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.

Vanessa's POV

"You think you can just throw a tantrum and walk out like that?” Scott’s eyes were burning.

I stared back, not backing down. “Tantrum? Seriously? You let them tear me apart tonight. You, Scott. Not me. You’re the one who flipped out like I was doing something shady!”

He frowned like I was being dramatic. “You embarrassed Clarissa. Valerie’s crying her eyes out because of you. You hurt her!”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Valerie? Wow. So now you’re her knight in shining armor? You know what, I’m done. Done trying to explain myself. Clearly, in your world, she’s the princess. I’m just the villain.”

He didn't answer. His face flushed with anger-or because he couldn't deny it.

"Stop your arguments! Well, let me give in, I am the most guilty person here. Scott, don't yell at your sister anymore." Valerie again seized the opportunity to attract everyone's sympathy. Her fake tears kept flowing to add to this drama.

"You are a ruiner of the atmosphere, Vanessa. You know, I never invited you. You should have noticed from the beginning!" Clarissa snapped in a shrill voice.

I shut my mouth. I didn't have to ask so many more questions now. Although Scott and Valerie still tried to stop me.

As I pushed through the group of guests that surrounded us, a waiter passed by, carrying a large tray of bowls of hot soup. Then everything happened so fast - Scott pulled my arm again, I, with all my strength, let go, my body wobbled, and my elbow accidentally nudged the tray.

The hot soup hit my skin. It felt like it was burning alive. I shrieked.

"ARGHH!"

I fell to my feet on the floor, grasping my scalding arms, tears escaping unpreventably. I was shaking, shivering, not just from pain, but from shame and disappointment.

"Valerie!" Clarissa suddenly ran in the other direction. "Valerie! Did you get hit?!"

I turned my head. Valerie sat sweetly on the floor with amazing drama, hugging her arm that only splashed a little. "She was on purpose. I'm scared. She really wants to hurt me! "

I'm the prime suspect again in Valerie and Scott's story. Now the angled stares are not just from one or two people, but all of them. I hear some cursing at me.

"Shameless woman!"

"She attacked her own brother's lover. Annoying!"

The whispers began to travel, like a blaze.

Scott just stood still. Looking at me, not moving or defending me, and asking about my situation. As if I were nothing to him anymore. He turned to his lover instead.

My eyes caught something that made my heart ache even more. The burn on my arm felt nothing compared to the bitterness in my chest. Scott and Valerie were dressed in matching clothes. They had everything ready.

They looked like a couple. At the same time, I was fighting for my safety instead.

I wanted to waste more time. Without saying anything, I got up even though it hurt. Every movement felt heavy, but I forced it. I walked past the disgusted look and cynical smile that accompanied me. I didn't want to be in the room for a single second.

***

I came home after getting treatment in the hospital, but when I got home, I met someone I didn't want.

Scott's mom.

"You're here," I said flatly. "Funny. I thought you were busy hugging Valerie after she got hurt at the party. Hasn't she called you yet?"

She sighed. "I just want to talk. Scott got carried away with emotion, you have to understand. Valerie suddenly came into his life after he moved on."

I laughed. "Emotions? He told me everything that quickly. But instead of asking about my situation, you were busy defending your son."

"Vanessa -"

"He was a disgrace. He let me be hurt. Ridiculed. And now, you're here to keep only his good image?"

Her face seemed to scowl. "You know, Valerie comes to me more often. She listens. Unlike you, who always fight back."

"Fight back?" I took one step forward, my voice shaking. "Because I didn't let myself be stepped on? Because I couldn't pretend to be an obedient daughter-in-law who turned a blind eye when treated like trash?"

She didn't answer. But the expression on her face was enough.

"I will never forgive him. Or you."

She looked at me once more before walking away, saying,

"Perhaps Valerie is more appropriate."

* *

The next day, I came to the lawyer's office. I no longer cried. I no longer hesitated. I had planned my departure to make Scott regret it.

I took the divorce papers to Scott's office, hoping to get things done quickly. But from the first step into the lobby, I knew it was impossible.

Everyone looked at me with a probing look.

"That's it."

"Still dare to come here."

"Even though it made a scene at the party."

I pretended not to hear. I stood by the receptionist and said quietly, "I want to see Scott."

"Sorry, Mr. Scott is receiving a guest. You can wait until Mr. Scott is done."

I nodded and walked towards the office garden. But before I arrived, the bustling sound from the lobby made me pause and turn my head.

Valerie walked in with an elegant smile. All the staff greeted her as if she were the queen.

"Good morning, Valerie!"

"Wow, our new Manager!"

Manager?

I almost laughed. A trusted staff member walked up to me and whispered, "Scott just appointed Valerie as manager. He said, Let 's work together more often. It's been a long time since we saw her come to the office and have lunch together. Valerie said they were getting married soon."

The pain came again, the fact stifling my chest. Valerie captured the hearts of everyone behind me. I looked down, clenched the divorce papers in my hand, and walked towards the garden, avoiding the euphoria of all of them.

While I was sitting, contemplating. Valerie appeared near me. And this time, her face was no longer full of pretense.

"Vanessa," he said lightly. "You came. Still expecting Scott to come back to you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm tired of pretending. I knew you were his wife from the start," she said with a smile. She whispered, "But I also know, Scott no longer cares about your relationship because I told him to."

"Asked him to?"

She stepped back, crossing her arms over her chest. "I didn’t steal your husband. I simply took back what was mine to begin with."

She sat beside me, acting as if we were close, and leaned in with a smug smile. "You’d better recognize your place and give up now. If you keep clinging to Scott, I’ll make sure plenty of humiliating things happen to you. No one even knows you’re his wife. To them, you’re just the unwanted sister.”