“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.

After getting accustomed to Tyler's unjust treatment, Violet woke up from bed and immediately did her morning routine. September's weather was the fairest of all; the temperature was mildly warm as the breeze wandered around the mansion and brought a sense of tranquility.

Minutes later, Violet took a bath and wrapped herself in a vintage shirt and jeans. She then dashed downstairs without making any noise, afraid that she might wake Tyler up. It was already five-thirty in the morning, and Tyler usually goes down in the kitchen at six o'clock in his executive attire.

After heating the meat that Violet took from the refrigerator, she prepared the ingredients she'll need for the dish she'd cook for breakfast.

Violet moved around freely in the kitchen as if she owned it. Cooking had been Violet's leisure time. She loved cooking, one of the skills she could brag about. In fact, Sara disliked the idea of cooking. Back then, their kitchen almost burned down when her twin sister tried to cook. Instead of getting mad at Sara for her impulsive action, Dominic Harris, their father, blamed Violet for being irresponsible in not aiding Sara.

After nearly an hour, she placed the grilled meat, bacon, creamy mushroom, brie, and pancetta croissants on the round marble table.

"That should suffice," Violet muttered, wiping her sweat on her forehead.

Soon, Violet heard Tyler's rough footsteps upstairs, which send shivers down her spine. Each steps, It made Violet's heart missed a beat. She took the tray, and as Tyler saw her, Violet lowered her head and walked passed him. Suddenly, Tyler spoke, which stunned her.

"Good Morning," Tyler greeted.

With the thought that her ears had played tricks with her, Violet brushed off her bewilderment and uttered, "What did you just say? I think I missed it."

Tyler snapped his fingers, which made Violet's eyes blink twice. The man leaned closer and stated, "It seems like you are still drowsy, which made your senses at a loss. I said, Good morning, wife."

In a daze, Violet's lips quivered. Tyler called Violet, his wife, and even greeted her. It was the first time he had done that. Since they married and lived on the same roof, Tyler only neglected her and made her suffer. So, Violet reached Tyler's forehead and felt his temperature, thinking he might have a fever and be in a dilemma.

"You don't have a fever..." Violet murmured out of the blue.

Tyler's brow furrowed as he plucked Violet's forehead, causing Violet to wince as she moved backward.

"Of course, I have to work as a beaver in the future to make up for everything," Tyler retorted. Tyler sneered slightly as he sat in the chair, staring at Violet, who was perplexed inches away.

Nonetheless, Violet was still clueless about Tyler's unusual gestures. Her mind finds it suspicious, but her heart feels warm upon seeing how Tyler treats her. Perhaps, what had happened yesterday changed Tyler's impression of her.

Violet's heart was filled with optimism as she watched Tyler consume the breakfast she had prepared. Violet observed her husband's loving side at that moment, which she thought he could only express to Sara in the past.

When Violet chose to be content with Tyler's pleasant mood, silence reigned between the two of them. Violet jolted onto the seat when Tyler held Violet's hand across the Table.

"T-Tyler, I'm not Sara..." Violet whispered feebly. When Violet had the thought in her head that perhaps Tyler treated her this sweetly, it was maybe he mistook her again for Sara, just like what had happened back then.

Violet saw how Tyler sighed in frustration before responding, "Violet, I know my sudden demeanor confused you, but I wanted to apologize for what I did since we became husband and wife. I am mad. Who wouldn't? I was left in bed after getting married to Sara, and the next morning I found myself married not to her but to you. I was devastated and made you suffer in my anger. I'm sorry, Violet. This time, I wanted to make amends with you and treat you not as a servant but as my wife. Will you forgive me?"

Hearing this, Violet's heart leaped in joy as she felt the rising sob from her. Tyler asked forgiveness and even wanted to treat her right as his wife. Who wouldn't be happy? For years of secretly loving him in the dark, she yearned for Tyler to notice that Violet Harris also existed.

Tears began to fall from Violet's eyes as she sobbed. "Yes, I forgive you, Tyler," Violet responded.

Stunned, Tyler averted his gaze when he saw Violet's smiling face with tears in her eyes and shifted his eyes to his wristwatch. He said, "Wait here, I have a gift for you."

Violet froze upon hearing Tyler's words. She was about to speak, but Tyler dashed upstairs, leaving her unsaid words. While waiting for Tyler, Violet felt her heart's surge of excitement and instantaneous vibration.

Tyler came back to the Table with a long box in his hand. The box was wrapped with red ribbon and cute laces. He handed it to Violet and said, "I hope you'll like that."

Violet beamed warmly as she opened the gift, overjoyed. She looked at Tyler, taken aback by what she had seen inside the present. It was a crimson dress. The clothing was too provocative for her thing.

Violet cleared her throat as Tyler interjected, "I assumed the dress didn't meet your expectations. I'm sorry, I should have asked you first about your tast—"

"No, I-I'm just surprised...besides, it was the first gift I had received from you, so rest assured, I'll wear this," Violet responded, forcing a faint smile.

"Really? Then, would you cook dinner later? Wear the dress, and let's have our first date at home."

At that moment, the tears that Violet had suppressed fell down once more as she spoke, "Sure! I'll wait for you." Violet agreed instantly.

Tyler's lips twitched as he stood up. "Everything was settled. I'm looking forward to our first date tonight."

As soon as Tyler turned his back and left, Violet's legs weakened as she slumped on the floor with her cheeks flushed red. A glint of hope hinted in her eyes in silence because, for the first time, Tyler didn't mistook her for Sara and promised to treat her right.

Meanwhile, A refined and formidable man was seated inside a luxurious plane to which only elites had access. Inside the First Class, with his slender fingers, he reached for his wallet and took a picture of the most beautiful woman in his eyes. It has been years since she left her with their pinky promise, but each night he was away from her, their memories hunt him.

The man had to move abroad to study and left the woman he loved with no choice because he knew that if their fate were intertwined, their paths would definitely cross in the future.

Everyone might preach to her the opposite of her sister, but she stands out the most in his eyes. Back then, he couldn't fight for their love, but now, he was ready to win her back and deliver the world upon her feet because she deserved it.

As his hazelnut eyes examined the woman's face, he caressed the picture using his thumb lovingly and whispered, "The long wait is over, Violet. I returned as I promised, and I would never leave again."