CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
KISS'S POV
I am Kissabel Hilson. The name carries weight, expectation, and an invisible crown I never asked for—but I intend to wear it well. As the eldest daughter of three of the most powerful companies in V City, I was destined to inherit an empire that could crush most competitors with a single decision. On paper, my life was perfect: wealth, privilege, recognition,fame andmany more I couldn't just name them. But reality, as I quickly learned, is rarely kind to those who rely on inheritance alone.
When I was nine, my world shattered. My mother—my anchor, my home,my everything —vanished without warning. Gone. No goodbyes, no explanations, no caution, just a hollow space where love and safety had once been. My father, grieving—or so I thought—remarried soon after. Ms. Angela Smith arrived with her daughter, Emmanuella Smith, who was barely seven, and like a storm, they tore through my childhood home, leaving ruin in their wake.
The moment they stepped inside our mansion, my life suddenly changed forever.
My father, once gentle and warm, became cold,distant and emotionless towards me. The soft eyes that used to watch me with pride were replaced with ones that seemed to weigh my every misstep, waiting for me to fail. Angela and her daughter took full advantage, honing their skills in subtle cruelty, in whispered jabs, in calculated smiles that masked venom. My home, once my sanctuary, became a battlefield.
I could have crumbled. I could have surrendered to despair,to weakness. Many nights, I thought I would. But I didn't.
Instead, I learned to fight smarter, to move silently but strike with precision. I channeled every humiliation, every moment of neglect, every glance of disapproval into determination. I excelled in school, topping every class, earning recognition that made my stepsister's envy impossible to hide. She could sneer, she could whisper behind my back, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me break.
When I turned eighteen, I moved out. I rented a small but comfortable apartment, my first real taste of freedom. I built my life on my terms, earning my keep and shaping my future. And I found a friend who became more than a sister—Augustina. She saw me, the real me, beyond the heiress title, and never judged. We shared laughter, secrets, and dreams of a future where no one could hold us back.
Currently, I am a top student at Standrous International, the most prestigious school in the city, where wealth and intelligence collide. Scholarships exist for brilliant minds who can't pay tuition, but I've never relied on charity. Everything I've achieved is mine—earned, hard-fought, and unshakable. I am Kissabel Hilson, and I refuse to be invisible.
Yet, even amidst my independence, love has found me. My boyfriend, the one who has stood by me through everything, is steadfast, loyal, and devoted. We've been together for almost five years, and our bond is unbreakable. Next week marks not only our anniversary but also the celebration of our company's success. It is the perfect opportunity—I tell myself—to show him to my family, to remind my father that I am capable, deserving, and able to bring honor to the family name despite the obstacles Angela and Emmanuella have placed before me.
I am not naïve. I know what to expect. Angela and Emmanuella will attempt to humiliate me, to assert dominance, to undermine every accomplishment I have made. But I am ready. Tonight, I will step into that mansion not as a girl burdened by cruelty, but as a woman who commands respect in every step she takes.
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THE UPCOMING CELEBRATION
The Hilson mansion glimmered under the evening lights, alive with preparations for the grand celebration. The scent of blooming orchids mixed with the rich aroma of gourmet cuisine. Servants hurried past, carrying trays of champagne and arranging flower bouquets with meticulous precision. Every detail reflected the status and power of the Hilson name—but behind the polished elegance, tension simmered.
Emmanuella Hilson sat in the drawing room, a crystal glass of wine in hand, her posture impeccable, her thoughts consumed by plans far darker than the celebration warranted. Since learning I would attend, she had meticulously plotted my embarrassment, envisioning every reaction, every moment she could humiliate me in front of our family.
Angela approached, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. She rested a hand on Emmanuella's shoulder, startling her daughter from her scheming.
"What are you thinking, smiling like that, Ella?" Angela asked, her tone deceptively light.
Emmanuella's lips curled into a smug grin. "I'm thinking of inviting my fiancé to the celebration, Mom."
Angela's eyes narrowed sharply. "You never told me you loved that boy. We both know he's Kiss' boyfriend."
Emmanuella rolled her eyes, feigning annoyance. "When did you start supporting her, Mom? I thought you said you would always support me, no matter what."
Angela's smile was careful, measured. "I'm not supporting her, dear. But we must be cautious—not ruin your father's celebration."
A sly grin spread across Emmanuella's face. "Then we'll blame Kiss if anything goes wrong. She'll react when she finds out I'm secretly dating her boyfriend. That's when my plan works, Mom."
Angela studied her daughter, weighing her ambition. "I hope it works as you've planned, Ella. Don't make mistakes you'll regret."
Emmanuella's confidence never wavered. "Don't worry, Mom. With your support, everything will go as planned. I just need to go shopping now. See you this evening."
She walked away, heels clicking with an arrogance I had learned to recognize as dangerous.
I watched from the shadows of my memories—each echo of my childhood, every slight and betrayal, every moment of humiliation—strengthened my resolve. Tonight, I would not be a victim. Tonight, I would remind everyone who Kissabel Hilson truly is.
Because despite wealth, family, or betrayal, I am more than my circumstances. I am strong. I am intelligent. I am unstoppable.
And this celebration? It is only the beginning of my story.