I open my eyes. The ceiling was pink.. Glittering stars, pastel walls plastered with pictures of my family, and enough shimmer to blind a baby deer. This had to be some sick joke by the heavens. I died and my final place of rest was my old childhood bedroom. My sister had betrayed me by sending me to Russia and then framing me as a rat. She had my parents kill me and even took my lover.
I shot up from my bed running to the mirror. My reflection stares back at me from my channel themed walk in closet. Same face, different eyes—sharp, calculating. I'm reborn before my life stopped being mine. Before, my life became hell on Earth. I let out a dry laugh. God had given me a chance at revenge and I was going to bring Italy to its knees and make it beg.
In the past I copied my sister from hair to clothes to how she spoke. She was my biggest inspiration and my worst enemy.
I take a quick shower and leave my hair curly. The fabric of my low-waist jeans feels cool against my skin. My crop top fits snug. I look like I'm trying to make a statement—like I want everyone to notice I'm not the same girl who once played it safe. The desperation to change the past seeped from my clothes into my skin.
My mind drifts back to her—Veronica. My sister. The one who betrayed me in the worst way possible. She married my lover, then had me sent away, out of sight, out of mind. I remember the cold steel of the executioner's blade, the final breath I took. I remember her smirk as she watched me die. The smirk that painted her face as my face twisted in pain.
But I'm not dead. And I'm not the sad little Serena anymore. Not anymore. And I'm not going to let her get away with it.
I stand and walk to the window. The city below is alive, bustling, unaware of the storm brewing inside me. Today is her birthday—the perfect day to start my new life, to make her regret everything she's done.
I grab my phone and run downstairs with a smile on my face as I walk straight to her with open arms.
"V. Happy birthday. Omg my big sister is turning 24 this year" I screech..
She's furious. I know she is. Her smile twists at my appearance. I can feel eyes on me but I ignore her acting oblivious.
"Thank you baby sis. Is that what you're wearing?"
"Yeah you don't like it?"
She looked taken aback by my question. Normally I would change into something similar to what she is wearing.
"No, I just think papa would think it's indecent. You're showing so much skin"
"Don't worry everyone's eyes will be on you today I don't think anyone would pay mind to me"
She opened her mouth to say something but I raised my hand and waved.
"OMG Lougi"
I brush past her, ignoring her as I head toward Lougi. He's waiting in the corner, whispering softly—I catch snippets of his words but focus on what's really important.
"You look beautiful today."
I give him a smile and curtsy.
"Why thank you dear sir"
He chuckles a little and his eyes drift past me as his smile fades to Veronica. Currently he is my boyfriend but a week from now he'll be V's husband. I grab his hand and pull him towards V who didn't look pleased.
"The party starts in a few hours right V so lets go do our make up. Oh and Lougi, my dad is in the dining room."
I said grabbing V. We got to the room and the maids were already set up and the artist was waiting for us.
"Sienna Veronica darling are you ready"
"Yes Victor makes me look stunning" V said sitting down.
"Is Sienna the same for you then?"
"Nope, today I want today to be all about my sister."
I slip my phone out of my pocket, eyes darting. I grabbed V's hair brush and put it in my pocket. When I was in Russia I heard something.
V wasn't my father's child. At first I dismissed it but the more I thought about it the more it solidified. I looked at the spoon I swiped from the kitchen with my dads DNA and smiled to myself.
While Veronica was choosing her outfit I opened my laptop and got to work. I doubted anyone here knew what I was doing. I hack into my fathers laptop—fast, precise. Searching. The miracle heist was in a few days and I needed to be in that bank. The bank where Italy kept all its secrets. It's still untouched, still safe from the Russians. For now. In my past life I destroyed Russia before they could use it.
"Sienna time for you love"
I shut my laptop and sat down to get my makeup.
My pulse quickens. This is only the beginning. I looked at v who had on a big blue evening dress and exaggerated makeup. I couldn't wait to see her destroy it with her own tears.
"Keep it simple its my sister's big day"