It was a perfect day. The clear, blue sky was doming the earth like a mighty warrior. The birds are chirping happily as they enjoyed the perfect sun. The refreshing breeze was circling the surroundings, making everyone enjoy the warmth of summer. Indeed, what a great day for a wedding to commence!

Meanwhile, Sapphire 'Sara' Harris, the bride was waiting inside the bridal car. She leaned outside the car window, with her heart throbbing inside her chest like crazy. On the other side of the tinted glass, she witnessed how the wedding coordinator was helping her wedding entourage line up for the procession. Some visitors were holding their phones and taking pictures while others were looking in her direction and excitedly waiting for her to step down from the vehicle. Everyone was looking forward to seeing her in her white wedding dress.

Seeing all these, Sara heaved a sigh. She took out her phone from her purse and dialed a familiar number. After three buzzes, the call was finally answered.

“Hello, sister?”

“Violet! Where are you? I have been waiting for you since yesterday!” Sara exclaimed with a hint of irritation as the bridal car driver peaked through the rearview mirror. Sara plastered a faint smile assuring him that everything was fine.

Violet heaved a sigh on the other line, making Sarah arch a brow.

[I am sorry, my dear twin… Dad asked me to take care of some business deals here in Barcelona, a thing that proved to be a bit difficult to accomplish. However, I was able to close the deals but unfortunately, the unexpected delays made me miss your wed—”

“What??! You are not coming?” Sara asked in disbelief. Her voice held a tremor.

[I am really sorry, Sara. I tried my best to finish everything in time for your wedding but I failed. Here’s the thing, I’ll make it up to you once I get home, alright?”] Violet apologized.

Sarah crept a thin smile on her lips as she examined her nails and responded, “You don’t need to apologize, Violet. I should be the one who should ask for your forgiveness...” Sarah muttered in a low tone that she knew Violet could miss.

[What is it again, sis? I’m sorry, but I missed the last thing you said. I think my connection wasn’t stable right now. Can you repeat it?] But before she could say anything, the wedding coordinator tapped on the tinted window advising her that everything was set.

Sara cleared her throat, “Violet, I have to go. The wedding is about to start. See you when I see you.”

Sara immediately ended the call not bothering to wait for her twin sister’s last words. She opened the car door, wearing a warm facial expression as if she was thrilled with the idea of being wedded to Tyler Kurtzman. But behind that fake smile was the truth that she didn’t want any of this.

Who would desire a marriage based solely on a business merger? No one! Sara preferred the freedom of her being single. She did not want this marriage, as it would confine her inside the four corners of the house and would live as a homemaker. For Sara, thinking about it made her sick to her stomach. She was like a bird who was destined to explore the earth, not being jailed to a cage she called “marriage”.

The worst part is, that she would be tied to a man she didn’t even love. How cruel!

But in the end, she swallowed all these thoughts to herself and continued with her pretensions.

Sara had entered the church wearing a simple, overflowing gown. Everyone gasped when they saw how beautiful she was. His groom, Tyler, was over the moon.

While walking down the aisle, Sara could perceive how delighted the crowd inside the church was. They clapped their hands, and even the bride and groom's parents shed a tear, except for her.

Tyler Kurtzman took the handkerchief out of his pocket. His tears fell while watching his girl walk down the aisle. He had always loved Sara Harris. She was the woman he wanted to be with forever. Though their marriage had some business touches to it, his love for Sara was genuine from the start. The advantages of the business collaboration that were tied to this marriage were just an added bonus. Above anything else, he wanted Sara to be his wife and finally, it happened.

"Do you, Tyler Kurtzman, take this woman to be your wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?" the Priest asked. Tyler could feel his hand sweating in bullets and how his hands were shaking.

"I do," Tyler responded. There was a firmness in his voice on how certain he was to marry the woman in front of him, making Sara, on the other hand, click her tongue secretly.

As Tyler gazed down at Sara. Sara just gave him a warm smile.

The Priest shifted his eyes to Sarah. "Do you, Sara Harris, take this man to be your wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?" Tyler couldn't prevent himself from smiling as he heard Sara's answer.

"I-I do…" Sara's voice was quite tense. However, Tyler believes that his bride is nervous. The crowd even misinterpreted Sara's behavior, considering that the bride was quite uneasy, causing her to become anxious. Following the ceremony, the two exchanged rings. Tyler's hand trembled as he placed the ring on Sara's finger and kissed it.

After the Priest announced that Tyler could finally kiss his bride, he removed Sara's veil and pulled her out for a kiss, but instead of feeling the warmth, Sara pulled away immediately after their lips touched.

"I-I'm Shy…sorry," Sara whispered while palming her mouth. Tyler nodded as he jerked a grin because he found his wife adorable. Well, he couldn’t blame her. They have been dating for three years already but never really make out. After all, it was their first kiss.

The wedding ceremony was over. Sara and Tyler were officially married.

The night came and it was time for them to consummate their marriage. Tyler had been looking forward to this day, as he vowed to not touch Sara until their wedding night. But instead of spending a passionate first night with his wife, he was left with an already sleeping Sara. Tyler scratched his head, thinking to himself that his wife must have been too tired to have sex with him. “Sara must have stressed herself with the wedding preparations. The sleepless nights must have taken their toll,” he thought to himself.

And so, Tyler slept on the bed beside his already sleeping wife. But on the next day, he found himself alone. A note was sitting on the top of his bedside drawer. Beside it was a colored paper which he thought was their marriage contract.

Tyler’s heart was banging inside his ribcage. His hands were trembling as he slowly opened the letter.

“I’M SORRY, TYLER,” it said.

The man was confused. He did not know what that note was for and why his wife was not there beside him. Curiosity knocked at his doorstep as his eyes fixed on the marriage contract beside the mysterious letter. Without thinking twice, he took it and read what it said. All the colors on his face were immediately gone the moment he realized what it said.

Tyler wasted no time and quickly dressed up. He took his car keys and drove straight to the Harris’ Residence, arriving there at no time. Mr. Harris welcomed his son-in-law with so much enthusiasm.

“Tyler! It was quite a surprise. I thought you were on your way to Hawaii for your honeymoon?”

But instead of answering the old man, he asked him a different question instead, “Where is Sara?”

Mr. Harris creased his eyebrows. “Why are you looking for your wife here? She should have been on your bed. You just had your wedding yesterday, remember?”

Just in time, a familiar woman entered the house. It was Violet, Sara’s twin sister, who had just come back from her trip to Barcelona. Before she would have greeted his dad and brother-in-law, Tyler marched toward her direction and gave her a slap on the face.

“You slut! How could you do this to me and Sara?!”

Holding her throbbing cheeks, Violet turned to Tyler. “What the hell did you do that for? What did I do this time?”

Mr. Harris was equally surprised. “Can someone tell me what the fuck is going on here?”

Tyler was flushing red with too much anger. “This daughter of yours deceived us! Her name was stamped on our marriage certificate instead of her twin sister's name! So technically, I was married to her and not to Sara!”

Violet’s world turned upside down. She didn’t comprehend what she just heard.

“What did you just say?” she asked as she was looking at Tyler’s furious eyes.

“Don’t play dumb, bitch! I know it is you who planned to be my substitute wife.”

“Don’t play dumb, bitch! I know it is you who planned to be my substitute wife.”

Violet was perplexed as to why her signature was stamped on the marriage certificate. She took out the marriage certificate from Tyler’s hand to see for herself. Her hand trembled as she reread the signature.

She couldn't digest what had just happened. She shook her head and refused what she had just seen. “I didn’t do this. I was out in Barcelona for three months. How could this be?”

"Violet! Explain this! Why was your signature there instead of your sister's?" Dominic Harris, who appeared clueless earlier, already got his senses back and finally realized what was going on.

Hearing his dad’s voice, Violet panicked. “Dad…I…”

Pak!

Another slap landed on Violet’s cheek. This time, it came from her dad. “You shameless cunt! How dare you do this to your twin sister! You are a worthless piece of shit!”

The words pierced Violet’s heart. All her life, she wanted nothing but her dad’s love. But after this, she was sure that her dream of getting his affection was thrown out of the window already.

"Dad, I swear! I will never do such a thing as this! I love my twin sister, and I will never sabotage her own wedding to pull such a scheme like this!" Violet retorted as she gazed at him with pleading eyes.

"I can’t believe this is happening," Tyler said. He sat on the sofa while massaging his temple. His hands formed a fist, and his jaw clenched. He was not saying anything but his aura was enough to terrify Violet.

"I swear, I never forged my signature there! I just came back from Spain, and this matter welcomed me. Dad, call someone from the Notary Public Services! I'll prove to all of you that I am innocent." Violet said, her arms folded defiantly across her chest. She was beyond scared, but knowing that she was innocent was giving her the necessary comfort she needs

Violet was expecting to meet her father's praise as soon as she stepped her foot inside after successfully sealing their needed business deal, but this happened. She needed to talk to Sara. She was the only one who could get her out of this mess!

"Where's Sara? I need to talk t—" she was cut off when Tyler spoke, making her stunned as if she was struck by thunder.

"How long will you continue to pretend? You stamped your signature on the document, and now you're acting as if you have no idea where Sara is?" Tyler remarked with a tone of disdain.

Violet could not help but experience a sharp, heart-piercing agony. “Sara….Sara is gone?”

“Well, yeah! As if you didn’t know!” Tyler retorted back.

Violet was about to open her mouth to defend herself when the doorbell rang, revealing one of Dominic Harris's friends who could help them to resolve the matter. Once the man strode inside and briefly introduced himself, Tyler gave the certificate to the man. He checked the document and inspected it diligently.

Meanwhile, Violet’s heart was beating so fast. She constantly reminded herself that everything would be okay but why did she feel differently? Why did she feel that something bad would happen? All her worries came true when the man opened his mouth.

"The signature was authentic. This was not forged."

The man even double-checked it so they knew that his words were final. It was Violet Harris’ signature!

The woman fell silent as she swallowed the dryness of her throat. How did that happen? His dad shook the man’s hand and guided him to the door. When the man was completely out of the mansion, Dominic Harries turned to his daughter.

"D-Dad?"

Pak!

Violet found herself holding her swollen cheeks as she fell violently to the ground. She glanced at her furious father. Her father laid a hand on her, for the second time, as her eyes misted in tears. When will the day happen that her father will believe her? All of her life, she has only lived behind her sister's shadow.

"How dare you deceive us! I never raise you to be a lying bitch!” Dominic Harris exclaimed. His voice was hard as steel.

"D-Dad L-Listen to me pleas—"

"Where is Sara?" Tyler questioned as he rose to his feet and glared at the woman who had the audacity to deceive him.

"I don't know…" Violet murmured, wiping the tears in her eyes.

"Just tell us the truth, Violet! Where is your sister?!" Tyler yelled while shaking her shoulders violently. His eyes darkened as though he was prepared to kill someone if he did not find Sara within the day.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Kurtzman, but I had no idea why my signature was on the paper. I swear I didn't do anything."

"Stop acting like you are sorry because you are not! You were already caught yet you continue to spat your lies!”

Violet wanted to shout at the top of her lungs that she was innocent and could not have committed the allegation.

How come her signature was on the document, she had not heard Sara's voice since the day of her wedding.

“You don’t need to apologize, Violet. I should be the one who should ask for your forgiveness...”

'Wait…Sara said something that day. No... Sara, what have you done?!' Violet seemed astounded upon her realization.

Suddenly, a flashback crossed her mind after Sara's wedding day was announced. Sara barged into her room while Violet was preparing for her trip to Spain. She was holding a glass of milk and a document she wanted her to sign when she entered her room. In Sara’s words, it was just a business proposal that Violet needed to sign and approve. She didn’t bother to read and scan the document before tying her signature to it. That was how much she trusted her sister Sara!

Big mistake.

Violet's mind was clear. She didn't know how she would tell her father about it, that Sara was behind this scheme and not her. But the question she needed to ponder was, Why did Sara do such a thing? She knew that her sister loved her freedom so much, but was that enough to put her in a very difficult situation like this?

Why did she have to be the sacrificial lamb for Sara’s happiness?”

Violet was baffled as she sat on the couch. Tyler and Dominic Harris were discussing how to address the situation as if Violet didn't exist and they were just concerned with Sara, who was still missing at that moment. A bitter taste filled Violet’s mouth. It had been like this ever since.

Sara was the perfect daughter while she remained scorned, unwanted, and despised by their own father.

How pathetic her life was!

"Tyler, I understand that you wouldn’t wish to remain married to Violet. You could just divorce her, you know. As for Sara, I will ask my men to search for her whereabouts so that we can push through the wedding. This time, I will make sure that no one would come between your union,” Mr. Harris said while throwing Violet a disgusted look.

Violet bowed her head. She expected that Tyler would agree immediately because the man was madly in love with Sara, but to Violet's surprise, the man said a totally different response.

"No, I'll push this marriage with her," Tyler muttered gruffly, his hand in his pocket as he went with a grim scowl towards the woman. Tyler despised Violet to the core, and Violet could tell it based on his expression. “I need to get married to have my shares in our company. I can stay married to Violet, and once I find Sara, I will dump this liar and move on with my life.”

Hearing his son-in-law’s evil plan toward his unwanted daughter, the father plastered a smirk. “As you wish, my boy.”

"You," Tyler said, pointing to Violet, "pack your belongings and come with me." Tyler wore a devilish grin as he traversed the space between him and Violet. The woman was terrified. She knew that that smile meant something bad was about to happen to her.

"You wish to take on the role of my wife? Fine! But I will make your life a living hell, so much that you would wish you have never been born.”

For the sixth time, Violet sighed heavily. She brewed the tea that Tyler had told her to prepare minutes ago. Afterward, she promptly transferred it to the transparent glass and stirred it, creating a mild green concoction.

As the tea was placed on the tray, Violet paired it with a Ham sandwich for savory. Violet's auburn eyes landed on the burns on her palm while placing the three slices of sandwich to the Tray.

Tyler's abrupt changes of mood and directives had made Violet on pins and needles. As a result, she got harmed. Tyler had previously told her to cook, and once she had done so, the man would throw away the food as if it weighed nothing and issue her another demand.

Although moving to Tyler's house was against Violet's will, it somehow brought a sense of delight to her heart. Despite the man's hard jeers and disdainful stares, Violet couldn't blame him. After all, she was somehow accountable on behalf of Sara's scheme.

Violet soon went to Tyler's office. Tyler was snowed under the heaps of papers on his table when she opened the door. His expression was solemn, so she knocked with the other hand, although the door was slightly lit.

"What's that?" Tyler remarked without breaking his gaze on the document in his hand.

Violet put the tray on the available space of Tyler's office table and responded, "After you threw away the food I had prepared minutes ago, you told me you wanted a tea and sandwich instead."

Upon hearing Violet's response, Tyler put down the papers in his hand on the table and cast a glance of contempt at Violet.

Tyler dislikes the way Violet speaks to him. The cunning woman in front of him has a sharp tongue, way too far from Sara. Sara has an angelic voice and a lighter demeanor than Violet Harris.

"Oh, Did I say that? Disregard it," Tyler mocked, crossing his arms defiantly.

In disbelief, frustration surged on Violet's beautiful face upon hearing Tyler's response. She pinched her palm and questioned, "Pardon?"

"Are you deaf? I said, disregard what you prepared and make another," Tyler retorted. He shot Violet a disdainful glare.

Violet's heart sank. Ever since she moved into Tyler's house, he never treated her right. Instead, he mocked her as a substitute wife, and true to his words, Tyler made her life miserable by being his maid.

In a trance, Violet took the tray and asked, "Why? Is there a problem? You haven't touched the tea yet."

In fact, Violet crossed Tyler's mansion to the grocery store to buy the type of tea he requested, and now the man wanted another, turning a blind eye to the untouched food.

Tyler stood exuberantly as his patience wore thin. He grabbed the tray in Violet's hand and flung it on the floor, making a resounding impact.

Tyler's eyes darkened in rage and snarled, "I don't like the tone of your voice, woman. Obey my orders, or else it will be too late when your father realizes that I already pulled my support in your family's company because of your disobedience? Let's see if your sharp tongue can do something!"

Tyler's words made Violet come to a halt as her head drooped. She tried hard not to burst into tears. Lucky for her, Tyler stormed out of the room before her tears began to fall.

She crouched on the floor, her shoulder slumped, and gently picked up the debris of shattered glass. Then, with a sigh, Violet reminisced on the first time she gave all of her attention to the man she was secretly in love with.

Back then, Violet and Sara were both college students at Primrose University, the finest educational institution in the San Francisco, California. Fortunately, they both attended the same section where Sara was famous.

Violet, on the other hand, was the polar opposite of her twin sister. She loves to wear odd clothes and was fond of books books related to business. Moreover, the two daughters of the Harris Family are easily distinguished by anyone around them. Their voices were also distinct; Sara had an angelic and delicate tone, whereas Violet had a gentle manner but constantly seemed distant.

One time, Violet met a man named Tyler Kurtzman, who mistook her for her twin while she was in the library. And there, she met the first person who made her heart skip a beat. Since then, Violet has started to adore Tyler from afar. However, when Violet discovers that Tyler is her twin's boyfriend, she bears her young love alone.

Tyler adored and cared for Sara as if she were his only salvation in this cruel world. Who wouldn't? Sara was the Light, while Violet was always lurking in the shadows. Sara was the pinnacle of elegance and wit, and something about her made everyone admire her. Her life was ideal; she had their father's love, attention, and devotion, while Violet was unloved, unappreciated, and unwanted.

There were times Violet secretly wished that she was Sara. And that time, Violet realized how she and Tyler's world were apart and kept her love for him alone in the dark.

Snapping back from her reverie, Violet successfully picked up all the remaining pieces of the broken glass. She stood holding the tray with crumbled slices of the sandwich as she smiled feebly, thinking that her efforts would never be enough to please Tyler.

The following days continued, and Violet suffered in silence. Her husband neglected her and treated her like a worthless thing, as if she was invisible.

Violet kept wondering why Sara had left this responsibility to her, even in the first place; Sara was the one to blame for why Violet ended up in this mess.

There wouldn't be a time that Violet never stopped reaching for Sara's contact number. However, every time she did, it was out of coverage area. Violet knew that Sara just wanted to get away from this situation, but trapping and duping her in this situation was something that made Violet hold a peeve against her sister.

In search of an answer, she wanted Sara to explain everything once her sister returned. In the future, she would clean her name, prove her innocence that she was deceived by Sara's ploy all along, and distance herself from anyone as she always does.

After a few moments of contemplation, Violet went downstairs to get some water to soothe her thoughts because her mind might explode by thinking about how this happened to her.

She then pinched her palm after realizing that the entire mansion felt lonely to live in. Tyler had gone out earlier without a word, and when she asked him where he was heading out, instead of giving her an answer he gave her the cold shoulder.

'Would there be any differences if I was the first person he met?' Violet chuckled in pain as she brushed off her thought.

When the evening came, Violet had been agitated because there wasn't any trace of Tyler. Perhaps, he goes outside to find Sara.

As she heard a sound from Tyler's car, Violet sprang up from the couch. She opened the door for him, and to her surprise, the man wasn't in good shape. Violet smelt the alcohol from his breath, which indicated that Tyler was intoxicated. She aptly bridged the gap between her and Tyler as she held to his left shoulder and assisted him upstairs.

"If you're going to drink liquor till you pass out, make sure you can handle yourself," Violet stated bluntly.

Hearing this, Tyler groaned in annoyance. Tyler is a tall man, and Violet's height is deemed ordinary, making it difficult for her to accompany him to his room.

When they reached the bedroom, Violet flung Tyler to the bed and took off his shoes. Violet gazed around Tyler's chamber, her mouth slightly parted as she noticed a picture of Sara on the wall. There was also a photo of Sara and Tyler as a couple from college; the most recent one was on their wedding day.

Violet frowned as sorrow crept over her face. Sara and Tyler had a good relationship that every girl dreamed of. How could she run away and leave Violet to suffer?

She shook her head and went downstairs to fill the water on the oval basin with a white towel while simultaneously preparing coffee, in order for him to sober a little.

Violet then hurried inside Tyler's room, almost running upstairs, terrified that Tyler would do something stupid while drunk.

As soon as Violet saw Tyler sleeping comfortably in his bed, she breathed a sigh of relief. She then gradually dumped the wet towel on his face with the urge not to wake Tyler up. Violet took this opportunity to stare at the sleeping man tenderly.

Suddenly, Violet halted when Tyler's firm grip caught her, which made her wrist swollen, and asked, "What are you up to?"

"I'm cleaning you," Violet said flatly.

Tyler let go of her and dragged himself out of bed. Based on his movements, he is still intoxicated while Violet swallows the lump forming in her throat.

The mood is downbeat, so Violet takes the coffee she had prepared and offers it to Tyler. She cleared her throat and spoke, "I-I prepared a coffee for you to ease you—"

"I don't need it. I only need Sara," Tyler blurted without a hint of hesitation.

"But Sara wasn't her—" Violet closed her eyes harshly and tensed as Tyler flung the cup of coffee on the floor, causing it to break into fragments.

"Yeah, Sara wasn't here, and it was all your fault!" Tyler scowled.

Driven by rage, Tyler hit the wall near Violet, which made the woman jolted and shouted, "Stop doing this because Sara was the one I married in front of the altar, and you were just the one who stamped her signature, my wife in the pa—"

Before Tyler could finish, Violet's palm landed on his face. The woman's eyes misted with tears as she stepped away and exclaimed, "Have you ever asked me if I wanted this marriage? I never imagined myself marrying someone like you! I might not be Sara, but I am a woman! Fragile, vulnerable, and capable of feeling pain!"

Violet wept as she dried her tears like a child who exploded the misery she bore for a long time and lamented, "If you only see me as a cunning woman, at least... Show some respect for me as a human if you can't respect me as Sara's sister!"

Violet didn't dare to glance at and left. With uncertainty about where her feet might lead her, Violet felt like her heart had been ripped into pieces as she wished the misery and pain piercing her heart would go away.