Chapter 2 The Night She Was Taken

"Well, look at that," Cloe muttered as the severed strands slipped from her fingers and fell onto the floor. Satisfaction showed on her face as she stepped away from her sister.

"How... how could you do this to me?" Kiara asked through trembling tears. Her eyes stayed fixed on the floor where the long strands of her hair were scattered.

"You know what?" Cloe said with a loud laugh. "I was mistaken before. Short hair makes you look terrible. Meanwhile, I'm still the beautiful one."

"What is going on in here?" Samantha's voice cut through the room as she stepped inside Kiara's bedroom. Her expression immediately turned sour.

"Mother..." Cloe greeted her with a knowing smile.

"Kiara, you actually cut your hair!" Samantha snapped. "Are you trying to copy your sister's haircut? This only proves how jealous you are of your sister!"

"No, Mother... I didn't cut it. She..."

"Enough! You keep disappointing me more every day." She looked at Kiara with open contempt. Then she turned toward Cloe. "Cloe, go get ready. You have an engagement to attend."

Her finger pointed at Kiara. "And you, Kiara. For once in your life, try behaving like a proper Watson." Without waiting for another word, Samantha walked out, leaving Kiara no chance to defend herself or explain what had happened.

"Enjoy the moment while you can, little sister," Cloe said with a mocking tone as she started toward the door.

"Cloe!" Kiara called after her. Pain weighed down her voice.

"What is it now, Kiara? The guests are waiting for their queen, and that queen happens to be me," Cloe replied without a hint of concern.

"We're sisters. We share the same blood. Tell me... how can you hate me this much?"

"Still trying to figure it out?" Cloe lifted a brow and smirked. "You're more cunning than you pretend to be." With that parting remark, she turned and walked away, satisfied with what she had done. Yet even as she left, the bitterness she carried toward her sister burned stronger inside her.

All the strength left Kiara at once, and she sank to her knees beside the scattered strands of her hair. A hollow ache spread through her chest as she realized her family didn't care. To them, her feelings meant nothing. The last place she wanted to be tonight was that party. Still, she had no choice but to go. Refusing would only give her mother another reason to cut off the money that paid for her university. Without that support, her dream of becoming a Digital Animation Designer would vanish. Animation meant more to her than anyone in that house could understand.

Every day she looked after her little sister, Lia. At night, the two of them curled up together to watch princess cartoons. Lia adored those stories, and Kiara's imagination always ran wild while watching them. Deep down, she believed she could turn that creativity into something real.

"I gave you my word, Grandpa," Kiara whispered. "I promised I'd chase my dreams and walk away from this place with my head held high. I won't break that promise." She wiped the tears from her cheeks and inhaled slowly, forcing herself to steady her emotions.

Before everything fell apart, her grandfather had been the one person who truly cared for her. Kiara held a special place in his heart. When he died from a sudden heart attack, that small piece of happiness vanished, and her life slowly became unbearable.

Her hair hung loose over her shoulders as she stepped out of her room. She kept her usual clothes. Jeans, a loose shirt, and worn sneakers were all she wore as she walked into the lavish party filled with the city's elite. Curious stares followed her the moment she entered, and many looked at her as if she didn't belong.

"The moment my mother notices me, I'm definitely going to be punished," Kiara murmured under her breath while quietly observing the graceful women gathered around the hall.

"Mother!" Cloe called out the moment she spotted Kiara across the room. The sight of her sister in casual clothes immediately irritated her and threatened to ruin the evening she had planned.

"Cloe, sweetheart, you look absolutely stunning tonight. Go greet the guests properly. Tonight is important, and you need to secure a husband as soon as possible."

"I didn't walk over here just to hear something I already know, Mom. What you should really do is take a look at your other daughter. That woman is humiliating this family. Just look at her. With that ridiculous short hair, she resembles me even more now. Fix this problem immediately."

"Lower your voice and control yourself," Samantha scolded sharply after witnessing her outburst. "I'll deal with it."

She began moving toward Kiara, but a guest suddenly stepped in front of her to greet her politely. The interruption instantly irritated her, yet she forced a courteous smile and exchanged a few brief words. After ending the conversation, she glanced toward the place where Kiara had been standing.

"Where did she go?" Samantha muttered while scanning the crowded room.

"Sir, please let go of me!" Kiara struggled as she tried to pull her arm free from the large man gripping her firmly.

"Miss Watson, running away won't change anything. Your destiny can't be avoided."

"Destiny?" Kiara repeated in confusion while trying to twist out of his hold as he dragged her toward the mansion's exit. "I don't even know what you're talking about!" she shouted. "Let go of me right now, or... my escorts will deal with you!"

"I have official authorization to take you, Miss Watson!"

"This can't be happening! You can't force me to go with you! This is kidnapping! Someone help me!" Kiera's shout barely echoed before the man pressed a handkerchief firmly over her mouth, cutting off the rest of her cries.

"Your father warned me you might cause trouble," the man said calmly as he forced her into the car. "He said you wouldn't cooperate." Desperation flashed across Kiara's face. She blinked and tried to speak through the cloth, but no words came. A strange weakness spread through her body as she struggled to stay awake.

The sharply dressed man settled behind the wheel and started the engine. Escape was impossible. Every door was locked, and the handkerchief carried a faint perfume that slowly made her head spin.

"Sir... please... don't hurt me..." Kiara pleaded weakly as her body slumped to one side until she was lying across the back seat.

"I'm simply doing what I was instructed to do, miss," he replied without emotion while keeping his eyes on the road.

"Instructed...?" she whispered with difficulty. Her vision blurred, and the world around her seemed to double. The dizziness worsened, forcing her to shut her eyes for a moment.

"The person I work for is already waiting to see you," the man said with a faint smile. "You made a serious mistake, and now you'll have to deal with the consequences."

"I... I didn't do anything wrong." Kiara struggled to say while attempting to push herself upright. "Please... just let me go."

"There's no point resisting, Miss Watson. From this moment forward, you belong to Mr. Villarreal."

The name struck her like a sudden jolt. Hearing it reminded her of the conversation she had once overheard between her father and Cloe.

"Sir, you've made a mistake. I'm not Cloe. Please... don't take me to that Mr. Villarreal."

"Well, at least you still have a sense of humor," the man muttered as he glanced at her through the rearview mirror. Kiara had already lost consciousness. Her head rested against the seat as sleep overtook her.

A short while later, the bodyguard named Jason guided the car through the gates of a lavish mansion located on the quiet outskirts of the city.

The residence stood out with its rustic design, which somehow made the entire place appear even more captivating.

Once the vehicle came to a stop, Jason stepped out and opened the back door. He carefully lifted Kiara into his arms and carried her toward the grand entrance.

"You finally made it!" the housekeeper, Mercedes, exclaimed with clear worry in her voice.

"It wasn't exactly easy," Jason replied with a tired breath. "Miss Watson put up some resistance, and the place was crowded. Fortunately, she didn't cause too much trouble at the beginning." A long sigh escaped him. "My task is done."

"Mr. Villarreal is in a terrible mood tonight. I have a feeling this evening will be exhausting for everyone. He ordered me to take her straight to her room the moment you arrived. He's already waiting for her."