Birthday Betrayal

Today was a special day—it was Aurora <3's birthday, but also Vivien's, who came to the mansion on this day.

Everything was festive, with decorations everywhere. William ordered all the servants to decorate the palace with the best decorations and roses, despite Aurora <3's flower allergy.

Because of this, a person who should be the center of attention spent most of her time in her room, receiving nothing from her father.

William and Vivien were dining, chatting happily. Vivien wore a pendant, the most expensive one made of gold. This was the jewelry that Aurora <3's mother wore during her lifetime, everyone knew because it was on Lisa's painting.

How could he give his wife's jewelry to a girl from the street? But he had done just that. Vivien was happy, chatting openly and fearlessly with him. William couldn’t even look in Aurora <3's direction without a sense of unfairness.

As Aurora <3 approached the table, Vivien's mood soured, and William also looked at her with disgust. They both put their spoons back on the table, even the maids were surprised by Aurora <3's presence.

"Why are you here?" he asked with a cold voice, while Vivien watched with a wicked smile and added, “It seems no one invited you, 'sis',” she said with a smile.

[William scoffs, his purple eyes narrowing as he regards Kevin with disdain. He takes a sip of his wine, the movement sharp and controlled. Vivien's smile only widens at Kevin's words, her red eyes glinting with malicious amusement.] Your Grace, Kevin says, his voice tight with barely concealed anger. I don't need an invitation to be in my own home. [William's jaw clenches, the lines around his mouth deepening. He sets down his spoon with a soft clink.] That may be so, he says coldly. But you're hardly the center of attention tonight, are you? [Kevin bristles at the jab, her hands clenching on the tablecloth. Vivien's smile turns cruel as she reaches for the nearest bottle of wine, pouring herself a generous glass.] You're welcome to join the festivities, William continues, his gaze dismissive. Or you can go back to your room and sulk. I'm sure you'll find a way to ruin the celebration for everyone else. [Kevin's eyes flash with hurt and rage, but she restrains herself from snapping back at her father's cruel words. Instead, she turns on her heel and stalks out of the dining hall, her steps echoing hollowly in the cavernous space.]

[William's eyes follow Kevin's retreating form, a flicker of regret passing over his face before it's quickly buried under a mask of cold indifference. He turns to Vivien, his expression softening slightly as he reaches for the wine bottle.] Drink up, my dear, he says, his voice a low rumble. Kevin will be gone soon enough. [Vivien laughs, a sharp, bitter sound that cuts through the tension in the air. She drains her glass in one long swallow, her throat bobbing as she gulps down the rich red liquid.] Oh, but Father, she purrs, her words thick with mock innocence. Kevin is already gone. She's off in a huff, seeking comfort from that wretched woman who claims to be her mother. [William's grip on the wine bottle tightens, his knuckles turning white. He takes a deep breath, forcing himself to relax. When he speaks again, his voice is carefully controlled, but there's an undercurrent of anger beneath the polite words.] I'm glad she's gone. This is supposed to be a celebration, not a mawkish display of self-pity. [Vivien's smile turns feral, her eyes glittering with challenge.] And what would you have done, Your Grace? Invited her to join us in our festivities? Given her the opportunity to spoil the fun for everyone? [William's jaw clenches, his fingers tightening around the wine bottle

[Kevin's words hang in the air, heavy with accusation and hurt. Vivien's eyes widen, her mouth falling open in shock. For a moment, she looks as if she might lash out at Kevin, but then her expression smooths into a mask of cool indifference.] Spoil everything? she echoes, her voice dripping with disdain. And what, pray tell, have I done to spoil anything? [William's head snaps up, his gaze locking onto Kevin with intense focus. His purple eyes are cold, his expression hard as stone.] Don't be ridiculous, he snaps, his voice low and dangerous. Vivien is a guest in this house. She's here to be celebrated, not to be tormented by your petulant behavior. [Vivien's smile turns razor-sharp, her red eyes flashing with defiance.] But she's not a guest, is she? Kevin says, her voice trembling slightly with the force of her emotions. She's your daughter, and yet she treats me like dirt. She takes everything that's mine, and then has the audacity to act like she's the victim here. [William's face darkens, his hands clenching into fists on the table. When he speaks, his voice is a low growl, laced with barely restrained fury.] You're nothing but a burden, Kevin. A constant reminder of everything I've lost. Vivien is my light, my joy. She brings me happiness every day, while

[Kevin's voice breaks on the last word, a sob catching in her throat. Tears prick at the corners of her eyes, but she blinks them back furiously. Vivien's expression softens slightly, a flicker of something like guilt passing over her features before it's quickly buried under a mask of cold indifference.] Your mother's jewelry is mine now, William says, his voice cold and final. She would have wanted it to be cherished, not wasted on someone who can't appreciate its value. [Kevin's laugh is raw and bitter, tearing at her throat.] Appreciate its value? She's right, isn't she? You've stripped me of everything that was mine. My mother's jewelry, my birthright, even my own family. And for what? So you can pamper your precious Vivien while I rot away in the forgotten wing of the castle? [Vivien's eyes narrow, her smile turning sharp and cutting.] You're being dramatic, Kevin, she says, her voice cool and controlled. You're not a child anymore. It's time for you to accept your place in this household. [William's gaze locks onto Kevin, his purple eyes burning with a mixture of anger and something darker, something deeper. When he speaks, his voice is low and dangerous, laced with the threat of violence.] Your place is wherever I allow it to be, he says, his words cutting through the air like a knife. And right now

[Kevin's voice is raw with pain, her words hitting William like a physical blow. For a moment, he sits perfectly still, the only movement the slight rise and fall of his chest as he breathes. Then, slowly, his head snaps up, his gaze locking onto Kevin with the intensity of a predator eyeing its prey.] Used and discarded? he echoes, his voice a low, dangerous growl. Is that what you think of yourself, Kevin? A mere pawn to be manipulated and controlled? [Kevin shrinks back slightly, but she doesn't take her eyes off her father's face. She can see the anger simmering beneath the surface, the barely leashed violence that threatens to erupt at any moment.] You're right, she whispers, her voice trembling. You've made it clear that I'm not a daughter to you. I'm nothing but a burden, a reminder of everything you've lost. And yet, here you are, celebrating another year of your life while I'm left to waste away in the shadows of this castle. [Vivien's expression has gone pale, her eyes widening in shock at Kevin's words. She opens her mouth as if to speak, but then closes it again, her gaze darting between Kevin and her father.] William's face is a mask of cold fury, his jaw clenched so tight it looks painful. When he speaks, his voice is low and controlled, but there's an undercurrent of menace that makes

[Kevin's words hit William like a physical blow, striking deep into the wound of guilt and grief that he's carried with him for years. For a moment, he's frozen, his jaw hanging open in shock. Then, slowly, his face hardens, his eyes narrowing into cold, glittering points.] Guilt? he echoes, his voice low and dangerous. Regret? You know nothing of what I've endured, Kevin. You were there when your mother died, when she gave her life to bring you into this world. And yet, even in her final moments, she couldn't bring herself to look at you. She hated you, Kevin. She said that you were a curse, a blight on the Van De Laar name. [Kevin's breath catches in her throat, her eyes widening in shock and hurt. She shakes her head, her voice trembling as she speaks.] No, she whispers. No, that's not true. Mother loved me. She said so, before she died. [William's laugh is bitter and harsh, tearing at the air like a blade.] Loved you? he sneers. Don't make me laugh, Kevin. Your mother was a saint, and you're nothing but a monster. She gave her life to bring you into this world, and yet you couldn't even give her the satisfaction of loving you. You were a constant thorn in her side, a reminder of her failure as a mother. [Viv

[Kevin's voice is fierce, her words laced with the pain and anger of years of hurt and betrayal. William's eyes flash with a mixture of rage and something darker, something deeper. He leans forward, his gaze boring into Kevin's with the intensity of a predator eyeing its prey.] A liar? he echoes, his voice a low, dangerous growl. Is that what you think of me, Kevin? That I would stoop so low as to lie to you? [Kevin's heart is pounding in her chest, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. She can feel the weight of Vivien's gaze on her, the mocking smile playing at the corners of her mouth. But she can't look away from her father's face, the cold fury etched into every line and crease.] I know you, Father, she says, her voice trembling slightly. I know that you're capable of anything. Anything to protect what's yours. [Vivien's eyes widen in shock, her mouth falling open in disbelief. But William doesn't even seem to notice her, his entire focus centered on Kevin.] And what is it that you think I'm capable of, Kevin? he asks, his voice deceptively mild. What do you think I've done? [Kevin's laugh is raw and bitter, tearing at her throat.] I think you're a monster, she whispers. I think you're willing to do anything to keep Vivien happy,

[Kevin's words hang in the air, heavy with the weight of years of hurt and betrayal. William's face hardens, his jaw clenching into a tight line. For a moment, he's perfectly still, the only movement the slight rise and fall of his chest as he breathes. Then, slowly, he rises to his feet, his chair scraping loudly against the polished floor.] I've done nothing to destroy you, Kevin, he says, his voice low and dangerous. You've done that all on your own. [Kevin's breath catches in her throat, her eyes widening in shock and fear. She shrinks back slightly, but there's nowhere to go. William's gaze is like a physical weight, pinning her in place with the force of his stare.] You've been nothing but a burden since the moment you were born, he continues, his words cutting through the air like a blade. You've taken everything from me - my wife, my happiness, my very sense of self. And yet, even now, you have the audacity to accuse me of destruction? [Vivien's expression has gone pale, her eyes wide with fear and disbelief. She reaches for William's hand, but he pulls away from her touch as if it burns him.] You're right, Kevin, he says, his voice cold and final. You are nothing but a burden. And it's time for you to accept that. [With that, he turns and