Juliette hummed softly as she seriously brushed her long, wavy brown hair, making sure to tie it neatly. She glanced at her phone near her jewelry box and saw several message notifications from her close friends. Intending to check all those messages after breakfast, Juliette rose from her vanity chair and left her bedroom.

A bright morning in a city like New York is the best way for anyone to start their day enthusiastically, including Juliette. Juliette considered taking the bus if only her stepfather, Anthony, would allow it. Unfortunately, the reputation of her new family was very important, and Juliette had to restrain herself and not make her new family dislike her even more.

For the first time, feeling light-hearted, Juliette descended the stairs. She continued to the dining room, where everyone was already seated. Juliette cleared her throat softly and hid the smile that had adorned her face since she woke up.

She couldn't show that today was her happy day-her birthday-to everyone, not when Juliette was sure her stepfamily had more important things than her birthday. At least she still had friends who cared deeply for her. Her mother? Juliette couldn't hope for much since, as the new lady of the De Lavigne household, Meryl Addison had to prioritize her new family over her biological daughter.

Juliette had accepted this situation since she first set foot in the De Lavigne family mansion at the age of ten and had grown accustomed to being treated as an outsider, especially by her stepbrother, Robbin. However, his treatment changed when they entered their teenage years. As the heir to a family with significant influence in the world, Robbin was required to behave like a noble and wouldn't associate with someone like her.

Especially after Robbin entered the entertainment world and became a popular actor, it created a distance between them. Sometimes, he would visit her room and give her surprise gifts that made Juliette happy. Sometimes, he would suddenly pick her up from school, making all the girls at her school scream excitedly. Those were just memories now because the distance between them returned as they grew older.

They were back to being strangers who didn't know each other, much like in their childhood, although Juliette often caught Robbin glancing at her during meals. Despite this, Juliette missed their interactions, as they were still siblings, and Anthony wanted them to get along.

"Good morning," Juliette greeted as she entered the dining room.

Everyone was already seated and busy chewing their breakfast. No one responded to her greeting or acknowledged her presence. In addition to Anthony's immediate family, the mansion also housed several other De Lavigne family members, and out of all of them, only Daisy, the daughter of William De Lavigne and his wife, Adalyn, had conversations with Juliette, along with Robbin, her mother, and Anthony.

A soft sigh escaped Juliette's lips. This treatment shouldn't ruin her mood. She had to remember that today was her birthday, and she officially turned twenty-three, signifying her adulthood and the fulfillment of her agreement with her mother.

Juliette planned to rent an apartment near the studio where she worked as a designer, a plan she had discussed since she was nineteen. She couldn't wait to make it happen.

Juliette walked to an empty chair beside Robbin, who looked handsome in his blazer and white shirt. He was busy sipping coffee from his cup and reading the news on his phone, but when he heard the chair pulled out and Juliette sitting down, he set his cup down and turned to her.

"Happy birthday, sis."

A smile slowly bloomed on Juliette's face, as the once-cold man who hadn't accepted her was now open and even remembered her birthday.

"Thank you, Robbin. So, will you give me a present?" Juliette asked excitedly, then turned to the servant who placed a glass of orange juice on the table. Juliette lifted the glass to her lips with a grateful smile but paused when she heard Robbin's response.

"I will give it to you tonight. I heard Meryl is throwing a small party to celebrate your birthday." Robbin confirmed his words by nodding toward Meryl, who was busy serving her husband.

Juliette rolled her eyes and asked, "Are you not busy today?"

"No. I will meet with my agency to discuss a contract. I have an offer for a new movie."

"Really? Wow! You're amazing, Robbin!"

Robbin chuckled softly and put his phone back in his blazer pocket. "Aren't you going to ask what role I'll play?"

Juliette drank her orange juice while shaking her head slightly. "Let it be a surprise."

Robbin nodded briefly and started eating his untouched breakfast. "So, what will you do to celebrate your birthday, Jule?"

"Robbin, did you tell Juliette about my plans?" Meryl suddenly asked from the seat across them, her eyes narrowing sharply.

Anthony laughed and gently rubbed his wife's shoulder. "It's alright, my dear. You know we haven't seen Robbin join us for a long time. Besides, you intended to tell Juliette after breakfast." Meryl pouted at her husband's words but chose to give in.

"Happy birthday, Jule," Daisy said from her seat.

Some other family members glanced briefly at her with disdainful looks before acting as if she wasn't there. Without making a sound, Juliette smiled and mouthed, 'Thank you, D.' Daisy nodded before resuming her breakfast.

After the rather boring breakfast, Juliette returned to her room to prepare for work. She remembered to open the messages sent by all her friends. Reading them one by one made Juliette's mood even better. She opened the last message from one of her friends at the studio, frowning slightly as she read it.

"It's your birthday today, let's celebrate with a party! -Amber"

Juliette winced and scratched her head. Didn't her mother want to throw a party for her birthday tonight? Juliette replied to Amber with that thought, informing her friend about her mother's plan. Juliette was grateful that at least she wasn't completely forgotten by her mother.

There was a knock on the door, and shortly after, it opened to reveal the woman she had just been thinking about. Meryl walked into the room with her graceful and classy appearance, fitting her role as the lady and wife of the De Lavigne family.

"Mom? What's up?"

Meryl stopped near the ottoman and sat down, looking at her daughter with a difficult-to-describe expression. "You know I'm throwing a party for you, right?"

"Yes, Robbin told me." Meryl nodded briefly and signaled to the servant standing by the door.

The servant disappeared momentarily before returning with a box in her hands. She entered the room and handed the box to Meryl before returning to her place. Meryl caressed the box's surface before opening it, then showed its contents to Juliette.

"A mask?" Juliette murmured, confused.

Meryl nodded and stood up, taking a few steps towards Juliette and fitting the specially ordered mask on her face.

After finishing, Meryl examined Juliette's face. She said, "Yes, I initially planned a regular party for you, but the entire De Lavigne family wanted a masquerade party. They thought it would be more festive. You know I can't do anything about it. They are superior, even though we are part of this family."

"I know."

Meryl smiled and stroked Juliette's head, who had grown into a beautiful woman with a kind and polite demeanor. "I'm proud of you, Ette. I haven't said this to you much since we moved into this house, but you are my only daughter. I don't regret giving birth to you, baby girl."

"Mom..." Juliette murmured emotionally and spontaneously hugged the woman she had called mother since she could speak. "I love you, mom..."

"I love you too, Ette. Happy birthday," Meryl murmured in a choked voice. "I'm sure your father is proud to see you grow up. He's probably smiling from heaven, watching you right now."

"Do you miss Dad?"

Meryl played with a strand of Juliette's hair deliberately left loose to frame her pretty face. "Of course, your father was my true love. Nothing can compare to my love for him, not even my love for Anthony."

"I know." Juliette smiled broadly, showing her teeth.

Meryl kissed Juliette's forehead and continued, "Your dress will arrive this afternoon. You can invite your friends to liven up the party."

"Thank you, mom."

Meryl nodded before leaving the room while Juliette busied herself, admiring the mask her mother had given her. After admiring the mask's design, Juliette put it back in the box. She informed her friends about the masquerade party that night. It was a sudden announcement, but most of her friends were fashion-savvy, so it wasn't a problem.

Juliette placed the box with her mother's gift on the vanity table and left the room. Today, she would go to work with full enthusiasm.

...