Chapter One
>THE DARK UNVEILING
...The Engagement Party
"I thank you all for being here at my engagement party tonight."
Muse Vitale was standing at the stage in the centre of the lavishly decorated hall. She was wearing an elegant blue gown that shimmered when she moved, with matching accessories.
The lights in the space shone upon her gently, making her fair skin a flawless golden colour. She was happy as she addressed the crowd that had come to celebrate her twenty second birthday and also her engagement to her fiancé, Reed Seaman.
The hall was filled with family, friends, business associates and well wishers. Their eyes were glued to her, anticipating. She took a deep breath, composed herself and continued to speak in a steady voice.
"I am grateful to have such loving family and friends-"
"Theif!!" A voice screamed as a woman appeared at the entrance to the grand hall, drawing all eyes to the entrance. A hush fell over the crowd as the strikingly beautiful woman strode into the room.
She was dressed in a pepper red gown that accentuated her tall but thick curvy figure. Her long blonde hair contrasted sharply with the dress. Her confident steps echoed in the silence of the room as Muse stared at the unknown person.
"You!" The lady yelled at Muse. "You are a thief! You stole everything from me!!!" Muse's smile faltered in confusion.
"Steal?" She asked. "What did I steal from you?"
"My family!" She declared as whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Who are you?" Muse asked as her heart began to palpitate in her chest. An uneasy feeling of something foreboding washed over her.
The woman walked up to the foot of the stage and looked up at Muse with her piercing emerald eyes.
"My name is Colleen Shamar," she announced in a loud voice. "I am the real daughter of the Vitale family."
Shocked gasps filled the room and Muse's heart skipped a beat.
Mrs. Vitale, wearing a champagne colored dress rushed forward with a shocked gaze and pale face. "What are you saying?" she demanded from the intruder with trembling voice.
Colleen raised her chin and looked up at her. "I was switched as a baby at the hospital and sold to a childless couple overseas. When I found out the truth recently, I began to look for my parents. I recently found out the truth and I have come here tonight to reclaim my place."
Mrs. Vitale's hand flew to cover her mouth as she scanned Colleen's face. The tears were beginning to well up in her. "Those eyes..." Her voice trailed up as she stared dreamily.
The murmurs in the crowd grew louder as one of Muse's brother joined their mother, his brows furrowing. "That can not be…" he muttered.
"I have proof of it all," Colleen declared as she reached into her hand bag, pulled out a thick envelope and handed it over to Mrs Vitale. "Those are the DNA result match with the one you put up with the police and the hospital records."
Mrs. Vitale's hands stepped forward.
It was all coming to light.
Her hands trembled as she took the envelope from Colleen.
She opened it and glanced through.
That was all the confirmation that she needed. It was enough to confirm what her heart could not dare to believe.
"My daughter!" She wailed as the tears streamed down her. "My baby," she whispered.
She was sobbing as she embraced Colleen.
"You really came back to me."
Lucas and Michael, her brothers exchanged stunned glances.
"What is going on mother? You knew that Muse was switched?" Lucas asked.
"The mistake had been done. We could not find her then. Your father and I put up our DNA details with the police in case of this."
"Wow!' Michael whispered.
"I am glad that we did," Mrs Vitale whispered.
Meanwhile, Muse stood frozen on the stage as her hands tightly gripped the edge of the podium.
Muse had never known all along that she had been adopted or switched... or whatever.
Her parents had always treated her as if she was their own and never ever made her to feel like an outsider. But now, Colleen's sudden appearance might threaten to unravel everything.
The crowd immediately began buzzing with excitement as people approached Mrs. Vitale and Colleen and offered their congratulations to her for her newly found daughter.
Everyone instantly forgot about her and Muse felt invisible. Her spotlight had been stolen by this returned Colleen.
Reed Seaman, her fiance came up to the podium. "Are you all right?" he asked her softly.
She forced a smile.
"I am fine," she lied even though her throat tightened. Reed took her hands and led her down the stage to where her brothers stood still surprised.
Michael rubbed the back of his neck with his palms. "This is unexpected," he muttered.
"No kidding," Lucas added before he clenched his jaw. "Mom looks so shaken by everything."
Reed sighed. "We should let her handle this. It is a family matter."
Muse's stomach began to churn at his words. Was she not family anymore?
The hours blurred into a haze of introductions and celebrations for Colleen.
Everyone forgot the reason they had gathered there, to celebrate Muse's twenty second birthday and her engagement to Reed.
Everything was now about Colleen.
Muse watched from the sidelines amd her heart sank further with each passing moment.
Colleen was the perfect daughter.
She was elegant, and poised, and charming.
And she captivated everyone effortlessly, including the Vitale family.
Much later, as the guests departed, Muse stared hard at Mrs. Vitale who held Colleen's hand tightly. "You will come home with us," she insisted.
Colleen smiled warmly. "I would love to do that, Mother."
"Oh dear!" Mrs Vitale said as she placed a hand to her chest.
Muse walked away and went to stand near the staircase where she did not have to watch the scene unfold.
Her mother's joy was palpable, but it only served to deepen the hollow ache inside of her heart.
Mrs Vitale glanced at Muse minutes later. "Muse, come here," she told her with a big grin.
Muse walked over reluctantly, forcing her shoulders to stay straight.
"You will help Colleen to settle in, will you not?" she asked.
Muse nodded. "Of course, Mother." She flashed her a smile that suffocated her in the inside.
"Nice to meet you sister," Colleen said and embraced her suddenly.
Muse stiffened at her touch.
"Sorry for calling you a Theif and ruining your urm... Birthday party."
Muse heard the underlying sarcasm.
She felt this sense of unease in Colleen's arms.
When she pulled back, Muse forced a mirthless laugh. "Nice to meet you too sister. Welcome to the family."
Colleen looked at her with a polite smile. "Thank you, Sister Muse. It means a lot to me."
Muse bit back a sharp retort and instead managed to nod. "Welcome home, Colleen."
As the Vitale family led Colleen out of the hall, bootlicking her, Muse lingered behind.
The lights in the hall gleamed beautifully.
Today was supposed to be her happy day, but Colleen had ruined all of that hope.
Her heart was heavy, unsettled.
Reed approached her. "Muse, you were incredible tonight."
She let out a bitter laugh.
"Was I? I hardly remember what happened after Colleen walked in."
He smiled at her. "What is wrong?" She shook her head. "Do not worry about Colleen. You will always be important to this family."
"We will see, Reed. We will see."
She followed Reed outside where she watched as Colleen and the rest of the family climbed into the limousine. It pulled away after and a sinking feeling settled in Muse's guts.
They did not take her.
It wasn't even twenty four hours yet and still she had so quickly been forgotten.