Vanessa’s POV

One day before our wedding anniversary, I found a receipt for a fancy restaurant reservation in Scott's desk drawer as well as a jewelry box, which, when I opened it, was a necklace with a pendulum "V". I was sure "V" was for Vanessa, for me. I thought Scott wanted to surprise me, so I prepared to buy a fancy dress for our special day.

When that day finally came, Scott didn’t even bother coming home. He vanished, with no calls, no texts, and nothing. Restless and uneasy, I rushed to the restaurant, hoping for answers.

But what I found shattered me.

He stood close to a woman I’d never seen before. She looked like a stranger, but he looked at her differently. Like she was his whole world, he took out the necklace. I recognized it instantly. It was the one I thought was for me.

And then, without shame, he clasped it around her neck and kissed her.

Not just a kiss. It was deep, slow, full of heat and madness. The kind of kiss that says you’re mine and I’ve been waiting for you.

As if I never existed.

And the worst part? His friends. People who knew me and knew our story cheered. They clapped and hooted like it was some fairytale ending. Praising them. Drowning them in approval like it was the most beautiful love story they'd ever seen.

I stood there, burning, broken, and invisible

I heard their words that made my body feel like it had no bones.

"Finally, they are together again after seven years of separation!"

"I have your back, Scott! Hurry up and marry her!"

"Scott has sacrificed for seven years, now they will be inseparable!"

My heart broke into pieces. I was unable to hear any longer. I checked Scott's social media and found an account called "Miracle1250" tagging him and his friends. The account posted a photo of Scott kissing her cheek with the caption. "Welcome party from my Sweetheart, very special. I can't wait, we will always be together after this."

My tears fell right away. My hands shook when I closed the phone. I turned quickly but bumped into a waitress who had just climbed the stairs carrying an order. We fell down the relatively high stairs and made a scene. My head stumbled on the floor. The last thing I saw was Scott's face and the woman's. He hugged the woman and covered her eyes like I was a monstrous figure. Then my gaze darkened.

When I regained consciousness, Scott was beside me. I heard him talking on the phone.

"Scott, why did you betray me?"

Scott glared at me.

"Shut up! Why do you always follow your brother away? You see, you have an accident now. Luckily, I noticed it and took you to the hospital! I will take care of the administration."

"What are you talking about?”

Scott didn't answer, he just left, and I couldn't hear the lies from his mouth anymore. I quickly reached into my bag for my cell phone and called my lawyer.

"Adrian, prepare the divorce file. I'm separating from Scott.”

***

“Are you one hundred percent sure? What's going on?"

"I can't take it anymore. He has betrayed me, so what else should I fight for? I want to get divorced and get away from him."

Why would I keep these five years if Scott didn't want me as his wife? I wasn't an option he could discard at any time.

"Well, if that's your decision. I'll make it. Come to the office."

I hung up the phone when Scott returned. He handed me a neck pillow.

"The doctor said you had a head wound. As a result, you could be in a coma. I had made a statement earlier about your transfer to a special ward. I was shocked when you suddenly opened your eyes and asked something strange."

I just realized it. So that's why he said it was so hard for me. He hoped I was unconscious so that I would forget what happened.

I did not expect that Scott had such a petty thought. Was the husband's reaction of being surprised that his wife had to snap? Shouldn't he hug me tightly and ask me how I felt? He still maintained his ego so as not to make our relationship public. In this precarious state, even I was left alone to correct the mistakes he made.

Scott had crossed the line. He betrayed me, and he wanted me to lose consciousness so he could have an affair.

But I don't want to give up. Not now.

"You haven't answered my question, have you?"

Scott rolled his eyes, as if taking my words for granted. He let out a short sigh and answered me.

"You fell on the stairs of the restaurant. I happened to have a reunion with my college friends. I forgot to tell you, so don't get me wrong. You shouldn't have come secretly."

I gave him a bitter smile. I didn't want to respond much. "Well, I regret coming. I won't do it again. Brother."

Scott's eyes narrowed. There seemed to be a big question mark on his forehead. He closed the door and sat on my bed.

"Are you still upset with me? We only act when we are outside, not when we are alone. Don't make fun of me, Vanessa."

Usually, I would have been scared if he had looked at me with that intimidating look in his eyes, but this time, I fought him off.

I shook my head, “No, I’m good. Looks like you like being called brother."

As Scott sat closer, he whispered, "You're free to behave at home, but not in public. You are my sister outside, not my wife. So don't act like we just did it. I have work and can't be with you. I hope you get well soon so we can get together at home again."

Scott just walked away without letting me say a word. His last words were so funny, he probably thought it was over. I never want to be a part of you again, Scott. It's over.

Vanessa's POV

I was treated for three days, and the examination results showed no danger. I was just in shock. On the day of my return, Scott did not reveal himself to pick me up at all.

A nurse informed me that Scott was sending me a pick-me-up so I could comfortably return home.

"Your brother is very considerate, you're lucky, miss."

I smiled bitterly, if only I could tell the truth.

On the way home, I went back to check the account "Miracle1250" again, and there were some recent posts featuring her along with Scott. She was even confident tagging Scott's account without thinking I would see it.

No wonder Scott didn't accompany me and pick me up. He was having fun and enjoying their company. The smile on Scott's face in the photo was enough to explain how happy he was.

Their clothes look wrinkled, with Masai hair, happy but tired faces. I don't want to second-guess apparent reality

In the five years together, I never got such a publication. We got married because Scott was very dependent on me at that time. We met where I worked, in a mental hospital, he came in a fragile state and often raged.

I took care of him until he recovered there. In the end, we liked each other. We were married, intimately attended by family and close friends, but he didn't want our marriage to be known by the public because he wasn't ready for his past to be exposed in a mental hospital. I was only introduced as his sister every time I met someone new.

I stayed because his attitude towards me was fine, but now he has made me realize that I am just a substitute for the love he has been waiting for.

When I got to the apartment, the same scene greeted me. It was quiet. Silent. As if it were uninhabited. Scott was lovesick. He didn't remember coming home.

I immediately packed everything I had, including all the things Scott hated. A couple of trinkets. I thought it would be funny if we wore clothes with the same motif, and drank in glasses with special calls. I was the only one excited. All of this was useless. I wouldn't leave a bit.

In the middle of the packing process, a package came. It turned out to be from Scott. He brought me a bouquet and also a box of cookies. There was a greeting card, which contained a welcoming expression.

Scott always gave me those things if I was mad at him. I used to melt and seduce Scott to take pictures of the gift to share it on my social media accounts, but he strictly forbade it. Again, the reason was the same.

Now that I realized it, there was another woman's heart that he loved. I was just an outsider who was a comfort to him.

I took the gifts to the room, took pictures, and sent them to Scott. Soon, Scott said he would come home to take me to a party with his close friends. I didn't answer and continued my activities.

All done, I took all the stuff to the back and started a fire. I burned some of it slowly while holding back my rebellious tears from spilling.

Last, I wanted to burn the only thing I was guarded about. A painting of our wedding photos that ended up in the warehouse because Scott forbade it from being displayed. My heart was painful and heavy.

"What are you doing? I've been looking for you."

I turned, finding Scott standing behind me. He walked up to me and saw I was burning all those things.

"Finally, you realize that those things are useless, I will help. No one knows our marriage, so why do you fill the warehouse with all this? I am happy, you are more mature."

Scott said that with his cold face, the scent of women's perfume wafting, and his shirt, which was still the same as the photo on his social media.

Scott took over the only thing I hadn't burned. Our wedding photos. He carelessly tossed them into those flames.

I can no longer hide my tears. I cried seeing my marriage end here. The photo taken when our love blossomed no longer meant anything to Scott.

All the memories, good times, and trust I planted in this relationship have vanished.

Scott turned around, smiling at me. "Come on, we need to prepare. The party is about to start, and Clarissa is waiting for us. She was at our wedding first, so I invited you too."

***

In a luxury hotel ballroom, there was a slight incident. I was barely allowed in because the attendant said I wasn't on the list. But Scott called Clarissa, and I was allowed in.

I stood two steps behind Scott, who was greeting his old friends. They all looked at me with a difficult glare. Even Clarissa, who was the owner of the party, looked grim when I shook her hand.

After that, Scott and I were directed by the attendant to sit at the VVIP table that had been provided, where the names Scott Ryhs and Valerie Thomas were.

I squinted at the nameplate on the table.

"Uh… we’ve got the wrong spot. I’m Vanessa Hilton, not Valerie Thomas," I said, throwing a look at Scott, who was already dragging out a chair like he owned the place.

Scott flicked a glance at the sign, and for a split second, his face went tight. Panic. Then back to chill mode.

"Relax, Vanessa. Just sit down. Probably a typo or something. Maybe Clarissa forgot to tell them I was tagging along."

I raised a brow. Still standing.

"Okay, but who the hell is Valerie Thomas? Do you know her?" I'm getting suspicious, and there's something Scott is hiding from me.

Scott leaned in, dropping his voice like I was about to start a riot.

"You wanna play detective here? Chill out, don’t turn this into a drama. It's a party, not an interrogation room.”

Vanessa's POV

"Seriously, do I gotta keep my mouth shut? I came with you, scott. Just because I haven’t even stepped inside yet, I’m not on the list? What’s the big secret, huh?"

Scott shot me a sharp look, checking if people were staring. "Stop acting like a kid, Vanessa." He grabbed my hand and dragged me to sit down.

In five years of being with him, never once had he snapped at me like this, especially not in front of a crowd. Sure, I had to play his “sister,” but he always kept it low-key.

Today? Nope. He kept throwing me dirty looks, whispering mean stuff under his breath, forcing me to stay put like I was his puppet.

In the middle of our argument, a waiter came to our table. He drove a woman who almost gave me a heart attack.

The woman was the one Scott kissed. She owned the account "Miracle1250."

"Here’s your seat, Miss Valerie."

"Thanks so much."

She plopped down like she owned the place. "Hey, babe! I Got off work early, so I figured—why not surprise you here? Bet you weren’t expecting this, huh?"

Scott? Frozen. Just sat there, darting his eyes between me and her like a busted cheater.

"You must be Vanessa, right? Scott’s half-sister?" Valerie said, stretching out her hand with that fake-friendly smile.

I waited for Scott to say something, anything. Like, maybe admit I’m his wife? But no, he stayed quiet, like his mouth was full of marbles

I shook her hand and , "Yes, I'm his half sister. You?"

"Valerie Thomas. Scott’s future wife. We just reconnected after ages, and he already popped the question. Crazy, right?”."

I went limp, hearing the harsh reality that I couldn't escape. I felt like crying and leaving this place right now. Especially seeing Scott like a statue, there was no defense for me.

"Sit down first. We need to talk about the wedding, but at that time, you didn't come, only Scott and his mother."

Valerie's nonsense made the words in my head suddenly disappear altogether. So Scott's mother knew about their relationship, and she kept quiet. I was just here, a fool who knew nothing. I was like a clown. Even though they were the ones who made me lie in the hospital. The woman also looked at me lying helplessly.

"Yes, right, Honey? You said your sister was a shy person. So I was afraid to see her. Unexpectedly, we even met each other at this event."

Scott nodded with a stiff face. His eyes couldn't let go of looking at me. Valerie nudged him, forcing him to speak.

"Y-Yes, she's in the hospital. I..."

"I'm leaving. I'm not feeling well." I get up, not wanting to hear any more jokes from Scott's lips.

Scott had already given me the last excuse to leave immediately. Obviously, he preferred his newly returned love.

Valerie stood up too. She held my hand. "What's the rush? You look well. Could it be that you're upset with me?" She asked with an annoying face, a sad expression made up.

"No. I want to go home."

"Wait here, the event has just started. Look, Clarissa is walking over here."

I felt Valerie's grasp tighten, her sharp nails pressing so hard on my arm that I felt pain and brushed them off reflexively.

The untight movement sent Valerie crashing and bumping into a waiter carrying a tray of glasses filled with juice.

The sound of things breaking filled the room, attracting the attention of the other guests, then Scott helped Valerie up

"Valerie, are you hurt? Show me."

Valerie cried mock-fully as she revealed her hand. "My hand was scratched, she scratched me. Maybe she doesn't like me."

Scott hugged her, then looked at me with anger. "Look what you've done, Vanessa? Why are you making a scene?"

"I didn't injure her. It was she who gripped my hand. My movement was a reflex! SHe overdid it!"

"Enough! You always have a reason. You're guilty and now you're evading it?"

Scott's accusation felt like it slapped me very hard. The pain was palpable. Scott trusted the person who had just returned to him more than I had been there every step of the way, even from his lowest moment.

"What is this mess?" Clarissa came over with a panicked face.

I already opened my mouth, but Scott raised his hand, holding me back. "Clarissa, I'm sorry for this embarrassing incident. Vanessa has ruined this festive party. Vanessa, you have to apologize to Clarissa and Valerie."

I shook my head. "I'll just apologize to Clarissa, but not to that woman!"

"If you still fight back, then you will know the consequences, Vanessa. I'm not playing games this time." Scott instead showered me with threats.

Valerie looked at me triumphantly. She had tears in her eyes that I believed she made up. Her hand grabbed Scott's arm. "Don't force her, Scott, I'm sure she didn't do it on purpose. She does not seem to be able to accept me being your wife. So she doesn't want to talk nicely like I did to her."

Valerie wiped her tears; she had an exaggerated expression and was full of lies. "Even though I just want to get to know her more closely, if she doesn't want to, I can't reply."

Clarissa looked at me sharply. "If you still have shame, then you have to apologize to Valerie, too, she got hurt because of you. You are a troublemaker, Vanessa."

I couldn't take it anymore, so I left them. But my departure was blocked by Scott instead, and Valerie, who held my hand again.

"What else?"

"You haven't apologized, or you'll lose everything, Vanessa, including me," Scott said with a cold face.