**Chapter 7** “You haven’t found anything that catches your eye? Take a look at this one!” Gloria’s voice was ever-enthusiastic as she hurried over, a stunning piece of fabric draped over her arm, shimmering under the soft boutique lights. Norah watched from a distance, her heart a storm of emotions. Jealousy surged through her; though she was accustomed to her mother being at her beck and call, it irked her to see Gloria so quick to abandon her for Nicole. With a smirk forming on her lips, she approached the two with a plan brewing in her mind. “Mom, this dress looks exquisite, but it’s quite pricey. And honestly, not everyone has the figure to pull it off,” she added, her voice tinged with a mocking sweetness. Did she think Nicole wasn’t worthy? The implications hung heavy in the air like an uninvited guest. Nicole’s brow arched delicately, amusement dancing in her eyes. “I’m not usually one for such dresses, but now that you mention it, I suppose I should give it a try.” “Absolutely, do try it on!” Gloria’s eyes sparkled with the thrill of a new treasure being unveiled. There was an unspoken understanding that this dress was meant for Nicole. Norah’s heart sank; she hadn’t anticipated this hillbilly’s audacity to try on the dress she had subtly criticized. With a graceful ease, Nicole took the dress and vanished into the fitting room. Seconds felt like hours before she pulled back the curtain, revealing herself in the stunning garment. The fabric hugged her curves perfectly, transforming her from an everyday girl into a vision. Where she usually favored casual wear for ease and comfort, the elegance of this dress felt almost surreal. The white fabric contrasted beautifully against her sun-kissed skin, making her look radiant. With her hair cascading down her shoulders, she resembled Gloria even more—two beauties bound by blood, yet separated by circumstance. “Miss, you look absolutely stunning in that dress!” the boutique manager gushed, her praise ringing true. “Yes! This is the one!” Gloria exclaimed, her voice bubbling with pride and excitement. A storm brewed in Norah’s chest as she fought back her frustration. “Mom, me too! I want to try that dress!” she interjected, desperation creeping into her tone. For a girl groomed in luxury, the idea of losing out to someone she deemed beneath her was simply unbearable. The boutique manager, caught in a delicate bind, advised, “I’m afraid this dress is a limited edition, and there’s only one piece available.” Gloria realized the dilemma they faced but couldn’t ignore the fact that Nicole wore the dress so flawlessly. “Norah, there are plenty of beautiful outfits in this store. Why don’t we explore some other options?” She then motioned for the manager to ring up their purchase, guiding them toward the cashier. Norah’s disappointment festered, her lips twisting in an artificial smile as she bit her tongue to keep her composure. Anger flared within her, but she chose to mask it behind a veneer of grace. Nicole, however, was unbothered. She calmly strolled through the store, wearing the dress with an air of confidence, subtly flaunting her newfound allure before Norah’s envious eyes. Gloria, now eager to dress her daughter further, began to gather beautiful pieces from the racks, draping them across Nicole's arms as waves of admiration washed over her. Meanwhile, Norah watched in frustration, ending up with a handful of outfits for herself—five or six at least—only to be stifled when Gloria bought just two for her, claiming she already owned plenty. Norah’s spirit waned further as she observed Gloria’s unwavering affection for Nicole. The day’s events felt like a relentless tide, and her jealousy bubbled dangerously close to the surface. “Mom, Norah? What are you doing here?” A voice cut through the air like a bell, and Gloria turned to see Steve, her son. “What are you up to?” she asked, a smile breaking across her face. “We’re here shopping. Did you miss me today?” Norah rushed over to latch onto Steve’s hand, attempting to showcase their closeness, but he swiftly pulled away, a flush of discomfort painted across his features. “Our company intends to invest in this mall, so I’m just doing a quick assessment with the management,” he explained, his focus shifting to business. Nicole, having heard of Steve’s reputation from Daniel, garnered the courage to greet him. “Hi, Steve!” she offered politely. Steve, inheriting his parents’ handsome genes, wore sleek gold-rimmed glasses that accentuated his charming features. Upon spotting Nicole, his face transformed with surprise and delight. “Ah, so that’s where the beauty hiding in our family came from.” Nicole chuckled lightly, finding the sweet nature of her brother endearing in a way she hadn’t expected. Norah’s demeanor soured at his words. “You’ve never complimented me like that, Steve.” Despite spending over a decade together under the same roof, they were strangers in many ways. Steve faltered for a moment before forcing a smile. “You know I’ve always appreciated how beautiful you are too, Norah,” he said, but his tone was lacking in sincerity. It was clear to anyone listening that Norah's beauty didn’t quite match up to Nicole’s glow. “Nicole, I’ve been swamped lately but when I’m back, I’ll take you out for dinner,” Steve promised. “Sounds great!” Nicole responded, her heart warming at the thought. With their greetings done, Steve tossed aside his pleasantries, diving back into his work. Gloria beamed with maternal pride as she observed her son’s dedication before turning back to Nicole with affection. “Steve’s quite the catch; he’s focused on making a name for himself. The fact that he wants to take you out for dinner speaks volumes about how much he cherishes you.” Those words ignited the flames of Norah’s jealousy even more. She couldn’t help but feel the sting of unfairness. Steve had hardly acknowledged her in years, yet appeared more than willing to shower his half-sister with affection. Was this truly the difference between a biological sister and a non-biological one? Why did it feel like the universe had tilted away from her? She was the one who had shared a home with Steve for most of her life—how could she still be seen as lesser? The weight of her thoughts hung heavily over her, leaving her in a tempest of envy and self-doubt.