Leah's POV
Everyone sat around the house, the air filled with anticipation as we all waited for Vanessa to return.
But no one waited more than Ace.
He had stood near the window, his arms crossed, and jaw tight. I knew he wasn't nervous because he missed her, he was nervous because of me. Because of us. Because all it would take was one wrong move, one unguarded moment, for everything to come crashing down.
So, I had to remind him, a little gently but firmly.
"Ace," I said quietly earlier, "you need to act affectionate. Just until today's over. No cold stares. No avoiding her. You can't give her any reason to suspect anything."
He didn't like It.
I saw it in his eyes, the hesitation, the discomfort, but he nodded anyway.
Reluctantly.
Now we stood outside, just in front of his car, the hot afternoon sun shining down on us harshly. I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. He looked tense, his fingers tapping fast on the side mirror, his gaze on the road ahead.
Curiosity sparked in Ace's eyes, and after a long painful silence, he finally spoke.
"Leah?" he said, not looking at me and still staring at the road, "why do you hate your sister so much?"
The question remained in the air, hard to answer.
I froze for a moment, surprised he would ask, even more surprised at how calmly he did.
But the answer?
The answer wasn't simple.
I turned to him, my eyes steady. "It's not something I can explain easily."
He raised a brow but said nothing.
"When the time's right…." I added softly, "I'll tell you everything."
And I meant it.
Just then, Vanessa appeared, her voice coming through the air before her figure even came into our view.
She laughed loudly, like someone had just told her the funniest joke in the world. That fake, kind of laugh that made you wonder who she was doing it for.
And then she saw us.
Me, standing beside Ace and just like that, the laughter faded.
I saw it. In her eyes.
That little envy. That silent sting of jealousy.
It was quick, but it was there.
And within seconds, she closed the distance between us and wedged herself right between me and Ace, like she had to make a claim that no one needed to know.
She threw her arms around him, hugging him tight, as if we on an altar. Then, without warning, she moved her head and pressed her lips onto his.
Ace visibly tensed just for a second.
He wasn't into it.
But then I saw it, his eyes looked toward me, and he remembered.
Remembered what I told him.
Be affectionate. Don't raise suspicion.
So, he kissed her back. Lightly. But just enough.
I stepped aside, my face calm and the irritation hidden under my skin and I pretended not to care.
She pulled back from the kiss with an overly exaggerated gasp, like she had just return from underwater. "Hmmmm," she hummed, smiling like she had just tasted something sweet.
Then she turned. Of course she did. And looked over her shoulder at me.
Her eyes held that surprised mock look, as if to say, Oh! I forgot you were still here.
It was fake. So fake.
But I smiled anyway.
A slow, calm smile.
"Why don't we all go inside for the surprise, shall we?" I said smoothly, dusting an invisible dust from my sleeve.
She blinked for a second, then quickly nodded. "Of course," she chirped.
She grabbed Ace's arm, holding onto it like a prize, and turned toward the house.
And so I followed behind them.
Back inside the house, Vanessa….no, Valentina, as our parents now proudly called her, walked in with Ace beside her, her fingers locked around his like she was never letting go.
She put on that smile again. The one she saved for public moments. A convincing one.
Their steps were perfectly the same, like they rehearsed it. And our parents? They sparked the moment the two of them appeared in the doorway.
"Oh, look at them," our mother spoke, her hands clasped together.
Our father stood, his chest pushed out slightly with pride. "Now that's what I call a match made in heaven."
Vanessa smiled at their praise, gently moving Ace forward as if to show him off a little more. And Ace? He said nothing. He Just smiled.
They looked perfect to everyone else.
They sat beside each other on the couch, Vanessa glued to Ace's side. Both of them wore those camera ready to go smiles.
"So," my mom said, practically beaming, "we have a surprise for you both."
Vanessa's eyes sparkled, filled with anticipation, and I already knew she had been looking for something like this.
"A private spa day," my mom announced proudly. "Just for you and Ace."
Vanessa squeak loudly. "Oh, Mummy!" she rushed, jumping up and wrapping her arms around her like it was the greatest gift she had ever received.
Ace stood up with her, smiling and pretending, pretending like it actually meant something to him.
"And," my mom added sweetly, "Leah would take both of you there."
Wait…..what?
I looked up from my phone, every muscle in my body frozen.
Excuse me?
My eyes went around the room. Vanessa was still smiling, that sweet grin that made me want to roll my eyes. My mother was watching me, hopeful. Almost begging. And Ace…..he didn't even flinch.
Everyone was waiting, like they knew I would say no. Like they were already rehearsing how to cover it up or plead when I refuse.
Say no, Leah. Say no.
But instead, I smiled.
"Sure thing!"
Ace turned and walked toward me and without a word, he brought out the car keys from his pocket and held them out to me.
I stared at them for a second, not reaching at that instant. I knew exactly what would happen the moment I took them.
All I had to do was look behind him and sure enough, there it was.
Vanessa's face.
Jealousy flickered for a split second before she caught herself back, bringing back her smile.
It was short, but I saw it and it made me smile, inwardly.
I turned back to Ace and took the keys from his hand.
"Come on," I said, moving my fingers around it with a smile, "Let's get going."
I didn't say it like I was a sister or friend,
I said it like a driver. Like I was in charge.
The drive to the spa wasn't long, just a short ride through the familiar streets. It was an exclusive place, hidden away but still within the reach everyone who could pay, the kind of place that gave exclusiveness and luxury without making too much noise about it.
I parked in front and followed them inside, making sure to keep my role intact. Smiling when I had to, and saying just enough to seem just okay. I helped them check in, watched as they were led down the hall by a hostess in white, towels already around her arm.
Then I left them there.
I returned to the car, slipping back into the driver's seat, ready to drown myself in silence and the sound of my phone.
But then, I saw it.
Vanessa's phone.
It was there on the back seat, it's screen facing up.
Unlocked.
Of course.
She never locked it. Always said she had nothing to hide.
But this time…..I was going to dig deep and see everything.