"You think I'd stoop so low as to take her fiancé from her?" I asked, a mixture of disbelief and hurt in my voice.
"No, not that," Jai said, shaking his head. "Any man in his right senses would pick you over your sister. You're one hell of an artwork." He whistled softly, his eyes scanning me from head to toe in a way that made me blush.
"Silly child!" I giggled, unable to suppress the laughter that came out. Despite the compliment, I couldn't see myself as beautiful. Years of being treated as an object, of being made to feel invisible and unwanted, had already taken a toll.
Evening came faster than usual that day. I was in the garden, tending to the flowers, the earthy scent of soil and blooming petals filling the air. The garden was my sanctuary, basically the only place where I could find a tiny bit of peace.
"Danielle!" My name echoed across the yard, jolting me from my thoughts. I wiped my hands on my dress, leaving smudges of mud on the faded fabric, and hurried inside to the living room.
"Yes, ma'am?" I said, standing straight, my head bowed low.
"Take these gifts and drop them in your sister's room!" My stepmother barked, flicking her wrist dismissively toward a stack of beautifully wrapped boxes. I bowed respectfully and reached out to carry the gifts when my hand was smacked away roughly. I looked up, meeting the wicked glint in Ashley's eyes as she used a finger to lift my chin.
"Those boxes hold precious gifts you wouldn't even be able to afford in the next ten years. So I don't want a single scratch on them. They're specially brought by my sweet fiancé," she said, her voice dripping with degradation to me. She cradled her chest and looked up dreamily, lost in thoughts of her soon-to-be husband. This man must be super hot to have such an effect on my sister.
"Go to your room after that until you're called," Claire, my stepmother, said coldly as she pulled Ashley away from me as if I were a plague. The disdain in her eyes was unmistakable.
I nodded and carefully lifted the boxes, their weight a sharp reminder of my place in this household. As I carried them to Ashley's room, I couldn't help but feel the familiar sting of resentment and sadness. These gifts, these tokens of love and admiration, were things I had never experienced.
After placing the boxes delicately on Ashley's ornate vanity, I retreated to my small, sparsely furnished room. The walls, once a pale blue, were now faded and peeling, much like my heart. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring out the window at the darkening sky.
The fact that my father was further enraged when he found out I was an Omega only deepened my sense of worthlessness. In a family of strong, dominant wolves, I was just a weak Omega, the lowest rank, hardly worthy of notice. He didn't even bat an eyelash at my unfair treatment, turning a blind eye to the cruelty I endured each day.
My mother had died giving birth to me, and her absence was a huge void in my life. With her gone, I had no one to turn to, no one to shield me from the harshness of this curse I call life. I laid down on my small, hard bed, the worn-out sheets a stark contrast to the luxurious linens my sister enjoyed. As I closed my eyes, exhaustion overtook me.
As I drifted off, I found myself imagining a different life—a life where I was valued and loved, where my mother was still alive, and where my father's eyes held pride instead of disappointment. In my dreams, I was not an Omega, but a strong, confident wolf, respected and cherished by those around me.
But as comforting as these dreams were, I knew they were just that: dreams. The reality I woke up to each day was far from the wonderful life I had in Dreamland.
I still had to wake up later around nine.
Tonight is the night before Ashley's wedding. Her girlfriends called me to serve at her bachelorette party. The place was adorned with pink balloons, glittering streamers, and shimmering fairy lights, giving it a princess-like feeling.
"Isn't this your younger sister, Ash?" a lady in white asked as she helped me with a tray of drinks.
"Stepsister, Diane. No need to help her, she's just a helper!" Ashley's words sliced through me.
Ashley grabbed a glass of wine, yanking it so forcefully that it spilled over my head. The room erupted in laughter, mocking me.
"That's not fair, Ash!" Diane spoke up for me, her voice firm. She held me tenderly as Ashley turned away, her laughter blending with the others.
"Come, let's get you cleaned up," Diane said, guiding me away. She led me to a small, luxurious bathroom. The noise from the party faded, replaced by my harsh tears.
Diane helped me sit on the edge of the marble sink, dabbing at the wine stains in my hair. Her movements were tender, almost maternal, and I felt a strange comfort in her care. It only increased my tears as I had never felt so much love before, aside from Jai.
"Thank you," I whispered.
"Don't mention it," she replied softly. "No one deserves to be treated like that, especially not by family."
"Your eyes," she murmured. "They're like bright green emeralds. You're so beautiful."
Heat rushed to my cheeks. "Thank you," I mumbled, uncomfortable with the compliment.
"Why do you always keep your head down?" Diane asked gently.
"Ashley told me never to raise my head," I confessed. "The last time I disobeyed her, her boyfriend left her and came after me. In her anger, she cut my hair."
Diane's eyes widened in shock. "That's horrible! How could she do that to you?"
"She hates me," I said, my voice cracking. "Ever since we became stepsisters, she's made my life a living hell."
"You do matter, Danielle. You're a person with feelings and worth. Don't let her convince you otherwise."
Her words touched something deep inside me, a place that had been battered and bruised for years. I felt tears of relief, not humiliation.
Diane finished cleaning me up and handed me a dry towel. "Here, dry off. You don't have to go back out there if you don't want to."
"I think I'll stay here for a bit," I said quietly.
"That's perfectly fine," she replied, offering a kind smile. "Take all the time you need."
When I emerged from the bathroom, the party was still in full swing. I avoided the main room, slipping out to the backyard where the night air was cool and refreshing. I found a quiet spot under a tree and sat down, hugging my knees to my chest.
I heard footsteps approaching. Diane came toward me with a gentle smile. "Mind if I join you?"
I gestured for her to sit next to me. We sat in comfortable silence, watching the stars together.
"You have a lot of strength, Danielle," Diane said after a while. "To endure everything you " Diane said after a while. "To endure everything you have and still be standing... that takes real courage."
"Do you really think so?"
"I do. And I think it's time you started believing in yourself too."