Second Chance: An Heiress Reborn

After breakfast had finished, Amara turned to her beloved daughter.

"Sweetie, I know school starts soon for you. I transferred some money to your card so that you can do a little bit of shopping today."

Alessia smiled happily and clapped her hands together, before hugging her mom.

"Thanks, momma! I'll go shopping today!"

Caterina saw an opportunity to be alone with Alessia, and she wasted no time in taking it.

"Ah, I could go with you! I also have some shopping to do before school starts."

Amara looked at her niece with sharp eyes but she chose not to say anything. She knew the Alessia was very close to Amara and that reprimanding the deceitful and sly young lady would cause fighting between herself and her daughter. Instead she turned to her own daughter and patted her on the head.

" Be careful while you're outside, darling."

At the same time, the men of the house, save for grandfather who was retired, got up from the table to make their way to work. Amara handed her husband his briefcase, and gave him a goodbye kiss, before going over to hug her son. Both Alexander hugged his daughter goodbye, wishing his father a good day and left. Noah, patted his younger sister's head gently.

"I will work out all the paperwork, and work out a schedule that doesn't interfere with your class schedule."

"Mmhmm! I'll send you my class schedule by the end of tomorrow. I just need to make a few adjustments.''

Noah nodded, before saying goodbye to his grandfather, and walking out behind his father. With that, Amara, kissed Alessia on the forehead, before hurrying off to her study. Amara was a prominent writer who had multiple best sellers. She worked from home, and had to have online meetings with her publisher frequently.

Caterina looked on at the warm scene, seething in jealousy. Her own father had said farewell to grandfather, coldly ignoring his wife and daughter, before leaving the house. Victoria bit her lip, and left the room in a fit, without paying respect to grandfather. Caterina was left there alone, her clenched fists hiding under the table. She turned to her grandfather with a fake smile on her face.

"Grandpa, let me he-"

"Grandfather, let me help you back to your room. I want to speak to you some more about my role in the company"

Alessia threw a glance in Caterina's direction as she linked arms with Grandpa Leo and walked hm to his room.

" We can meet down here at 10 to go shopping."

With that cold statement, Caterina was left alone, the warn dining room, now freezing cold. Her eyes filled with hatred, and her lip was harshly caught by her teeth. She could barely stop herself from trembling in anger.

Ever since she was a child, all she had ever wanted was love and adoration. From her family, from the public, form the world. But it was always given to Alessia. She was a beauty, one of the most beautiful in the city. She was naturally intelligent, capable of scoring in the first place over and over with minimal effort. She was the city's sweetheart and adored by her family.

And what about Caterina?

She was beautiful too, but not as beautiful as Alessia. The only thing she had over Alessia, was her very curvaceous body. She was smart too, but not as smart as Alessia. Only after cheating, and paying people off could her grades even rival Alessia's. But she didn't have the love of the public, she didn't even have the love of her misogynistic father, who disliked her mother for not having a son, and disliked her for not being a boy.

How was it fair?!

Why could Alessia have everything, while she had to settle for nothing? The hate had come to the service, distorting her lips into a monstrous grimace, She hated her! As long as Alessia existed, she could never be happy. That's why she would take everything from her. Only after destroying Alessia could she shine. Only after taking the company and placing it into her father's hands, could he see her worth. Only after taking her man, could Alessia know what it feels like to have nothing!

Caterina took a deep breath before running back up the stairs to prepare for the outing.

+++++

Around 10 am, the two girls met each other in the living room. Caterina was wearing a pale yellow dress that fit her body rather snugly. Her dark brown hair was cut to shoulder length. She also wore a lot of jewelry, from large earrings to clunky bracelets. She always dressed extravagantly when she left the house, but she felt inferior when she finally took a good look at what Alessia was dressed in since breakfast. Why did she look so elegant in a simple pink dress and a singular hairpin? Jealousy rose in Caterina, but she tried hard to look worried.

"Alessia, what are you wearing? You know how Nicolas feels about women who flaunt their wealth. He like plain and simple women."

Alessia's eyes seemed to get darker, but when Caterina tried to look again, it was gone. It must have been imagined. She looked down at the outfit, before looking up at Caterina in confusion.

"My outfit isn't over the top or too extravagant. And as you know, as a lady of the Cargona family, I can't bring any shame to our family"

"I think you look beautiful, Alessia"

Her mother's voice surprised both girls', causing them to turn in her direction. She elegantly walked towards the girls, side eyeing Caterina.

" Or should my daughter wear hand me downs to please a man?"

Caterina's face turned red, as she stumbled over her words before finally falling silent. She turned to give a pleading look to Alessia. To her surprise, Alessia was ignoring her completely, not saying a word in her defense.

Amara looked at her daughter with worried eyes. She knew about this boy Nicolas but didn't think that he was worthy of her child. She had watched her child withdraw into the background, ignore and distance herself from her family, and be disliked by others all for a man who did nothing to protect her. Having married to the love of her life, a man who gave her everything, she wanted the same for her only daughter. She couldn't control her daughter but she could warn her.

"A man shouldn't ask you to lower yourself to match his status. He should lift himself to match yours."

Amara sighed, preparing herself to hear her daughter defend that useless man. Caterina, forgetting about her earlier embarrassment, got ready to watch a fight between mother and daughter. But, to everyone's surprise, Alessia's next words were absolutely unexpected.

"Momma, I-I think you might be right. I don't want to change myself for a man"'

Her voice sounded soft and hesitant, and her eyes held doubt. But her heart was resolute. In this life, if she ever loved again, it would be a man worthy of her.

"But you love him!! You can't just give up! If you want him to love you back, you must make sacrifices"

The desperation in Caterina's voice was palpable. The mother and daughter pair looked at her in confusion.

"What does this have to do with you? Why are you so invested?"

Amara was suspicious, her voice becoming strong and fierce. Caterina shrunk back realizing her mistake. Alessia stood back and watched for a minute, admiring her mother's strength and wondering how she could have been so stupid as to fall for Caterina's tricks. But she couldn't let this go too far. Caterina still had to believe that she had control. The best moment to lose everything is when you believe you have everything.

"Momma, I'm sure that Caterina just wants my happiness. Don't be so harsh with her."

Alessia defended Caterina, making her relieved. So, Alessia, was still stupid enough to trust her, she would take advantage!

"Yes auntie, I'm just looking out for her!"

Amara was exasperated at the situation, but had no choice but to let it go.

"Alright then, I'll leave you girls be for now. Be safe out there.''

She gave her daughter a hug not even sparing Caterina a glance before turning around to leave. Caterina gritted her teeth in anger, before turning to Alessia.

"What's this about not changing for a man? You know that love takes sacrifice! Don't let your mother fool you. She doesn't care about you, she just wants you to marry a rich man who doesn't love you!"

Alessia looked at her without saying a word. In her past life, she would have believed those words, but not this time around. Caterina took her silence as agreeing, and nodded satisfied. As long as Alessia was in her grasp, their was a chance.

"Since you hear me, let's go shopping hmm?"

With that, Caterina walked out of the house, Alessia following behind with a sneer on her face.

Fool!