'Here goes nothing.'

The rhythmic click of heels brought a hush over the lively chatter in the hall. 

All heads turned as a tall, slender figure stepped gracefully inside. She was breathtaking. 

Dressed in a simple yet stunning black lace dress that clung delicately to her curves, she radiated effortless elegance. 

Her long black hair cascaded in luxurious waves down her back, gleaming under the soft light like spun silk. 

A touch of light makeup enhanced her natural beauty, drawing attention to her perfectly sculpted features—her dainty chin, straight, delicate nose, and soft pink lips, painted just a shade deeper with lipstick. 

Her porcelain-white skin was flawless, smooth, and luminous, the kind most could only dream of achieving.

She paused for a moment, her soft blue eyes sweeping across the room like a gentle breeze. 

They held a curious gleam, taking in the unfamiliar faces gathered for the celebration. 

She knew no one here, but she had come with a purpose—to connect, to socialize, to perhaps find a friend or two in this sea of strangers.

As her gaze landed on her sister, her resolve seemed to waver for just a heartbeat. Still, she resumed her walk, each step a lesson in grace, like a queen making her entrance. 

Yet, beneath the poised exterior, her eyes betrayed a flicker of shyness, of uncertainty. 

Her confident strides carried her forward, though every step was an act of will. She walked with the air of someone who belonged, even if she wasn't quite sure she did.

"You sure have guts to be attending this party when you're only the daughter of a mistress" Selena, a sharp eyed blonde sniped, her words directed to her sister.

Hermia's passive blue eyes widened at her half-sisters comment, she didn't think her sister would say such a thing loudly in such a place. Everyone could hear and it was embarrassing but she had underestimated how low Selena could stoop.

"Selena—" Hermia started but her sister was sharp to cut her off.

"Why are you whispering? Can't speak out loud?" she asked with a sly smirk blooming on her face, she looked around meticulously to make sure they all heard while also maintaining innocent curiousity.

Hermia drew in a deep breath when Selena's circle started to chime in. She didn't think their family business was their concern but with how loud Selena had been just now she was clearly inviting everyone to join the convo.

"She must have a little shame after all," Esther let out scornfully.

Hermia bit her lip, her gaze fixed on her feet. She had always known she wasn't loved—neither by her family nor by anyone else. 

Her life had been hard for as long as she could remember, a constant battle to fit in, yet she always felt like an outsider. 

Her words were often misunderstood, twisted into something she hadn't intended, and no matter what she did, people seemed to assume she had ulterior motives.

Today, for the first time in a long while, she'd tried something different. Something she normally wouldn't.

An anonymous invitation to a birthday party had arrived, and after a month of staying home since her return, she thought it might be nice to go out. Meet people and stop being a damn depressed extrovert.

But now, standing at the edge of the gathering, she realized it might have been a mistake. She wasn't wanted here!

Her sister's icy glares and thinly veiled hostility made it clear she was in for a rough night.

Hermia swallowed hard, hoping she could endure the evening without drawing her father's wrath, in fact the whole family's scorn but she knew it would be difficult because they would attack her until she breaks.

An obnoxious one with big lips folded her arms sharply as she asked the crowd smoothly, "Why is she here anyway?"

The other curious tables start to turn quietly for a taste of the loud conversation.

"She obviously doesn't know her place, I'm tired of her" Selena pinched her forehead.

"Selena, Are you jealous of her because she got to live and school in the US?" Sasha, she was also in the group but by her words one would know she didn't exactly like Selena but knew friendship isn't by emotions but necessity.