Vivian POV
The ballroom spun, shards of broken champagne flutes glinting at my feet, Bella's cold glare burning into me. My sister, alive, arm-in-arm with Evans, her hostility like a stranger's. I swayed, clutching the bar, as Clara's arm steadied me.
"Vivian, come on," she whispered, tugging me toward a side door. "Let's get you some air."
"No," I rasped, my eyes locked on Bella. "I need to talk to her."
"Not now," Clara said, her grip firm. "You're shaking like a leaf."
The crowd's murmurs grew louder, eyes darting between me and the mess on the floor. Madeline's voice cut through, sharp as a whip. "Someone deal with this disaster," she snapped, her silver gown flashing as she strode toward us.
Clara pulled me through the door into a quiet hallway, the jazz band's notes fading. My shoes were soaked, sticking to the marble, and Bella's hair clip jabbed my thigh through my pocket. I yanked free, turning back. "I have to see her, Clara. She's my sister!"
"I get it, but you're a mess," Clara said, blocking the door. "You'll make it worse."
Before I could argue, Nate cut in. "You need to chill out Vivian."
"She's alive," I choked out, my hands trembling. "Bella, my sister. She's supposed to be dead."
Nate's jaw clenched, but he didn't question it. "Stay here. I'll find out what's going on."
He slipped back into the ballroom, leaving me with Clara. I paced, my mind racing. Bella was here, with Evans, hating me. How? I'd seen her sink in that pool, felt Dad's rage. Ten years of guilt, and now this?
"Sit," Clara said, pointing to a bench. "You're gonna pass out."
"I can't," I said, my voice cracking. "I need answers."
"Then wait till the party calms down," she said, softening. "You go in now, Madeline'll eat you alive."
I slumped onto the bench, rubbing Bella's clip through my dress. Clara sat beside me, her shoulder brushing mine. "You sure it's her?" she asked. "After all this time?"
"It's her," I said, my throat tight. "Same eyes, same face. But… different. Like she wants me gone."
Clara frowned, but before she could reply, the door swung open. Madeline stormed in, her heels clicking like gunfire. "Vivian, you've outdone yourself," she said, her smile venomous. "Ruining my son's night with your theatrics."
"I didn't mean to," I said, standing. "I need to talk to Bella."
"Absolutely not," she snapped, stepping closer. "You've caused enough chaos. Go to your room."
"She's my sister!" I shouted, my fists clenching. "I thought she was dead for ten years!"
Madeline's eyes narrowed. "Your family drama is not our concern. You're a guest here, barely. Don't test my patience."
"I just want to know why she's here," I said, my voice breaking. "Please."
"Enough," she said, her tone final. "Clara, escort her upstairs. Now."
Clara hesitated, but Madeline's glare shut her down. "Come on, Vivian," Clara muttered, touching my arm.
I pulled away, glaring at Madeline. "You can't keep me from her."
"Can't I?" she said, stepping so close I smelled her perfume. "One word from me, and you're back on the street. Try me."
My resolve wavered, the eviction notice flashing in my mind. I had nowhere else to go. "Fine," I muttered, turning to Clara. "Let's go."
Clara led me down the hall, her silence heavy. We passed a server carrying a tray of desserts, who shot me a curious look. "What's her deal?" he whispered to another staff member as we passed.
"Dropped a tray, freaked out," the other replied. "Some nobody Evans took in."
I kept my head down, the words stinging. Upstairs, Clara stopped at my door. "I'll check on things downstairs," she said. "Stay put, okay?"
"I don't have a choice," I said, stepping inside. The lock clicked as she closed the door, the sound echoing like a jail cell. I tried the handle, locked. Madeline wasn't taking chances.
I sank onto the bed, yanking Bella's clip from my pocket. Its sparkly heart mocked me, a relic of a sister I'd lost, or thought I had. I hurled it across the room, where it skittered under the dresser. My hands shook as I buried my face in them, trying to piece it together. Bella, alive. With Evans. Hating me. None of it made sense.
I stood, pacing the room, my wet shoes squeaking. I banged on the door. "Clara? Anyone?" No answer. The party's muffled music drifted up, a cruel reminder of the world moving on without me. I grabbed my phone, thinking to call Evans, but stopped. What would I say? Why's my dead sister your girlfriend?
Instead, I rummaged through my bag, pulling out the silver pen I'd meant to give him. I tossed it onto the desk, its clatter loud in the quiet. He'd been so distant today, nothing like the guy who'd sat at my bar, asking about my life. Had I imagined it all?
A knock startled me. "Vivian?" It was Nate, his voice low through the door.
I rushed over, pressing my ear to the wood. "Nate, let me out! I need to see Bella!"
"Can't," he said, sounding tense. "Madeline's orders. Just… stay calm, alright?"
"Calm?" I snapped, banging the door. "My sister's alive, and she's with Evans! How am I supposed to be calm?"
"I know it's a lot," he said, his voice steady but strained. "I'm trying to figure it out. Evans is tied up, but I'll talk to him."
"She looked at me like she hates me," I said, my voice cracking. "Why?"
"I don't know," he said. "But I'll get answers. Sit tight."
His footsteps faded, leaving me alone again. I slid to the floor, my back against the door. The party's laughter seeped through, mocking me. I'd come here to confess my love, to start over. Now I was locked in, my world upended. Bella was alive. The guilt I'd carried, the life I'd lost running from it, what was it all for?
I crawled to the dresser, fishing out Bella's clip. Its weight felt heavier now, like it held secrets I'd never known. I clutched it, my mind spiraling. Where had she been? Why hadn't she come back? And why, after all this time, was she here, with Evans, looking at me like I was her enemy?