Sisters but Strangers
The dining room was filled with laughter, the kind that made Jasmine feel like an outsider in her own family.
Her father sat at the head of the table, his booming voice praising Jenny for her latest achievement—a glowing review of her new charity initiative in a local paper. Jasmine tried to smile as her stepmother beamed with pride.
“Jenny, you’re such a blessing,” her father said, raising his glass. “I don’t know how we got so lucky.”
Jasmine forced a polite chuckle, her fingers tightening around her fork. She glanced at Jenny, whose smug smile only widened.
Jasmine could almost hear her stepsister’s silent victory chant: I’m the favorite, and you’ll never measure up.
“You’ve been quiet, Jasmine,” her stepmother said, feigning concern. “Is everything alright?”
“I’m fine,” Jasmine replied, keeping her tone even. “Just enjoying the meal.”
“That’s good,” Jenny interjected with a saccharine smile. “It’s so nice to see you joining us. It must be exhausting juggling work and—what is it you’ve been doing again?”
Jasmine swallowed the retort rising in her throat. She knew better than to take the bait. Jenny lived for moments like this, to flaunt her superiority.
“Overseeing the expansion project,” Jasmine said, keeping her voice steady. “The board’s happy with the progress.”
“Oh, that,” Jenny said dismissively, taking a sip of wine. “Well, I suppose someone has to manage the grunt work.”
Her father chuckled, as if it were a harmless joke. Jasmine clenched her jaw but refused to let them see her crack.
Her late mother had built Carter Enterprises from the ground up, and Jasmine had worked tirelessly to uphold her legacy. She didn’t need their validation—at least, that’s what she told herself.
The doorbell rang, cutting through the tension. Moments later, Drey stepped into the room, his tailored suit fitting him perfectly as usual. Jasmine’s heart lifted slightly at the sight of him.
“Sorry I’m late,” Drey said, flashing his charming smile. He kissed Jasmine lightly on the cheek before taking the seat beside her. “Hope I didn’t miss anything important.”
“Not at all,” Jenny said, her tone too sweet. “We were just talking about family priorities.”
Jasmine noticed the way Jenny’s gaze lingered on Drey, and her stomach tightened.
She brushed it off as paranoia, but as the night wore on, Drey’s usual warmth toward her felt…off. He barely looked at her, his responses to her questions curt and distracted.
After dinner, Jasmine excused herself to step onto the patio. The cool night air offered a brief reprieve from the suffocating atmosphere inside.
She leaned against the railing, staring at the garden her mother had loved so much.
Before she could turn back to leave, the sound of hushed voices caught her attention.
“…It’s almost done. She won’t know what hit her.”
Jasmine froze. The voices were faint but unmistakable—Jenny and Drey.
“Are you sure this will work?” Drey’s voice was cautious.
“Trust me,” Jenny said, her tone dripping with confidence. “She’s too blind to see what’s coming.”
Jasmine’s chest tightened as a cold dread washed over her. She stepped closer to the open window, straining to hear more, but they lowered their voices.
“You okay?” Someone suddenly asked from behind, making her jump up in fright.
She turned to find Drey behind her, hands in his pockets.
“Yeah,” she lied. “Just needed some air.”
He stepped closer, his cologne familiar but not as comforting as it once was. “You seemed tense in there.”
“It’s hard not to be,” she admitted. “They don’t exactly make me feel welcome.”
Drey hesitated, his gaze shifting away. “They’ll come around. You’re doing great, Jasmine.”
The words felt hollow, like he was trying to convince himself more than her.
Before she could press him further, Drey was already heading inside, oblivious to the storm brewing in her mind.
