You’ll Regret Stealing Him from Me — My Sister Who Took My Fiancé and Celebrated Was a Fool - Chapter 28

Several days after the exhausting party, the evaluations began to arrive. I read through the compiled reports.

This time was better than the last.

The moment I read those words, something twisted deep in my chest. It only seemed better because the last one had been so terrible. I understood immediately what they really meant.

You worked quite hard, didn’t you?

Worked hard.

The words stabbed through me. It was the kind of praise you’d give to a child who couldn’t do any better. Pity for someone without talent.

Well, this is about what we expected.

A fair assessment, they were saying. They weren’t disappointed because they hadn’t expected anything in the first place. A cold evaluation. There had been problems, but it was acceptable. No more, no less. Mediocre. Unremarkable. Nothing worth noting.

Compared to last time, this was more than enough.

Praise only because expectations had been low. No criticism because the bar had been set so far down. A frigid compliment. The word enough carried an implicit message: Don’t ask for more than this.

I slammed the report onto the desk.

This was outrageous. An insult. I worked so hard.

And yet, I still didn’t get what I wanted. Only sympathy, pity, and meaningless, hollow praise. Superficial words and empty encouragement.

What I truly wanted was the praise of perfection. The kind of recognition my sister received. That was what I craved.

While reviewing the evaluations, Roderick came to see me. He looked pleased. Why did he wear such a satisfied expression? I couldn’t understand.

“This time went rather well,” he said.

Had he even been there? Had he not seen the chaos around him?

It was riddled with problems. Frantic, without a shred of elegance. And he hadn’t noticed?

He wasn’t being sarcastic, he genuinely believed it had been a success. That fact only infuriated me further. This man understood nothing. Not the subtleties of high society, nor the essence of a proper party.

“…Yes,” I replied weakly.

Roderick nodded, satisfied. “Father didn’t say anything either. Let’s keep this up for the next one.”

Keep this up?

Another party just as disastrous? Another rushed, graceless mess?

Was success simply not being criticized? Was that his standard?

In his mind, was not causing a catastrophe the benchmark for success?

“Understood,” I answered obediently on the surface.

But inside, I seethed. You understand nothing.

“I’ll do my best next time as well.”

Roderick nodded again, content, and left.

Truly, you understand nothing. Not about high society, not about hosting parties. Because you never cared to learn. Because you think it has nothing to do with you.

What is success? What is true recognition? You don’t grasp any of it, you foolish man.

With such shallow thinking where success is merely the absence of criticism, you’ll never reach what I’m striving for. I’m the only one chasing it.

That night, I returned to my room.

I undressed and stared at my reflection in the mirror. Exhaustion lined my face. My makeup was smudged, my hair disheveled.

It’s finally over.

Somehow, I had endured the humiliation and suffering to see it through to the end. But in my heart, I knew. It had been nothing but a failure.

Everyone else called it enough. Even Roderick seemed satisfied.

But not me.

This wasn’t the recognition I wanted.

It had been riddled with problems, chaotic, utterly lacking in elegance.

“Better than last time.” “You’re trying.”

I never wanted such pitiful praise. What I craved was the word perfect. Brilliant. Magnificent. As expected of you. Heartfelt admiration and looks of respect.

—This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.

I was supposed to host flawless, dazzling parties. I was supposed to stand at the center of high society, just like my sister once did.

No, I was supposed to surpass her. Because I was prettier. Because I was more charming. Everyone agreed. In looks, I was superior.

So why?

Why couldn’t I achieve the same perfection as my sister?

“…How did she do it?”

The question swelled in my heart. There had to be a secret.

Plans, procedures, techniques. Meticulous attention to detail, consideration for guests, coordination with staff. All the hidden knowledge needed to craft the perfect party.

My sister had succeeded in hosting parties that earned high society’s praise. She had always been recognized. There had to be a reason.

The planning notes I had taken from Roderick’s desk, those were only fragments. There had to be more.

The study at our family home. My sister’s room. Something might still remain there. The documents she treasured. The vast expertise accumulated over years.

I would make it all mine.

Everything my sister had built I would take it. Then, I too could be perfect. If I possessed her secrets, I could do the same.

But…

A small voice whispered in the depths of my heart.

Isn’t that stealing?

“No.”

I shook my head. It wasn’t. This wasn’t stealing.

Because the world already believed those ideas were mine. Roderick, high society—everyone thought so. They believed my sister had stolen them from me.

So, I was only reclaiming what was rightfully mine. Taking back what should have been mine from the start. This was justified.

After all, my sister had stolen from me first.

That was how the world saw it. So, it was only natural I take it back. No need for hesitation. No need for guilt. I was simply exercising my rightful claim.

“That’s right.”

I nodded at my reflection.

“I’m only taking back what belongs to me.”

Then, I too could be perfect. Like my sister. No, I could surpass her.

Because I was prettier. Because I was more charming. If my sister could do it, there was no reason I couldn’t.

I just hadn’t known the right methods. The secrets.

The next party would be perfect. Not the pitiful praise of “You’re trying,” but the acclaim of “Flawless.”

—And for that, I would do anything.

The reflection staring back at me was filled with resolve. All my exhaustion, all my humiliation. I would turn them into strength.

Next time. Next time, I would achieve my perfection.

I would take everything from my sister once and for all and become the real thing.