Fifty one

Cassidy was at the back door with her friend, deep in deliberation over something important. Cassidy appeared uneasy, her brows jumping alertly as if on edge.

"Do you think she'll take the bait?" Heather glared at Cassidy.

Anxiousness painted Cassidy's face as she nervously bit her carmine red fingernails, but it was all a pretense.

"Heather, she's my sister. I don't think we should do this to her," Cassidy muttered, trying to act innocent. She pretended to be uncomfortable and softly asked them to stop, but deep down, she wanted it so badly. She wanted Hailey out of the picture.

To anyone observing, it would seem like Cassidy genuinely cared for Hailey and didn't want any harm to come her way. But in reality, it was quite the opposite.

"Step-sister," Heather sneered, correcting Cassidy's choice of words.

Cassidy quietly nodded in acknowledgement of the correction.

"She's just your half-sister, Cassidy. You don't need to panic. Besides, she doesn't even like you," another friend