Page 51 of The Girl I Once Loved

The front entrance is adorned with a grand staircase, leading to double doors that open into a spacious foyer. Crystal chandeliers hang from the high ceilings, their brilliant facets scattering light throughout the space. Marble floors gleam beneath our feet, and the walls are adorned with classic artwork and family portraits that tell the story of generations past.

I waggle my eyebrows at Daisy, mouthing “rich” to her, and she makes a slicing motion across her throat. I snort, taking in the old-world charm. The decor is a perfect blend of classic elegance and coastal comfort, with plush furnishings in shades of ivory and gold. The living areas are spacious, yet cozy, inviting guests to relax and enjoy the breathtaking views of the ocean beyond.

From the mansion's vantage point, we can see the expansive grounds that stretch out before us. A meticulously landscaped garden extends to the cliff's edge, where a picturesque view of the rugged coastline unfolds. The sound of crashing waves below provides a soothing backdrop to the grandeur of the estate.

As we enter this world of privilege and tradition, I can't help but feel a pang of nostalgia for the simplicity of our own upbringing. Our home felt like a home. This place feels like…a museum.

It’s hard to picture my sister walking these halls. Not because she isn’t a goddess, but because I’d be scared to touch anything if I lived here.

The theme of the event is white and gold, evident in the decorations that adorn the living area that looks out to the coast. A white and gold archway marks the entrance, and crystal chandeliers hang from the ceilings, casting a soft, golden glow over the rooms. The tables are covered in white silk cloths, and golden chairs surround them. Even the place settings are meticulously arranged, with gold-rimmed plates and fine china.

I gaze around the room, my eyebrows high. "This is nice..."

I’m suddenly glad that Derrick’s parents are hosting the shower. Daisy deserves a perfect day like this. I would have done my best. But I do not have the party skills that these people do, that is for sure.

“Daisy,” a cool voice calls from behind us. We turn and see Derrick’s mother, Nadine, coming down another staircase. Coming down might not be the right word. She appears to be floating…in that rich person way that they must teach you as a child since they’re so good at it.

“Hello,” Daisy says, her voice smoothing into a more genteel version of how she normally speaks as Nadine air kisses her cheeks. I smirk at Daisy over Nadine’s shoulder and she glares at me, warning me not to say anything.

“Oh! This must be your sister Skylar. It’s so good to finally meet you. Gael’s parents have told me a lot about you over the years, so I feel as if I already know you,” Nadine says, turning to me.

She scans my features and I hold my head up high, like I learned back in college when mingling with my friends’ rich parents—and especially with Gael’s parents. They were always looking me over, judging whether I was good enough to be in their children’s lives. If she knows or remembers anything that happened between her daughter and I, she gives no sign.

“Everything is gorgeous,” I tell her.

She smiles. “Yes, the party planner did a great job, didn’t she,” she murmurs, and it’s not a question because she knows it’s all great—she’s not the type that would have settled for less. “I’m just going to go check on the catering, but sit back and relax, guests should be arriving at any time now.” She whisks away in a cloud of perfume, and we don’t speak until she’s out of sight.

“Does Derrick have a brother?” I joke, and it takes me a second to realize what I’ve just said. I hold in my inner flinch when I remember that the closest person to a brother Derrick has…would be Noah.

Daisy smirks as if she can read my mind. But before she can tease me about it, a bell echoes through the rooms, presumably meaning the first guests have arrived.

Nadine appears a few minutes later, and then guests start to be led in by house employees. Daisy is greeted with warm smiles and congratulatory hugs. Some of the guests I know, but a lot must be from Nadine’s circle, because I’ve never seen them before. They ooh and ahh over Daisy, and I pretend I’m not uncomfortable by stuffing my mouth with the delicious food that’s being served.

Later, I watch Daisy and my mom interact with Stacy. I wish it wasn’t so weird to have to see how close they seem. That it didn’t feel like betrayal.

But hate is a hard emotion to forget.

Almost as hard as love.

The wounds from Stacy’s betrayal have never healed. And I don’t think they will.

Going to make for a really awkward life having to see Stacy at any significant events in my sister’s life.

I watch Stacy bounce her child on her hip. She had seemed so contrite the other day, but I can't help but wonder if it's all an act. Can someone truly change, especially after causing so much pain?

There’s no sign that Daisy’s nervous during the shower. She focuses on the guests, profusely complimenting Nadine’s party skills. I don’t see any hint today that Nadine doesn’t accept her. She hovers by her side, proudly announcing her as her future daughter in law.

My mother sitting next to me interrupts my people-watching.

“This is nice,” she says, awkwardly.

I give her a false grin and nod, studying her face. She’s aged over the past seven years, as we all have. But you can tell it’s been the good kind of aging. The lines around her eyes and her mouth are the result of smiling, which wouldn’t have been the case before she met Curt.

“I’m—I’m glad you’re here,” she murmurs, biting into a macaron that I would bet came from a bakery in Paris.

I can tell she means it, but she won’t make eye contact with me, and the stiff way she’s holding herself…it’s just hard to bear.

This isn’t the time or place, but I can’t help but say something. “Are you ever going to forgive me?” I whisper, pretending to take a sip of my drink.

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