As a young lady, Eclipse was always taught to speak kindly and never use bad words.
But now, she was just Eclipse Rocelyn of Star City. She had changed, and a little cursing felt... strangely satisfying.
Robert Jade's face stiffened, his expression turning hard, while Jessica Rocelyn, his fiancée, went pale, clutching his arm tightly.
Her wide eyes brimmed with tears, as she tried to apologize, her voice trembling. "Sister, I didn't mean to… I'm sorry… I didn't mean to let those photos get out..."
At the mention of the photos, Robert's disgust was clear.
He turned his gaze to Eclipse, his face twisted in contempt. "Jessica, stop apologizing. This is all her own doing."
Eclipse's lips curled into a cold smile. There wasn't even a hint of regret or sorrow on her face.
She stared at Robert, sneering, "What kind of man are you? You've fallen so low."
In Eclipse's eyes, Robert was beyond saving.
She used to like him so much, believing he was the one thing that would bring happiness into her dull, painful life.
But Robert, along with Jessica, who had ruined her family and caused her mother's death, had done nothing but tear apart her reputation—even taken her life.
She would not forgive them. She was determined to make them pay for what they'd done.
Robert's face grew red with anger. "You have no shame, Eclipse!"
Eclipse laughed, her voice sharp and mocking. "Maybe I don't. But at least I'm beautiful—way more beautiful than Jessica, the girl you're holding onto so tightly."
Jessica's delicate smile wavered, her face twisting in hurt and surprise.
She looked at her sister, unsure what to think.
Something was different about Eclipse today. Her usual submissiveness was gone, replaced by a strange boldness.
Jessica studied her sister closely, trying to figure out what had changed.
Eclipse's hair was different, her makeup softer, but it was still her.
Jessica thought back to the days when she and her best friend, Emily, had plotted together to humiliate Eclipse, confident in their success.
But today, Eclipse wasn't acting like the broken girl they had expected.
Meanwhile, Eclipse didn't care what Jessica was thinking.
She knew she had been foolish before, doing anything to gain Robert's love.
But now, she realized just how much of a scumbag he was. Eclipse took a deep breath, soothing her aching heart.
She didn't even bother looking at the trio again as she walked past them and headed upstairs.
Jessica, Mrs. Rocelyn, and Robert stood frozen, watching her go. None of them mattered to her now.
In her room, Eclipse sighed. Ever since her mother had died, there was no warmth left in the Rocelyn house for her.
Her room felt cold and empty, a reflection of her life. She opened the curtains to let in some sunlight, trying to warm the space.
As she did, she looked around, searching for something important she had hidden.
She opened her drawer, but it wasn't there. Eclipse's eyes grew cold. Without wasting any time, she stormed back downstairs, her heels clicking loudly.
Mrs. Rocelyn was tending to Jessica's swollen hand, their faces still filled with bitterness.
Robert sat nearby, trying to comfort Jessica, but his eyes kept flicking upstairs, unable to ignore the strange new version of Eclipse.
Jessica noticed Robert's distracted gaze and bit her lip.
She lowered her head, her voice soft and sad. "Brother Robert, I know it's my fault that I ruined things with my sister, but I didn't choose to be born this way... If I could have changed things, I wouldn't have hurt anyone. My sister even called me a child born out of wedlock today..."
Robert hugged her tighter, his voice cold. "Don't listen to her, Jessica. She's just bitter."
Jessica smirked quietly, confident in her hold over Robert.
She knew Eclipse's usual reaction: pain, jealousy, and forced smiles, hoping for even a little of Robert's attention.
Jessica always used that to hurt her.
But today was different.
Eclipse came down the stairs, her face calm, but her black eyes burning with anger as they focused on Jessica.
Jessica suddenly felt nervous. What was wrong with Eclipse?
She didn't even seem to care about Robert anymore, and her gaze was filled with a terrifying determination.
Jessica's fake tears stopped instantly as Eclipse approached her, her tone icy. "Hand over the script you took from my drawer."
Jessica blinked, her expression innocent. "Sister, what script? I don't know what you're talking about."
She turned to Mrs. Rocelyn, her voice soft and confused. "Mom, have you seen any script in my sister's room? Maybe the maid threw it out while cleaning."
Mrs. Rocelyn snapped, her anger rising. "What script? This girl always gets the lowest grades in school. Who would believe she can write anything? Now she's making up lies to blame you. How ridiculous!"
Eclipse clenched her fists, her heart pounding with rage.
Jessica and Mrs. Rocelyn had not only stolen her family and her future but now they were trying to take away her last dream too.
Jessica hurriedly said, "Mom, please don't be so harsh. I'll help my sister find it, okay?"
Jessica stood up and moved closer to Eclipse, pretending to care.
But as she passed by her sister, she leaned in and whispered with a smirk, "You little idiot, I took your script. What are you going to do about it?"
Suddenly, Eclipse raised her hand and slapped Jessica hard across the face.
The smack echoed through the room, loud and clear.