"Take off that dress. You don’t deserve to wear it!"

At our five-year anniversary party, Damien shoved me into the pool in front of everyone.

My white wedding dress was soaked and clinging to me, my makeup a mess, while he held Camilla, his sister-in-law and first love, disdainfully. "No matter how much you resemble her, you'll never be her!"

For five years of marriage, I was nothing more than a stand-in for Isla. He provided me with a mansion and jewelry but couldn't even grant me one piece of a keepsake necklace.

When Camilla flaunted that diamond necklace with a taunting smile, I finally tore up the contract. "Damien, let's get a divorce."

Infuriated, he grabbed my wrist. "Can you afford the breach of contract penalty?"

I laughed through my tears. "I would rather be poor for a lifetime than be your shadow."

Later, I dazzled at an auction, and Mr. Rhodes kneeled in the rain with red eyes. "Sienna, please come back."

But once the rose wilts, it rarely blooms again. The heart of a substitute has died—how can it ever warm again?...

Splash!

The icy pool water swallowed me instantaneously.

"Take it off! You don’t deserve to wear it!" Damien stood at the edge of the pool, looking down at me with a voice as cold as ice. "Sienna, no matter how much you resemble her, you'll never be her!"

Soaking wet, I climbed out of the pool, my makeup a disaster. The music in the banquet hall stopped abruptly.

All eyes were on me, cutting into my skin like knives.

Damien stood by the pool, his tone still icy. "Take off that dress. You don’t deserve to wear it!"

Our anniversary, and the white wedding dress I had picked out so carefully, clung to me, pathetic and heavy.

I struggled to stay steady, fighting not to break down in front of everyone.

Camilla snuggled close to Damien, lovingly touching the familiar diamond necklace around her neck.

"Brother-in-law, it looks like sister is angry."

It was Isla’s necklace. One I had seen countless times in photos.

"This necklace is beautiful. You said it was Isla's favorite. Now it belongs to me." She tilted her head, making the diamonds sparkle under the lights.

I forced a bitter smile, my lips felt like they were tearing. "Yes, she’s your little rose. I am only… the dirt beneath the rose."

The banquet hall's bright lights hurt my eyes, reflecting every face that jeered or looked on indifferently. Derisive whispers pierced my eardrums like needles.

"Tsk, five years and still thrown away by Mr. Rhodes like garbage?"

"Did she really think wearing a replica wedding gown would turn her into Isla? Dream on."

"Look at Ms. Dawson's necklace. That’s Mr. Rhodes’ true favorite. What does this one count for…"

"Hush, keep your voice down. Don't let Mr. Rhodes hear." Despite their words, their eyes roved over my wet body with undisguised contempt.

Their voices were just loud enough for me to hear, each word cutting into my heart like poisoned ice shards.

I tried to straighten my back, but the freezing pool water had drained all the warmth from my body, the cold spreading through every limb, making my teeth chatter. The wet wedding dress stuck to me heavily, outlining my wretched form, exposing every inch to those prying and disdainful eyes.

It felt like an invisible hand was gripping my chest, each breath tearing at my lungs, nearly suffocating me. This was Damien’s five-year "surprise," a meticulously planned public execution.

No one approached, no one offered a dry towel, and no one dared to speak up for me. They just watched from afar, as if enjoying a drama that had nothing to do with them.

The faces normally polite and courteous now displayed cold indifference and detachment. In the face of Damien’s power, my dignity meant nothing.

I forced myself to move, heading towards the exit. Each step felt like moving through lead.

Damien looked at me coldly, a mocking smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "What's the matter, can't take it anymore? If Isla were here, she would have endured to the end."

Isla again.

For five years, every mention of her name felt like a knife stabbing into my heart.

"Mr. Rhodes, I'm not Isla," I said, meeting his eyes directly. "I never was."

His eyes wavered for a moment before returning to their icy state. "Of course, you're not her. You never will be."

Ha! Five years, and I am still just a substitute, a shadow not even worthy of a name.

I turned and walked towards the door, the wet hem of my dress dragging across the marble floor, leaving a trail of water.

"Sienna!" he called from behind, his voice filled with authority. "Stop!"

I paused but did not turn around.

"The party isn't over, you are Mrs. Rhodes, come back here!" His voice was laced with anger.

I turned to face him, looking at his heartbreakingly handsome face. "Mrs. Rhodes? I'm just a shadow of Mrs. Rhodes."

Camilla, clinging to his arm, flashed a smug smile. "Brother-in-law, don't worry about her. Today is your anniversary; don't let her ruin the mood."

Damien let out a cold laugh. "I said it when I married her five years ago; she was just a stand-in."

He walked closer to me, his tall figure casting a shadow. Leaning down to whisper in my ear, he said, "A stand-in should know their place, Sienna."

The familiar scent of his cologne made my mind hazy. This man had held me countless times in the dark, but always called out another woman's name.

I looked up at him steadily. "Five years, Mr. Rhodes, and your heart is colder than this pool. I can't warm it."

He looked surprised, as if he hadn't expected me to fight back.

"Sister, that's not right," Camilla pretended to care, flaunting the necklace, "Brother-in-law treats you so well; he gave you a mansion, luxury cars, jewels—everything Isla dreamed of."

"Yes, he gave me everything but his heart," I said softly.

Damien's face darkened. "Today is a special day. You will stay here and drink this glass of wine with me!"

He grabbed my wrist roughly, his grip strong enough to crush bone.

I struggled, which only fueled his anger as he clamped down harder.

"Damien, let go of me!" I almost screamed.

The entire ballroom fell silent, all eyes on us.

His eyes narrowed dangerously. "You dare to order me?"

"I'm not ordering you. I'm just asking you—let me go," my voice was barely audible.

Damien suddenly released his grip, laughing coldly. "It seems five years of a wealthy life haven't taught you gratitude."

Rubbing my reddened wrist, I smiled bitterly. "Gratitude? Grateful for being a shadow of another woman?"

"Enough!" He slammed the table, shattering wine glasses. "You signed the contract yourself!"

Yes, five years ago, I signed that "stand-in wife" contract to save my dying father.

"The contract was for marriage, not endless humiliation and cold violence," I lifted my head, stubbornly looking at him.

Camilla gently tugged Damien's arm. "Brother-in-law, don't be angry. Isla would be heartbroken to see you like this."

Damien's expression softened immediately, looking at Camilla with tenderness.

I suddenly felt utterly exhausted.

"I want a divorce," I said softly, but it plunged the ballroom into deathly silence again.

Damien's face turned deathly pale, then twisted into a furious snarl. "What did you say?"

"I said, I want a divorce," I repeated firmly, enunciating each word.

"You dare!" He advanced on me in one swift step, his finger nearly jabbing my face. "The contract still has five years left!"

I laughed, an earnest chuckle escaping my lips. "It's fine; I'll find a way to pay off the penalty. I'd rather spend my life in debt than spend another single day as your substitute."

"Who do you think you are? Without me, you're nothing!" His fury was palpable.

I shook my head gently. "I am Sienna, not Isla, or anyone's shadow."

Five years ago, I thought marrying him was my salvation; now, I understand that leaving him is my true rebirth.

I turned and walked towards the door, and this time, I didn't stop.

Behind me, the sound of a glass shattering and Damien's furious roar filled the air, "Sienna! Come back here!"

Once I stepped out of the banquet hall, a cold wind blew, making me shiver and bringing a stark clarity.

Clarity that finally gave me the courage to say, "I want a divorce."

A sleek black car pulled up slowly, the window rolling down to reveal Damien's stern face.

"Get in." His voice was cold, devoid of any emotion.

I shook my head, hugging my arms tightly around myself. "No, I will never go back."

"Sienna!" He practically spat out my name through clenched teeth. "Don't forget what you owe me!"

Those words triggered a flood of painful memories from five years ago...

The rain pattered outside, the bedroom filled with the familiar scent of cologne.

Damien stood by the closet, a light purple silk nightgown dangling from his hand.

"Put it on." He tossed the nightgown onto the bed, his eyes cold as ice.

I picked up the nightgown, the musty scent of old perfume hitting my nose.

"This... is her dress?" I whispered in disbelief.

Damien lit a cigarette, his gaze dark and brooding through the swirling smoke.

"The contract clearly states you only need to do as I say."

Touching the silk gown, a sense of defilement overwhelmed me.

Biting my lip, I walked into the bathroom, tears streaming down my face.

Staring at my reflection, draped in another woman's clothing, I looked like a pathetic puppet, a cruel jest of a clown.

The nightgown was a size too big, hanging loosely on me, a constant reminder of my "stand-in" status.

When I left the bathroom, only a dim bedside lamp illuminated the room.

Damien leaned against the headboard; the moment he saw me, his eyes burned with a heated and unfocused desire.

"Come here." He patted the spot beside him, his voice unnaturally tender.

My steps were rigid, like a marionette on strings, as I moved towards him.

As I got closer, his fingers traced my cheek, but his eyes didn't see me.

"Isla..." he whispered the name that wasn't mine.

I closed my eyes, letting his lips brush my neck.

"Do you know how much I've missed you?" His voice was hoarse, laden with insanity.

I didn't respond because I knew those words weren't meant for me.

His actions grew more intense, as if trying to release years of pent-up longing.

In the heat of passion, he suddenly gripped my throat, the force suffocating me.

"Why did you leave me?" His eyes were bloodshot as he roared, "Why!"

"...Damien..." I struggled to breathe, "I am... Sienna..."

His grip tightened violently, "How dare you impersonate her?"

I was on the verge of passing out, breath strangled from my lungs. I clawed at his wrist desperately, my nails digging into his skin.

Just when I thought I would die, he finally let go.