###Chapter 5

Tears slipped down my face as I clung, half-conscious, to the man’s shirt.

“Re… venge…” I whispered, the word barely formed.

When I opened my eyes again, all I saw was white—too bright, too sterile.

A hospital room.

I turned my head slowly, wincing at the dull ache across my body and reached for my phone. A message from Colin was waiting. He had sent it the night before.

[I’ve got things to handle tomorrow. Go try on the wedding dress by yourself. Our wedding’s getting closer, so pull yourself together. Stop with the tantrums and marry into the Marks Family with some dignity.]

I stared at the message for a moment, expressionless, then dragged my finger across the screen and deleted it.

But just beneath it, something else caught my eye—a post from Piper’s social media.

Colin had taken her on a private jet to chase the northern lights.

In the green haze of the aurora, their silhouettes stood close together. Matching rings glinted on their fingers, tightly intertwined.

The caption pierced like glass:

[He told me I’m the only one for him. He promised to protect me from all the cruelty in this world. How could I ever let go of a man like that?]

Below it, a cutesy account with cartoon couple avatars commented:

[And no matter how far you try to run from me, I’ll find you. I’ll tie you to my side forever. So don’t even try, silly girl.]

I didn’t need to check. I knew that tone. That possessive flair. That was Colin.

I could tell from the typing style alone.

I remembered the day I asked him to use matching couple avatars with me.

He rolled his eyes and snapped, “What are you, twelve? Can’t you see I’m busy? Now leave!”

And yet I had once dreamed of stargazing with him in the Alps.

I had planned the itinerary down to the smallest detail—he said he was too busy.

Every time, that was the excuse: too busy.

Now I finally understood. He could be romantic. He just never chose to be with me.

I set the phone down, trying to blink back the sting behind my eyes.

That’s when I noticed the envelope sitting quietly on the bedside table.

Inside it was a plane ticket. Departure in two days.

And a small note:

[You’re welcome. Hope you like the gift. For your wedding —V.]

So, I was right. The man who carried me to the hospital last night was none other than Victor Keane—Colin’s worst enemy.

I texted him a quiet thank-you and checked myself out not long after.

Then, the wedding planner called. The dress my mother had ordered for me had been altered to fit. It was ready.

It was the last gift she left me. I had to pick it up.

But when I stepped into the boutique, I froze.

There stood Piper—twirling in my gown.

“Annalise…you come,” She spun in front of the mirror with a fake-sweet smile, voice dripping with poison.

“I just had to make sure it fits, you know. Trying to help you out.”

She tugged the neckline lower, revealing fresh red marks across her chest, her tone mockingly bashful.

“Oh no, it’s Colin’s fault—he’s just too passionate. I told him to be gentle…”

I stared at her performance, cold and unblinking.

“You really did inherit your mother’s talent for stealing other women’s men.”

Her smile twitched, then curved into something crueler.

“Oh? Didn’t you hear? I’m pregnant with Colin’s child.”

“And your marriage license?” She laughed. “It’s fake.”

She flashed a video on her phone. A dim KTV room. Piper on Colin’s lap.

He was tipsy, kissing her softly.

“Do your best and bring the baby into this world. When it’s born, I’ll gift him the Marks Corporation.”

Piper asked in a coy voice: “But… what about my sister?”

Colin chuckled. “I never married her. I’ve been slipping birth control into her milk for months. She can’t get pregnant. I’ll just say we adopted.”

It was like being struck by lightning. My head spun. My legs nearly gave out under me.

So that was it.

Love had died a long time ago. I was just too blind to notice.

I sucked in a sharp breath, straightened up and forced a smile.

“Well, congratulations. Becoming the next Mrs. Marks is just around the corner.”

“But that gown is mine. Take it off,” I said coldly.

I lunged to grab it, but before I could even touch her, one of her bodyguards—assigned by Colin—kicked me.The force knocked me flat. Pain exploded in my gut. I could feel everything twisting, shifting like my organs had been slammed out of place.

Piper picked up a pair of scissors. Her tone was gleeful as she traced the blade over the silk.

“Colin said no matter what I do, he’ll clean up my mess.”

The sharp edge tore through delicate lace, slashed through soft silk. With each cut, she shredded the last gift my mother had ever given me.

I just lay there, watching the pieces flutter down like snowflakes.

Even my hatred felt dull now—numbed by the weight of everything.

Piper strutted off, leaving nothing but wreckage in her wake.

I dragged myself home… or rather used to be.

Once I got there, I tore open every drawer and closet, yanked out every gift Colin had ever given me—jewelry, designer bags, stuffed animals.

One by one, I threw them all in the trash.

Behind me, I heard footsteps approaching.

Familiar ones.

###Chapter 6

Colin paused at the door. “What did you throw away?”

I didn’t even look at him.

“Just some garbage I should’ve gotten rid of long ago.”

He didn’t seem to care. As if suddenly remembering something, he added casually, “I heard Piper accidentally damaged the wedding dress. But don’t worry. I’ve asked the designer to rush a new one. It’ll be ready in time for the ceremony.”

He slung his jacket over one shoulder.

“Remember, tomorrow night’s the gala at my house. Don’t be late. I’ve got work, so I’m not coming home tonight.”

He grabbed his keys and left. Not once did he glance at the overflowing trash bin behind me—filled with everything he’d ever given me.

The next night, 8:00 PM.

I arrived at the Marks Family’s hotel alone.

The moment I stepped into the garden, I saw them.

Colin and Piper.

Dressed in matching custom couture, bathed in warm lawn lights like royalty.

Mrs. Marks’s face twisted the moment she saw me.

Her smile dropped like a cracked mask.

She wore the Bulgari necklace Piper had gifted her and her eyes ran over me with undisguised disdain.

“You’re an hour late. No surprise. No manners at all–just like your mother the thief.”

But Colin told me the banquet started at eight.

I clenched my fists.

A long time ago, I’d mentioned in passing that Piper’s mother had been a mistress. The next day, Mrs. Marks’s missing jewelry “miraculously” appeared under my mother’s pillow.

Colin knew my mother hadbeen framed.

He never defended me. Not once.

But now—I didn’t grovel. I looked straight into Mrs. Marks’s eyes, then right at Piper’s smug little face.

“I’m not here to be insulted,” I said coldly. Then I looked Piper dead in the eye. “My mother was not a thief. She didn’t raise me to seduce men like some women raise their daughters.”

The words had barely left my mouth when a vicious slap exploded across my cheek.

My ears rang. My body hit the ground hard.

The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

Colin stood over me, expression cold and condescending.

“You spread rumors about her! Don’t you know it makes her suffer? How long are you gonna keep this going? Do you want her to kill herself?”

I pushed myself up, my face burning with rage.

“She suffered? She?!” I barked out a laugh, bitter and broken. “She suffered from her own stupid choices! And you—you know exactly what she did. My mother is dead! I lost everything and you're just going to stand there and let her play the victim?!”

The whispers started—quiet at first, like a ripple, then louder as the crowd leaned in.

Colin’s jaw clenched tight.

“Leave,” he growled under his breath. “Go calm yourself down. You've embarrassed yourself enough in front of the guests.”

The garden buzzed with elite chatter.

Mr. and Mrs. Marks quickly stepped in with flutes of champagne, smiling stiffly.

“Let’s not ruin the evening. Come, everyone—drink up!”

Guests swarmed Colin and Piper with congratulations.

“Cheers to the happy couple!”

“Congratulations to the future Mr. and Mrs. Marks—such a perfect match!”

Colin had always said he wanted our relationship to be a “surprise.”

He never told a soul about us.

And now?

He smiled like a gentleman, standing next to Piper like she’d always been the bride.

He didn’t even try to explain.

She clung to his arm like she belonged there.

Under the glittering lights, they looked like a picture-perfect couple.

While I stood there like a wet stain on a white rug.

I let out a breathless, bitter laugh and turned to go, but a hand blocked my way.

Piper.

She smiled like she’d already won.

“Leaving so soon?” she cooed. But I haven’t told you how that old woman died.”

My heart stopped.

“What did you just say?”

She leaned in close, her voice low enough that only I could hear.

“I told her if she wanted the money back, she’d have to film herself doing something… special. You know, the kind men pay for.” She grinned. “But she got all high and mighty. She refused and even had the nerve to insult me and my mom.”

A twisted laugh.

“So I gave her what she deserved.”

She sighed dramatically.

“Did you know? She barely made it through fifty men before she collapsed. Still had the nerve to clutch my leg and beg—beg—me to return the money to her ‘sweet daughter.’”

She made a clicking sound with her tongue.

“Pathetic, really.”

###Chapter 7

Her words struck like lightning.

For a moment, rage swallowed my entire being. No sound came from my throat—just fury, raw and blinding. Then I snapped.

I lunged at Piper.

Fists clenched. Nails digging into her skin.

I yanked her hair, dragged her down, clawed at her face, her neck.

“You monster! Give me my mother back, you bitch!”

But before I could do any real damage, pain shot through my back—then my ribs. The bodyguards were on me, kicking and punching until I curled up like a broken doll on the ground.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Colin shoved past them, face grim.

He didn’t even glance at me.

He went straight to Piper—crying, trembling, putting on the perfect damsel act—and wrapped her in his arms like she was made of glass.

His eyes, when they flicked toward me, were cold enough to freeze bone.

“You’ve gone too far. Kneel. Apologize to her. Now.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

He wasn’t done.

“Your mother was weak. She got dumped and died chasing money. Now you’re blaming Piper for it? Everyone here saw what you did. Are you proud of yourself?”

The room around us buzzed with murmurs, growing louder and uglier by the second.

“I heard her mother once stole Mrs. Marks’ jewelry,” one woman whispered, not even bothering to lower her voice. “Rumor is she died during a kidnapping–had her organs missing. Honestly, sounds like she had it coming.”

“And the daughter’s no better,” another voice added with a sneer. “Ungrateful little brat. Just like her mom. Raised to be a man-stealing whore.”

I was still on my knees. I wanted to scream, to tell them they were wrong. That my mother wasn’t a thief. That I wasn’t a man-stealing whore. But my throat was dry. My voice, gone.

Colin’s patience wore thin.

“Apologize, Anneliese. I’ll count to three. One… two—”

Disappointment scorched every cell in my body.

I gave in. My knees slammed onto the cold marble. I lifted my chin—and slammed it down in a bow so hard I tasted blood.

“I’m sorry. I was wrong. I’m sorry, I’m sorry—”

Blood mixed with tears blurred my vision.

I looked up with a twisted smile, hollow and bitter.

“Is that enough, Colin? Did your precious darling get enough of an apology?”

He froze. His pupils shrank as if he finally saw me—saw what he’d done.

He took half a step forward. But Piper clutched his arm, her voice trembling with faux fear.

“Colin, I’m scared… she looks crazy…”

He hesitated. Then stepped back. And held her tighter.

His eyes turned away. His voice was tired. Mechanical.

“Go home. Try not to cause any more trouble.”

I stood, somehow. My legs shook, but I didn’t fall.

I turned to him—one last time.

And then I walked away.

***

The night was bitterly cold when I reached the crematorium. Stood in silence as my mother turned to ash. As her remains scattered into the sea, so did the last tether of my heart.

Gone. Just like that.

At midnight, I slipped off the wedding ring. Set it gently inside the nightstand. No need for divorce papers. His love was never real to begin with.

How convenient.

I wheeled out my suitcase, opened the front door.

My phone buzzed.

Colin: [Did you get your wounds treated? Piper says she forgives you. Let’s put this behind us.]

Colin: [I picked up a new dress. It’s gorgeous. I’ll bring it over later.]

No reply.

A moment passed.

Another message.

Colin: [Asleep already? Why aren’t you answering? It’s our wedding day tomorrow. Be good.]

I blocked him. Every number. Every account connected to him. I pulled out the SIM card, snapped it in half and tossed it down a storm drain—just like him.

A car was waiting by the curb.

I got in.

“To the airport.”

The city lights raced past my window, blurring like ghosts.

Ten years of memories, love, pain—gone. Just shadows now.

“We will never meet again, Colin. And by sunrise, your wedding gift will be waiting. Right on time.”