Chapter 5 My Sister Bianca

• Freya's POV
• I drove off in a fit of anger, my mind consumed with Kingsley's smug expression. I felt furious, as though he believed I was only playing games with him to gain something.
• To him, it seemed like everything in the world had a price, even if it was hidden in the darkness. If someone claimed that money couldn't buy everything, Kingsley would merely scoff and say that the sum offered wasn't enough.
• Therefore, once something happened between us when we got along, he was always calculating how much it would take to keep me happy. But this time, I was determined not to compromise. I swore to myself that I wouldn't let him get the better of me again.
• Just as I made my vow, my phone rang.
• "Hello?" I said, my voice sharp.
• "My dear daughter, what's wrong?" My father's voice sounded cheerful on the other end of the line.
• "What do you want?" I asked, unable to hide the irritation in my tone.
• "I found some high-quality caviar that your mother-in-law enjoys. Come and pick it up, and remember to bring your husband along too."
• I rolled my eyes at the mention of Kingsley's mother. My father knew her tastes better than he knew mine, even though I had lived for so long.
• I couldn't help but sneer at the irony of the situation. I'd lived my whole life and he didn't know what I liked, but he knew everything about what Kingsley's mother liked.
• My life was just as ridiculous. When Kingsley had asked to accept me as his mate, my father had agreed without asking any questions. I knew that my father was only interested in furthering his own agenda.
• But despite everything, he was still my father. I sighed heavily, resigned to the fact that sometimes we were trapped by our circumstances, no matter how much we wanted to break free.
• I went to the nearby mall to purchase some symbolic gifts before heading to the garage to pick up my Porsche.
• The mere thought of this car brings a pang of pain, for it was a gift from Kingsley's mother.
• I knew then that I was not the perfect daughter-in-law in her eyes, but I couldn't afford to hurt the image of the Moonlight Pack. She asked me to choose a car of my liking, but I feared they might view me as a vain woman, so I settled for a car that cost barely a million.
• But now, if I were to be rejected by Kingsley, the car would be the only possession I could claim as mine. I should have known better and purchased a more expensive car.
• The mere thought of Kingsley's arrogant demeanor filled me with indignation. On the way home, I nearly ran a red light and struggled to arrive at the house I had hardly visited these years.
• Standing at the door, I took a deep breath, forced a smile, put on a polite expression, and rang the doorbell.
• Bianca, my father's adopted daughter, answered the door.
• She had always stolen my father's affection from me since childhood. She had impeccably applied makeup and wore a flattering smile, which vanished the moment she saw me alone. She cast a quick glance around and showed a look of disappointment.
• "What's the matter? Am I not welcome?" I asked.
• "No, no. I just wanted to see if my brother-in-law had brought me any presents," she said with a lack of interest and returned to the house.
• Theo emerged from the kitchen expectantly upon hearing the commotion. His beaming smile turned into a frown when he saw me alone.
• "I thought I told you to bring Kingsley back," he said.
• "Well, he had an urgent meeting and couldn't make it," I explained.
• "It's alright. The busier he is, the more prosperous our pack will become. Come and sit down. I've prepared your favorite dishes," he said, attempting to lighten the mood.
• Theo smoothly continued with his hosting duties and gestured for me to take a seat at the table.
• As I observed the luxurious spread in front of me, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of cynicism within me.
• Did Theo prepare this feast, thinking that Kingsley would be accompanying me? And now that he wasn't here, did Theo suddenly remember my favorite dishes?
• The smell of the grilled lamb chops was overwhelming, and I felt a wave of nausea. But what really made me uncomfortable was witnessing the bond between Bianca and Theo.
• Since my mother's accident, the warmth in my relationship with Theo had turned cold, while Bianca continued to bask in my father's affection. I couldn't help but wonder who his real daughter was sometimes.
• At the dinner table, Theo asked me to put away the caviar he had prepared for Kingsley's mother and then turned his attention to serving Bianca with a dish.
• Her response was a plastered-on smile that I found insincere as if it was a mask she put on just to please her father. I watched this all with a detached air, mechanically eating the food and occasionally glancing at the clock, hoping for the right time to leave.
• Kingsley's absence turned out to be a blessing in disguise, sparing us from having to maintain the illusion of a happy family.
• Suddenly, Bianca spoke up, "Dad, I've found a new job recently, and the working environment and compensation are good. But..."
• She shot me a furtive glance before resuming her sweet smile at Theo.
• Concerned, he asked, "What's wrong? Are your colleagues giving you a hard time?"
• Bianca hesitated for a moment before replying, "No, everyone is treating me well. It's just that everyone there looks fashionable, and I'm afraid I'll be slighted. I was thinking of having a branded bag to avoid that."
• Bianca's eyes widened, and she put on a pitiful expression, looking at the bag beside me. I could see the desire of wanting it in her eyes.
• That was the bag that Kingsley gave me. It came from a famous brand and was handmade and customized. There were only ten in the world.