"Lina, what's going on with you?" Hylton asked, furrowing his brows.

I didn't answer. I simply stepped back to keep some distance between us.

Hylton took a deep breath and adjusted his expression, softening his tone. "I know you got tanned in Zubania, and you're upset. Don't be mad, okay? Just come home with me."

I was upset because I got tanned? Did he think I was on a vacation?

I thought I was already numb, but at that moment, a prickly pain wrapped tightly around my heart.

I stared at his hand coldly, unmoved.

His hand lingered awkwardly in the air. When he saw I wasn't responding, he withdrew it in embarrassment.

"Today's my mom's birthday. Everyone's waiting for you."

I nodded silently and followed him to the parking lot but kept a full arm's length between us the whole way.

Hylton opened the passenger door. I ignored him as I circled to the backseat, pulling the door open and getting in the car.

He paused for a second but said nothing. Then, he closed the door and got into the driver's seat.

Perhaps it was too obvious I didn't want to talk to him, but Hylton tried to break the silence with small talk.

"My parents got a small orange cat. I remember you always liked orange cats. He likes snuggling with women. He'll probably be all over you when we get back."

I stared out the window at the scenery flashing by, not responding.

He hesitated, then changed the subject. "By the way, Priscilla and I picked out a welcome gift for you last week. You always liked that bracelet, right? I finally managed to get it."

A wave of absurdity and disbelief rose in me. I turned to stare at him through the rearview mirror, trying to see through him.

His eyes were bright, the corners of his lips lifting in a relaxed smile. He was no different from the person I'd known all my life. He even remembered I liked orange cats and which bracelet I had my eye on.

I couldn't help but wonder if the past six months had just been a nightmare. How else could he act this natural and unaffected, as if nothing had happened?

I didn't understand. How could someone be like this?

A chill crept up from the pit of my stomach. It was hard to breathe, as though an invisible hand was gripping my heart.

The car finally stopped in front of the Miller residence, the place I once thought would be my future home.

After turning off the engine, Hylton got out and came around to my side. Opening the car door, he reached out to put his arm around my shoulders like he used to.

"We're home, Lina."

The moment his hand came close, flashes of those forced encounters played through my mind.

I jerked away violently, nausea surging up from my stomach. I rushed to the side of the road and bent over, dry-heaving. My stomach was empty, but I couldn't stop retching.

Hylton's expression finally changed. "Alina, that's enough!"

He walked over, voice low and tense. "It's my mom's birthday. Don't ruin it for everyone."

Just then, the villa door opened. Hylton's parents and Priscilla stepped out, having heard the commotion.

"You're back, Lina!" Emma Smith, Hylton's mother, walked over quickly, a beaming smile on her face.

Hylton's father, Robert Miller, followed behind. He was holding a glass of red wine. "Come in. We've been waiting a long time."

I straightened up, but my gaze went past them, landing directly on Priscilla.

She was wearing the luxurious dress Hylton had given me for my birthday last year. Around her neck was the pearl necklace I had spent 700,000 dollars to win at an auction. I loved the necklace.

So, while I was gone, my clothes, my bags, my jewelry… Everything of mine had been handed over to her!

"Lina, you don't look so well. Do you want to rest for a bit?" Emma asked kindly.

I didn't answer. I just stared straight at Priscilla.

"What's wrong, Lina?" Priscilla lowered her gaze slightly as she felt my stare, the corners of her mouth even curled with a perfectly measured touch of shyness.

She was acting as though nothing happened.

Emma didn't notice the undercurrent between us and remained cheerful as she tugged at my arm. "It's cold out. Come in and warm up."

Hylton must have sensed the awkwardness. He cleared his throat and offered an explanation for Priscilla. "Lina, you didn't take many clothes with you to Zubania, and those were just sitting there. Priscilla didn't have much to wear recently, so I let her use them for now. I'll buy you new ones later."

He said it as if it was the most natural thing in the world. My clothes and my necklace were now someone else's emergency stash. And that someone was Priscilla.

I tugged at the corner of my lips, giving a smile that didn't quite qualify as one.

Saying nothing, I followed them into the villa.

The living room was nice and warm. The dining table was piled high with lavish dishes. Robert was already seated at the head of the table, waiting.

Priscilla walked over to Emma naturally, helping her set the tableware. She chatted familiarly with Robert, making him laugh heartily.

Emma patted her hand with affection. "You're so thoughtful, Priscilla."

In just half a year, she was already thriving here.

I was seated next to Hylton, and Priscilla sat across from him.

Throughout the meal, Emma and Robert kept piling food onto my plate and checking on me.

"Lina, you're so tanned and thin now. You must've had a rough time at the Zubania branch these past six months," Emma remarked with concern.

"Eat more. These are all your favorites," Robert added.

I didn't have much appetite and only moved my spoon around symbolically.

On the other hand, Priscilla acted composed and confident, frequently serving Emma and Robert. She even placed some of Hylton's favorite dishes on his plate. She even knew that Hylton didn't eat scallions or ginger.

Every move—every glance—quietly asserted her place.

She acted like the lady of the house, and I felt like a guest who didn't belong.

Hylton seemed pleased with the atmosphere, a smile playing on his lips the entire time.

He picked out a rib for me. "Try this. Freya made this just for you."

I looked at the glossy rib on my plate, feeling my stomach churn again.

Priscilla raised her head and looked at me with concern. "Lina, why aren't you eating? Is it not to your taste? I can ask Freya to make something else for you."

She sounded soft and innocent.

I couldn't take it anymore. I slammed my spoon down on the table.

The warmth at the table turned to stone.

Hylton's expression darkened. He was evidently annoyed. "Enough! Alina, why the hell are you throwing a tantrum?"

"I'm throwing a tantrum?" I let out a cold laugh, my gaze sweeping past him and Priscilla, finally landing on Emma's and Robert's stunned faces.

Hylton's brows furrowed tightly, and he lowered his voice with warning. "All I did was send you to Zubania for a short break. Priscilla even arranged a vacation for you. You didn't have to work. Is that really a reason to come back with this attitude? It's my mom's birthday!"

A short break?

Those words hit me like a truck.

I went through the beatings, the abuse, and the hopeless, sunless days. Yet, to him, it was just a relaxing trip?

So, that was what it was.

All those nights I clawed through hell, he believed everything Priscilla told him. He thought I was on vacation!

I stared at him, the man I had loved for more than ten years, and suddenly, everything seemed absurd.

"A short break?" I repeated, my voice trembling from the fury surging inside me.

"Yeah, I was just on a short break." I started laughing, growing increasingly louder until tears came out.

They all looked at me, confused and unsettled.

I stood up. "Alright. Then, let me show you how much fun I had during this short break."

I raised my hand to the buttons on my shirt.

Hylton's face changed instantly. "Alina, what are you doing?"

I ignored him. Right in front of all of them, I unfastened each button one by one.

The sound of fabric hitting the floor came at the same moment as the gasps around the room.