I was transfixed in front of the mirror, staring at my pale, haggard reflection. My hair was tangled, my eyes were puffy, and my face was covered in traces of tears.

"I... I... was too stupid. Why has it only been three years since all his rottenness was revealed?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

I don't know how long I was cooped up inside this bathroom, staring at my own reflection. I felt slumped in unspeakable sadness.

The bathroom door opened abruptly. Serena stepped in, looking at me with a forced smile. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead, the traces of the heated battle with William still evident.

"Hi, sister!" she greeted me, pretending to be cute.

I looked at her with a disgusted gaze. How could she dare to look at me with a smile that seemed to say, 'I won!'

Serena took out a red lipstick from her bag and applied it to her lips with a casual motion.

"How does it feel to be a bitch for my husband?" I asked piercingly, my voice trembling with anger.

Serena rounded her eyes, her jaw hardening. "What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb, Serena," I replied coldly. "I saw everything you did."

I fixed her with a piercing stare. "You destroyed our family. You ruined my life."

Serena tried to approach me, but I backed away.

"Sister, it's not my fault, it's William's. I can't refuse him," she said, her face wearing a guilty look.

I laughed at her words. "Don't lie!" I shouted. "You enjoyed that! You ruined my life on purpose!"

Serena looked at me with a terrified gaze. "I didn't want to destroy our family! Really!"

I shook my head slowly.

"I don't believe her nonsense, Serena!" I stared at her sharply, ignoring her words.

The guilty look on her face suddenly changed. She laughed, a laugh that sounded like a saw creaking. The guilty face she had shown me earlier seemed to vanish into thin air, replaced by a horrible laugh of mockery.

"That's what I want, I want you to feel the same pain I once felt." Serena's eyes sparkled with triumph.

I was dumbfounded. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Serena openly admitted to her cruel deeds, even showing her joy at the pain I was feeling.

"You... savage! What did I do wrong, Serena? All this time I've always obeyed your wishes," I shouted, my voice trembling with anger.

Serena smiled sarcastically.

"Yes, you did. But you know, Mom always praised you as if you were her only child." She walked slowly, recounting something from the past.

"Good Lily, smart Lily, and the most understanding Lily! Mother always praised you like that, while I was just labeled as a spoiled and ignorant child."

I paused, surprised by Serena's words. She smiled with a grin, but I saw sadness in her eyes.

"We're a family, Serena. You and I are neither enemies nor rivals." I held Serena's shoulders, looking at her intently. I tried to make her realize, but instead, she threw my hand away violently.

"Don't pretend to be nice to me, Sis. You're taking all the attention, including our parents'." Serena stared at me sharply, harboring a deep grudge.

"Look at me now! I've taken the attention of William, the man you love. You're just a boring doll to him. I'm the one he actually loves."

I stared at her with a hateful gaze, as if she were waving a war flag in front of me.

"You? You're just a bitch who ruined my family, Serena. You'll never defeat me." I pointed at Serena's face, my voice trembling with anger.

Serena approached me, looking into my eyes with a sinister gaze.

"We'll see who wins. I'll make sure you're destroyed."

I tried to push away the fear eating at my courage, but I hid it. I pushed Serena’s body away and chose to leave.

The party was still lively, but I felt isolated, like a small island in the middle of a vast ocean.

"Honey, I'm sorry I forgot your drink. Earlier, my stomach seemed to have a problem. Sorry for making you wait so long," William said, handing me a drink. I accepted the glass and put on a smile.

"Thank you. It's okay, honey. Did you eat something wrong?" I feigned concern, even though I knew he was in love with Serena and had forgotten about his promise.

"I don't know. But, it's better now. I've taken the medicine." I nodded, trying to believe his lie.

"Honey, a friend of mine is there. Can I go over there to join them?" William asked, looking toward the garden where some of his friends were chatting.

"Yes, go and meet them." William kissed my forehead before leaving. I stared at his retreating back, and slowly, my smile faded. My pain rushed into my chest. He was good at sweet words, but his actions behind my back were painful.

William was in the center of the crowd, chatting with his friends. I could see the smile on his face.

"My sister, aren't you with William?" Serena's voice boomed in my ears. I paused, looking at her sharply.

"Did William not invite you to welcome his friends? It's so sad." Serena covered her mouth with her hand, smiling mockingly.

"Shut up, Serena!" I snapped, not liking her words.

"Why? I feel so sorry for you here. Let me accompany you. You should be beside your husband right now, not here, poor Lily."

I gave her a cold stare. She continued to mock me, making me sick.

"Why are you asking me that? How much do you care about me?" I retorted sarcastically. Serena was silent, but her face still lit up with satisfaction.

I looked back at William, watching him laugh with his friends. Pain engulfed my soul.

Serena approached again, her eyes shining with satisfaction.

"You know, Lily, my older sister. I don't even have to try hard to make you feel small. William always does it for me. Soon, he'll dump you!" she said slyly, her voice like a snake's whisper.

I clenched my fists, restraining myself from falling for her provocations.

"Serena, what do you really want from me?" I asked sharply, suppressing my irritation.

Serena smiled sarcastically, her arms folded across her chest.

"I just want to see you accept reality. You're nothing more than a neglected wife, who only exists to be an appendage. William deserves someone more interesting... maybe someone like me," she said, then chuckled.

"If that's what you think, Serena, then you're more pathetic than I ever imagined. Wanting a married man shows how empty your life is."

Serena's laughter faded instantly, her face hardening. "How dare you!" she snarled, her voice rising.

I moved closer, keeping my gaze sharp and firm. "And how dare you keep bothering someone who just wants to enjoy his time in peace. If William doesn't want to be here with me, that's my business. It has nothing to do with you."

Serena looked stunned for a moment but quickly recovered, flashing her sly smile again.

"Oh, Lily, you're so naive. But fine, I'll leave you alone... for now. Just enjoy your loneliness. Without a husband and children in your life."

Serena showed her arrogance. The anger she kept provoking boiled over.

"Shut up! You mean you're insulting my barrenness like that?" I snarled sharply.

"Yes, is there any other name for a woman who can't get pregnant, Lily? You're just a barren woman!" Serena smirked, her words testing my patience. My hand quickly slapped her cheek.

Serena was startled, holding her cheek. I smiled triumphantly at having retaliated.

"Shut up, bitch! You're just a woman who warms William's bed temporarily."

Serena's eyes blazed with anger.

"I'm not his bitch, Lily. But I am a lover sipping the sweet honey of love." She leaned closer, her body towering over mine.

"As for you, pathetic wife, you are no more special than me. So... once again, you call me a bitch, I'll rip your mouth out." Her hands gripped my arms, her nails scraping my skin. Blood started to seep from the scratches.

"Let go, Serena, it hurts! Have you lost your mind?" I tried to remove my hand, but her grip only tightened.

"Just enjoy the pain, Lily. I'll be happy to see you in this pain!" Unable to take it anymore, I reached for the table where I had put William's drink. Quickly, I poured the glass on her face.

Serena screamed in shock, the cold drink drenching her face, making her hair stick to her cheeks.

"You dare douse me, damn it!" she yelled, furious.

I broke free from her grip. "You're crazy!" I pushed her, trying to get away.

Serena fell, her body hitting the cold marble floor. Silence. All eyes turned to us; the bustling party suddenly quieted. William, who had been chatting with guests, ran over to me.

Serena made a sad face, looking tearful. William swiftly helped her up, his face darkening at her soaked clothes.

"What did you do to Serena? Look at her wet clothes, and you pushed her. She's your sister." William's voice trembled with anger as he slapped me.

My cheek burned, but the pain in my heart was worse. I looked at him, my eyes welling up.

"She started it first. She said I was barren!" I tried to explain.

"You shouldn't take offense. What Serena said was true." William's words pierced my heart. It felt like a boulder crushing my chest.

Serena drew closer to William, crying bitterly.

"Earlier, my sister insulted me as a bitch because I was close to you. She also attacked me. I was so scared."

William stroked her hair gently, his eyes full of disappointment as he looked at me.

"You've gone too far, Lily. You've ruined the party."

I swallowed hard, trying to hold back my tears.

"Come with me. Serena must be cold. She needs to change her clothes. Give her your best ones."

With an angry tone, William carried Serena, her arms wrapped around him.

Before leaving, he apologized to the guests for the commotion. The party resumed, though many whispered about the incident.

I reluctantly stomped my feet, following them to my room.

I opened the wardrobe in disgust, my hand gripping the wooden door firmly as if to crush it. Serena sat on the edge of my bed, still sobbing, but I knew it was all an act. Those fake tears didn’t affect me.

William stood behind her, arms folded, his gaze pressing heavily on me.

"Hurry up, Lily. Pick out an appropriate dress for Serena," William said sternly.

I snorted, pulling out a red silk dress, one of my best outfits. Deliberately, I threw it onto Serena's lap.

"Wear this, Princess. You go well with something flashy, don’t you?" I said sarcastically, giving her a sharp look.

Serena glanced at William with a spoiled expression, while William furrowed his brows.

"Lily, don’t talk like that," he reprimanded.

I approached, holding back the emotions that were on the edge of exploding.

"Oh, am I at fault now? Do I have to apologize and serve Serena? After she made a scene at my own party?" My tone was cold but laced with anger.

"You know what would suit her better, William? A dress more suited to her demeanor—perhaps a clown uniform."

Serena blinked, pretending to be offended.

"Sis, I don’t know why you hate me like this. I just want to get closer to your family," she said in a trembling voice.

I laughed sarcastically, then looked at William.

"Lily, that’s enough! Now change Serena’s clothes. You have to take responsibility for dirtying her shirt earlier." William's hand shoved me in annoyance, forcing me to step closer to Serena. My sister smiled sarcastically, happy to be defended by my husband.

I turned to Serena. "Hurry up and change your clothes. Or I’ll pull out your old ones myself and make you really feel like a fool in front of the guests."

William widened his eyes, and Serena visibly trembled. Finally, I saw real fear on her face.

William looked at me with anger I had never seen before. His face was flushed, and his jaw hardened. He walked over, closing the distance between us.

"Lily, I can’t believe you can talk like that," his voice was sharp and piercing, almost a whisper but full of menace.

"I thought I was marrying a mature woman who knew how to treat family with respect. But you’ve turned out to be nothing but hateful."

I laughed bitterly. I had had enough of his drama.

"Oh, my great husband, did you just realize that I hate traitors like you?"

I took a deep breath, tired of their charade.

"Husband, I think you should marry Serena now. Aren’t you already playing the hero to this 'poor woman'?"

William’s face turned red, his anger barely contained. He stepped closer, grasping my arm with a painful grip. His eyes stared sharply, full of hatred that he didn’t bother to hide.

"Lily, you know all about this. That's great, so I don't have to explain anything to you," he hissed, his voice low but seemingly guiltless to me.

"Serena is so much better for me. She's gentle, sweet, and knows how to treat a man. Not like your stubborn, angry self!"

I looked up at him, unwilling to show the slightest hint of fear even though my chest was pounding loudly. My hands clenched at my sides, trying to withstand the pain of his grip.

William smiled wryly, his voice turning cold.

"But, if you'll obey my every wish, maybe I'll consider and let you stay here. But only as a filler in this house, not in my heart."

I let out a small chuckle, though it sounded bitter.

"You want me to go along with your wishes? After all this? Forget it, William."

Our gazes met, like two enemies measuring each other's strength. He threw my arm roughly as if I were something disgusting.

"Then I'm divorcing you, Lily. You don't deserve to be my wife."

Serena, now beside William, smiled triumphantly. I just smiled bitterly, looking at both of them. Serena walked toward my wardrobe.

"Please leave this place, my older sister. You don't belong to William now."

I looked at Serena, who now dared to show her fangs. That triumphant gaze felt like a dagger piercing my chest. When she started throwing my clothes onto the floor and dragging my suitcase roughly, I felt anger well up but swallowed it deeply.

She called me 'her older sister' in a mocking tone, emphasizing how small I was before her now.

I stood still, letting them think they had won. My previously bitter smile turned cold.

"You're right, Serena," I said calmly yet piercingly.

"I'm not part of William anymore. And I'm grateful for that. You can have this home, this man, and all the lies you created together."

I turned around, dragging my suitcase to prepare to leave, without waiting for their response.

I slammed the door hard, making sure they knew I would never forgive them.

I stepped out of the room with my head held high, holding back the tears. My heart was broken, but I wouldn’t let them see me weak.

Before leaving, I approached one of the crew organizing the presentation at the party.

"Play this video," I said firmly as I handed a flash drive into his hand. He looked hesitant, but my cold stare made him obey.

A few minutes later, I stood in a corner of the room, watching as the screen began to play the video of me and William. The guests, initially busy chatting, turned their attention to the screen.

The video showed beautiful moments—our wedding, vacation trips, and other happy times. William’s face on the screen radiated love, and guests commented on how romantic we had been.

Then the footage switched. Now, the screen showed William and Serena in a room, in a position that needed no explanation. Guests were shocked, whispers filling the room.

William and Serena walked into the hall, hand in hand, smiling confidently. Their faces changed drastically when they saw the screen.

William’s eyes widened, his face turning red with embarrassment or anger. Serena looked pale, frozen in horror.

"What is this?! Who played it?" William shouted, his voice drowned out by the crowd’s murmurs.

I stood by the exit, watching with a cold smile. Finally, the truth was out.

Before leaving, I turned my head once more. With a calm yet triumphant voice, I said, "Please enjoy your party. Have fun now."

I stroked my stomach for a moment.

"My son, we are about to start a new life. Without a father, you will still be provided for, son. Don't worry about that."

I left the hall, hearing the silence turn into commotion. I didn’t care. I walked away freely, letting go of all the weight on my shoulders.

Farewell forever, William!