I spent the entire night walking from the Behavioral Correction Center to Sadler Manor. It was dawn by the time I arrived.

I hadn't received a single message or call on my phone throughout the entire night.

I stood outside the door, hearing the sounds of music and glasses clinking ring out from behind the glass. I could also hear Vivianne's laughter.

…

The moment one of the staff opened the door, the light from inside shone onto my washed-out clothes.

Hugh's brows furrowed together when he turned and saw me. "Why are you dressed like that? Are you trying to seek our attention again?"

I looked down.

This was the only set of clothes I had. It was the facility's uniform, and its colors had long faded from repeated washing.

Hugh observed me closely. "Look at you, all frail and meek. Did you purposely make yourself look like this so we would feel sorry for you?"

"I am fine," I replied quietly.

Those were the first three words I learned at the facility. After all, having any sort of emotion in that place was considered a mistake.

My mother, Rosalie, was taken aback by how obedient I was. "We'd planned to pick you up at first, Nessie. Viv had a sudden headache, so—"

Andrew cut her off. "Yeah. We couldn't make it in time due to some emergency matters."

"It's alright," came my quiet response.

They all sighed in relief upon hearing that. They were used to people being submissive to them, something that I seemed to be doing right now.

With a scoff, Hugh commented, "It looks like you finally learned your manners in that place."

Rosalie looked glad. "Since you've changed your bad habits, we'll still be your family. We can start over as long as you continue being a good girl."

I smiled lightly. "Thank you, Mrs. Sadler."

The smile on her face froze when she heard me call her that. She seemed stunned, as if this was the first time hearing someone address her this way.

Vivianne walked over at that moment. A familiar pink diamond necklace was draped around her neck.

Matteo, my fiance, had bought that necklace for her.

Her smile was tender and innocent as she looked at me. "I've already forgiven you, Vanessa. So, why don't we let bygones be bygones?"

I gazed at her in silence, recalling what had happened a year ago.

The Giovanni family had hosted a charity banquet that night. Vivianne had gone onstage to play the piano while I stood by Matteo.

He had then publicly announced that he was going to fund Vivianne's art project.

When Matteo personally put that pink diamond necklace on Vivanne's neck, the media journalists had taken countless pictures. It made headlines with the title "Is Vivianne Sadler Seducing Her Own Future-Brother-In-Law?".

…

Vivianne was sent to a private clinic the very next day due to an alleged emotional breakdown. I was consequently accused of being the cause of her "psychological issues".

The Sadler family's PR team leapt to action. They needed a scapegoat for the family's scandal and ended up choosing me to fulfill that role.

What followed was a false DNA report that was sent to the family's team of lawyers and a public statement that claimed, "Vanessa Sadler is not related to the Sadlers by blood—she was adopted".

Just like that, I was signed off to the facility.

None of them came to visit me even once during my one year there.

Now, Vivianne was standing right before me once again.

I calmly nodded. "Okay."

She looked relieved and smiled, pleased. She thought I still cared about those false accusations she made against me.

However, I only cared about one thing—taking my ID and personal documents with me before leaving this place forever.

Rosalie joined the chorus while Andrew raised his glass, to which Hugh topped it up with champagne.

Matteo was sitting beside Vivianne. He quietly said something to her, making her giggle sweetly.

None of them paid attention to me as I stood there in the doorway.

I had once tried so hard to be part of their family, but now, I finally understood that leaving this place was the only way to retain my last shred of dignity.

Matteo kept on gazing at me from the side. He seemed very pleased by how "mature" I was.

"Nessie, since you're more obedient now," he began in a neutral tone, "we'll proceed with the wedding the day after tomorrow. It's just like how we agreed before."

He then paused and glanced at Vivianne before saying to me, "Before we get to that step, you'd need to apologize to Viv first."

Matteo's tone left no room for refusal. "If you can't even do that, then I'll send you back to the facility myself."

Vivianne gently tugged on my hand with a tender smile. "It's okay, Nessie. I'll accept your apology."

She was so perfectly kind and understanding that it felt like she had already rehearsed this.

I gazed at her, feeling incredulous.

I'd told them countless times a year ago that I hadn't been responsible for what happened to Vivian. Yet, no one had been able to vouch for me after she allegedly broke down.

Even Matteo—whom I grew up with and was my fiance at that point—had been the first to toss those accusations at me.

That false DNA report had then eradicated my status as a daughter of the Sadler family, making Vivianne the one true "heiress".

After that, he personally sent me to the Behavioral Correction Center.

Though that place looked like some wellness center for the elite, it was actually used to "reform" those who brought shame to the Giovannis.

One had no need to resist or explain themselves. All they needed to do was learn to remain quiet.

It was something I finally learned. Taking a deep breath, I looked at Vivianne.

Then, with a slow bow, I apologized softly, "Vivianne, I'm sorry."

Everyone went silent in an instant.

None of them had expected me to swallow my pride. After all, if this were a year ago, I would have insisted that I was innocent.

Vivianne was briefly stunned before she chuckled. "It's okay. I forgive you."

She really had a perfect smile.

Rosalie's eyes reddened slightly. "You're such a good girl, Vivianne."

Hugh snorted. "What are you waiting for? Hurry up and thank your sister!"

Vivianne gently embraced me. "Don't say stuff like that! We're all family, aren't we?"

"Thank you," I obeyed with a faint smile.

They all thought I had said that due to gratitude. In truth? It was nothing more than goodbye.

"Since you've turned a new leaf, then you'll still be our daughter," my father added. "We'll announce on the day of your wedding that there had been a mistake with the DNA report and you are our daughter by blood."

"Thank you, Mr. Sadler," I thanked him obediently.

They thought I was looking forward to that wedding and their statement of welcoming me home. However, none of them knew that what I looked forward to was actually freedom.

I was led to my room, which was in the staff area of the manor.

I found my ID and personal documents, after which I booked a flight to leave this place tomorrow night.

…

I went to get a glass of water late at night that day.

A familiar figure came into view when I was about to turn the corner in the hallway.

It was Hugh.

He had a coat on and was sneaking out of the house. He was also holding his car keys and smelled of an acrid mixture of perfume and alcohol.

I used to stop Hugh in the past. After all, the doctor had told him to take care of his health due to his heart condition.

I used to think I needed to take care of my family, but all I did tonight was silently stand in the corner and watch him leave.

Hugh would never know that the Vanessa Sadler who always tried to make her family better had long died.

This current version of me was nothing but calm and quiet while harboring plans of my own.

The next day, Matteo sent my wedding gown over—it was pink.

Vivianne loved pink, whereas I had always loved white. Even still, I accepted the dress with a smile.

"This was tailor-made according to Viv's preferences. If you don't like it…" he began.

I shook my head. "No. The dress looks good in pink, too."

Matteo was taken aback as his brows knitted together. "Are you sure you are okay with it?"

I nodded.

Satisfied, he then bobbed his head. With a sigh, he said, "If you were this obedient from the start, we would have married a year ago. You also wouldn't have had to go to the Behavioral Correction Center for reform. Get some rest. I want you to be at your best at our wedding tomorrow."

He left the room while I stayed seated at my bedside.

Every inch of the pink wedding gown was studded in diamonds and pearls that shimmered brightly.

It should have been a dream come true for me, yet I only stared at it calmly and with little emotion.

The door opened, revealing Vivianne in a pink lace dress. The envy in her eyes was obvious.

"Vanessa," Vivianne said with a grin, though her tone was sharp. "You don't actually believe the Giovannis would let you be Matteo's wife, do you?"

She came closer to me and lowered her voice before continuing, "A woman who's been in a place like that would only ever be a stain on her family's reputation."

"You're right." I looked up with a calm expression, taking her aback.

She was unnerved by how calm I was, having expected me to refute her and be in hysterics.

Yet, I did nothing of the sort.

Vivianne lifted her chin up and sneered. "You should've died in that place. There was no need for you to return home at all."

She then took out a pair of scissors. "Everything should've been mine from the start."

The sounds of the pearls falling to the floor were crisp and clear. My pink wedding gown was cut open again and again.

Vivianne cackled like a madwoman. "Everyone's going to think you ruined your own wedding dress out of dislike, and the wedding will be called off.

"What will Matteo think of you by then? How about Mom and Dad?" she commented gleefully.

I gazed at her, saying nothing.

She grew more irritated seeing how silent I was, hissing. "They'll even toss you back into that place!"

I gently shook my head. "Let them do so then."

She was stunned.

I got up, adding softly, "You actually don't need to worry at all. This wedding, Mom and Dad, Matteo—I don't want any of this at all."

Vivianne sneered. "What do you mean?"

I met her gaze. "I won't be going to tomorrow's wedding."

She stopped giggling.

I went over to my wardrobe and pulled out my already-packed luggage case.

Vivianne was frozen to the spot. "Where are you going?"

I looked back and smiled softly at her. "I just don't want to stay here anymore."

…

It was late at night as I walked out of Sadler Manor.

I didn't bid anyone goodbye nor turn back. The house lights remained on as they were.

I had folded that pink wedding gown up and left it in my bedroom. It would be my parting gift to this family.

Goodbye, everyone.

Goodbye, my former naivete.

…

The sounds of church bells ringing echoed early next morning.

All the wedding guests sat in their seats while cameras flashed throughout the entire church.

Matteo was standing under the flowery bower with a bouquet in his hands.

Hugh leaned in from beside him and grumbled, "Who does Vanessa think she is? Does she expect us to beg her to come out?"

Matteo's brows furrowed. This was the first time he had been so uncertain.

…

As the clock ticked on, the church doors remained shut.

A sense of unease grew in his chest—it was a fuzzy and indescribable sense of fear.

Then, his assistant suddenly ran over, crying in between heavy pants. "Mr. Giovanni! Ms. Vanessa is gone!"

Everything seemed to freeze at that moment.

Matteo was stunned to the spot.

His face went completely blank for the very first time in his life.