I knew I was causing a scene, stirring up whispers among the crowd, but I didn’t care. I needed them all to see the truth—that Clara isn’t innocent as she seems to be.
“You’re so fake!” I spat. “Don’t show your face here again. I know you’re not as innocent as you pretend to be!”
“Elena, please calm down,” Clara said softly, feigning innocence. “I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m just here to celebrate with you. Why are you pushing me away?”
Ms. Rossi hurried over, trying to pull me back, but I shrugged off her hand, my glare locked on Clara.
“Cut the crap!” I shot back, my eyes blazing. “I know you’re just here to get attention from the brothers. You stole them from me, stealing their loyalty, twisting their minds. But you can’t fool me!”
“Elena, that’s enough,” Marco’s voice cut through the air as he approached us, but I didn’t even look his way.
Then, suddenly, the massive cake rolled out, towering and elaborate, stopping right in front of us. Clara took the chance to respond.
“Elena, I don’t know what you’re trying to say. I’m sorry if you feel jealous of the attention they give me, but… I have no feelings for them.” She gave me a sickly sweet smile, one that only I seemed to notice was fake, while everyone else was blind to it.
"Liar! You’re a manipulator, and there’s no way you’ll fool me with your lies!" I shouted, unable to hold back my anger any longer. I stepped even closer, unable to stand the sight of her smug face.
She had the nerve to wear such an attention-grabbing dress: bold red, clinging to every curve, revealing her cleavage and a high slit on the side that showed off her long legs. It was clear she enjoyed the attention.
"Elena, enough! You’re causing a scene!" Enzo shouted angrily, his voice full of frustration. Both brothers now glared at me, their anger fully focused on me. My attention shifted to them, but just as I glanced back, Clara suddenly screamed.
“Ouch! That hurts!” she cried out dramatically, her voice laced with pain.
I turned back to her, but by the time I realized what had happened, it was too late. Since we were standing so close, she had subtly pushed me, but it was hidden by the folds of my large gown. To everyone else, it looked like I had pushed her. I lost my balance as I accidentally stepped on my gown’s hem, and with a gasp, I toppled backward—straight into the enormous cake.