Chapter 3 Wedding Day Prank

Serena

I woke up with a jolt, heart pounding.

There were claw marks on my window sill. Deep, fresh, like something had tried to break in—or leave a warning. My fingers trembled as I reached out, brushing the jagged lines. Cold air seeped through the crack. I wrapped my shawl tighter around me and backed away.

It was the wedding day.

Vivian’s big day. Her dream. Her golden ticket. The palace was already buzzing with servants, decorators, and strangers dressed in velvet and silk. I should’ve been asleep longer, but the claw marks had made sure of that. Or maybe it was the memory of last night—their voices, their cruel laughter—that refused to let me rest.

The triplets.

Rhys. Callum. Dominic.

I could still hear their footsteps outside my room, like they’d been pacing.

"We see you," one had whispered near my window. Or maybe I imagined it. Maybe not.

At breakfast, everything seemed calm. Too calm.

The dining hall looked like something out of a royal fairytale. Massive chandeliers, a long table lined with silverware and golden plates. The food was rich and warm. I barely touched it.

"Eat, Serena," Callum said sweetly, pushing a plate toward me.

Rhys leaned in. "Don’t insult the chef. He cried last time someone wasted his eggs."

I blinked, unsure if they were joking or serious.

Dominic slid a juice glass closer. "You’ll need energy. Big day today. Your mom’s marrying our dad."

"It’s not my big day," I muttered.

"But it’s ours," Rhys smirked. "We’re getting a new sister. Should celebrate."

I glanced across the table. Marcus and Vivian were deep in conversation, laughing like they were the king and queen of the world. They didn’t notice the way Rhys nudged my foot under the table. Or how Callum kept brushing his arm against mine every time he reached for something.

"Serena!" Vivian’s voice rang out suddenly. "Darling, why aren’t you dressed yet?"

I swallowed. "I— I wasn’t sure what to wear."

She waved her hand. "Wear something simple. You're not the bride. Don’t ruin the mood."

I flinched. "I just wanted to—"

"Please," she snapped. "Not today."

Of course not. Not today. Not on her day.

---

The ceremony was a blur.

I stood off to the side in a pale blue dress too thin for the cold. Strangers whispered around me. The triplets stood like sentinels behind their father, perfect in black suits. Smiling. Charming.

And watching me.

Every time I caught their gaze, I looked away.

Then the toasts began. Wine flowed. Music played. Dancers spun in circles of silk and grace. I kept to the edge of the ballroom.

"You’re not drinking," Callum noted, stepping beside me. His smile was too wide.

"I’m fine," I said.

"Try this," Dominic said, offering a crystal flute. "Made special for the occasion."

I hesitated.

"Don’t be rude," Rhys whispered near my ear, so close I jumped. "It’s a toast. To family."

So I drank.

The taste was sweet, but my throat burned. My head felt light, like feathers were tickling my brain. The room began to spin. Laughter got louder. My own heartbeat echoed in my ears.

And then—the prank.

I don’t know how it started. Only that it ended with me in the middle of the ballroom, confused and dizzy. Someone had spilled red punch down my front. My heels were gone. A tiara had been shoved on my head.

"Smile, Princess!" Rhys shouted. Flash.

Laughter exploded. I turned slowly, heart cracking in my chest. People were watching. Whispering. Laughing.

Callum stepped back with mock concern. "She’s had too much. Someone help the poor girl."

I tried to walk but stumbled. My vision blurred.

"What’s wrong, Serena? Can’t hold your royal wine?"

Tears stung the corners of my eyes. I pushed through the crowd, dizzy and shaking, until I found the corridor leading to Vivian’s suite.

---

"Mom!" I banged on the door.

She opened it, still glowing from the ceremony, a white veil draped over her arm.

"Serena, what—?"

"They spiked my drink! They humiliated me! You didn’t see what they—"

She held up her hand. "Don’t ruin my night."

"Vivian—"

Her voice dropped. "You always do this. Drama. Guilt. Can’t you let me be happy for one day? One."

My lips trembled. "I didn’t—"

"Go sleep it off," she snapped. "Don’t make Marcus regret taking us in."

She shut the door.

I stood there for a moment, blinking at the wood.

"It's better for you without me here." I whispered enough for her to hear.

"Yeah, go back to you father's house the one you love so much, for all I care don't ruin my new life.

Thats it, thats all i need to here from then I turned. Walked. Packed. And decided to leave.

Back to my old father house.

---

The gates were cold and tall, wrapped in vines and silver. My suitcase was light. I hadn’t brought much.

I stepped out into the night air.

"Going somewhere, little rabbit?"

My heart stopped. The triplets stood by the gate, blocking the path.

Rhys stepped forward first. His voice softer than ever. "We were just playing."

"It was a joke," Callum added. "Not supposed to go that far."

Dominic rubbed the back of his neck. "We didn’t think you’d leave."

I stared at them. "You embarrassed me in front of everyone. You spiked my drink. You mocked me and still expectme to stay?"

"We’re sorry," Rhys said. "Seriously."

Callum sighed. "We’re... not used to new people. Especially not sisters."

I frowned. "Sisters? Is that what this is?"

Rhys stepped closer. His voice dropped low. "Look. We don’t know what this is. But we didn’t do all this because we hate you."

"Then why?" I asked.

Dominic looked at me. Something flickered in his gaze—pain? Fear?

"You make things... complicated," he said.

The wind rustled behind us. The trees groaned.

"Yes, that's why I'm leaving for everyone's sake..." I said but was cut off.

"No, thats not it, we...we think—" Callum began, then stopped.

"We need to talk," Rhys said. "Really talk."

"About what?" I asked my heart banging.

They looked at each other then keep quite.

After what seems like forever Rhys turned to me and said, his voice barely a whisper—

"Because we think... you might be something more than a sister."

My heart skip a beat.

I stared at him with open eyes.

"What, what can I ne to you beside your annoying step sister?" I laughed Needing answers.

"You're out mate, little rabbit." Callum said with a serious face.

And the suitcase fell from my hand.