This was going to be a strange story.
A story that defied reason, and yet, one that Nattalie Huang could never escape.
Born into the powerful Huang group — a family of wealth, pride, and perfection — Nattalie had inherited more than privilege.
She had inherited a curse.
A curse born from sin.
Passed down from one generation of Huang women to the next — a legacy of shame that could never be erased.
Her life had been perfect until now. The world adored her, envied her. She was beautiful, intelligent, and destined for greatness.
But beneath the glittering surface, Nattalie lived with a fear so deep, it suffocated her.
A fear that someone, someday, might discover who she truly was.
And that night — the night of her sixteenth birthday, Christmas Eve, beneath the glow of a perfect full moon — her nightmare began.
Everything had been prepared to perfection. The grandest party in the history of the Huang family. The chandeliers sparkled, the guests laughed, and the air smelled like champagne and roses.
It should have been the happiest day of her life.
None of her family dared tell her the truth — the truth that every woman in the Huang bloodline was cursed. A curse that would awaken on the sixteenth birthday, witnessed by the light of a full moon.
That night, sitting before her mirror, Nattalie admired her reflection — radiant and flawless in a gown of silver silk. She smiled proudly, almost smugly.
"Mirror, mirror on the wall," she said playfully, striking a pose. "Tell me, who's the fairest and most special girl at this party tonight? Say her name!"
Before she could continue her imaginary speech, a hand suddenly smacked her on the head.
"Aw!" Nattalie yelped, spinning around.
"David Huang!" she snapped. "Are you out of your mind? Why did you hit me? And how dare you just barge into my room?"
Her older brother leaned casually against the doorframe, smirking. "I should be the one asking. Have you completely lost it? Talking to yourself like some kind of evil queen from Snow White?"
"You just called me the evil queen?!" Nattalie fumed. "Come here — I'll show you what an evil queen can really do!"
David laughed, dodging her swings.
"That's what you get for staring at yourself like your face is made of gold! I'm surprised your mirror hasn't cracked yet!"
Her glare could have killed. "Are you trying to curse me, David?"
He shrugged, feigning innocence. "I'm just saying, maybe if you keep doing that, the universe will decide to teach you a lesson."
A thunderclap suddenly split the air.
Both of them froze.
"See?" David said, eyes wide with mock fear. "Even the heavens agree with me. What if they heard you and decided to make it true? Would you dare face the consequences?"
"David Huang!" Nattalie shouted, grabbing a pillow and throwing it at him. "How dare you curse your own sister!"
He caught it effortlessly, grinning. "Hey, you started it. I was just finishing your fairytale."
"You're impossible!"
"And you're exhausting," he shot back, yawning. "Talking to you is bad for my health."
Nattalie's eyes widened. "You—what did you just say?!"
But David was already laughing his way out of the room.
David eventually returned and poked his head into her room.
"Come on, the party's starting. Everyone's waiting for you."
Nattalie took one last glance in the mirror, fixing her hair before following him out. But just as she reached the door, her vision blurred.
The hallway spun. Her heartbeat quickened. She pressed her hand to her chest, trying to steady her breath.
David turned back, alarmed. "Nattalie? What's wrong?"
She shook her head weakly. "I'm fine… just a little dizzy. My heart's beating too fast."
"Do you want me to call Mom and Dad?"
"No. I'll be fine," she insisted, forcing herself upright. "It'll pass."
She smiled faintly, brushing off his concern. "Let's go. It's my sixteenth birthday — I have presents to open and a cake to cut."
David narrowed his eyes. "You're not faking this, are you?"
She rolled her eyes. "Think whatever you want."
Together, they descended the grand staircase — the perfect image of a harmonious brother and sister. Guests turned their heads, admiring the rare sight.
But beneath her graceful smile, Nattalie leaned close and whispered sharply,
"What's this act? Trying to make the world believe we actually get along?"
David chuckled softly. "I'm showing them that you're respected. That the Huang name is untouchable — even your presence commands fear."
"Fear?" she echoed skeptically.
Reaching the final step, David leaned toward her ear and murmured,
"Still, with how ridiculous you can be, I'm surprised anyone takes you seriously. You should thank me for saving your reputation."
Her smile froze.
Before she could retort, David let go of her hand, stepping aside as she was surrounded by guests wishing her a happy birthday.
From across the room, their cousin Norte Huang folded her arms and shot David a disapproving glare.
"Proud of yourself? Bullying your sister again?"
David's grin faltered.
Then came another voice — calm, low, but dangerously cold.
"Did you just tease my Lilie again?" asked Vincent Huang, towering over him.
David swallowed hard. The air around Vincent seemed to darken.
For once, David Huang — the notorious troublemaker — had nothing to say
***