The night of my new-born son's birthday banquet, that was supposed to be a celebration, turned into a devastating tragedy.

Fire burned the grand Salvatore mansion, turning the villa into rubble.

“H-Help! Someone help please!” Smoke choked my throat horrendously as I clutched my newborn close to my heart, his tiny body shuddering against mine.

I turned in tears, searching for my only hope, when amidst thick black haze I saw Alexander Salvatore- my husband and my savior.

Relief flooded my senses as I held back a sob reaching out to him, finally-

“Victoria!”

Alexander's panicked voice cut through the atmosphere like a blade and my eyes widened in shock, feeling as if a bucket of ice cold water was poured over me.

Alexander Salvatore, my beloved husband who once made promises of love and devotion had not come for me.

But for her.

Victoria Vance. My twin sister, his childhood sweetheart that he could never forget.

I stood paralysed, in absolute devastation as my husband went past me, his strong arms wrapping around my twin sister protectively, shielding her from the collapsing ceiling.

“Alexander!” At this moment he did not even notice that the careless force of his shove had sent me sprawling on the stony ground, our newborn still in my grasp as burning debris rained down upon us injuring me gravely while I embraced my baby tightly lying in a pool of my own blood. \

“Save my child!”My vision dimmed and soon the heartwrenching cries of the baby were gone.

Stopped altogether.

______________________________

When I woke up surrounded by beeping machines, my entire world had changed.

Looking at my reflection in the cool polished tiles of the hospital floor I choked with tears as my once beautiful skin was now marred with dark burn scars making my fingers tremble.

Yet none of it compared to the agony that awaited me beyond the hospital door.

Outside, voices argued heatedly. “Mr. Alexander, how could you do

this? Handing over your own new-born son for a medical experiment?!”

The doctor’s voice wavered with disbelief and anger. “And worse, you let a novice, unqualified student operate on that small child hoping she could save him when the most qualified doctors were struggling?!

Miss Victoria had no experience!”

Victoria…Experiment? The very words struck me like lightning as my body swayed. No, I must have heard wrongly.

My mind must be playing tricks on me. I completely froze, forced to hear the coldblooded conversation with chills running down my spine.

"My son? I highly doubt that bastard was my son!" My eyes widened as I heard Alexander.

“Earlier too, it was Miss Victoria who gave your two year old daughter Mila a wrong diagnosis resulting in that child's terrible demise!"

"Yes, it was all my mistake..."

Victoria's honeyed voice interrupted the doctor, crying in distress before she continued sniffing.

"Mila was a special case doctor, with a hole in her heart how much longer would she have survived! I needed to test the latest operating procedure of heart surgery on a patient but when no one was ready Alexander steeped in with his daughter to boost my confidence!

S-She was my niece, my twin sister Amelia's daughter, doctor how can you make it s-sound like I deliberately killed her….it was a mistake-"

“She could have been your niece but not necessarily my daughter. God knows what kind of men Amelia has rolled around to get pregnant!" Alexander's cold voice boomed before he continued.

"Mila was just too fragile, you just tested some drugshots under clinical trial on her body, she died because she was born faulty, nobody is blaming you for her death, either ways I would have discarded her sooner or later!"

Alexander’s voice boomed tinged with little grief, making me stumble back, my eyes wide in horror as angry hot tears dwindled.

Mila?

He thought that our precious daughter was an illegitimate child?

My dead daughter’s name was like a dagger being twisted to my heart.

My breaths came out in short gasps as I trembled hard gritting my teeth as blood trickled down the corner of my mouth like a mother beast out of control.

Two years ago, my little girl was kidnapped from right infront of my eyes, and I as her mother could do nothing to save her.

I had watched Alexander desperate and broken for our daughter’s whereabouts as he did not spare any effort, sending military helicopters to scour the land for three sleepless days and nights.

But when they finally found her, my sweet Mila was already dead, discarded on the outskirts of the city like trash. That time Alexander told the entire world calling me a witch unworthy of being a mother, that it was not my fault and that he will kindly ‘forgive me’.

Only now I finally understood why the kidnappers were never caught. And why my daughter never got justice.

My Mila had not been taken away..

Alexander did not care for her at all and gave her up to Victoria.

All these years I could never forgive myself and endured all the humiliation and hatred without a word but only now I realised the murderous scheme of my husband and sister.

“B-but this time...maybe it's my fault, Alexander...” Victoria’s voice, drenched in false remorse, choked.

"This time I thought I would succeed in the critical operation of your son and sent all the doctors away. B-But halfway through I panicked, and forgot the procedure, accidently cutting off your son’s windpipe, making him die!”

My world stopped, ears ringing with utter desolation, a fury that had no end reflecting in my bloodshot eyes.

My little baby was saved and they killed him deliberately? My face morphed in terror as hot tears dwindled down my eyes in heartbreak.

"What damned son are you talking about? Calm down Victoria, the very birth of those bastards was a mistake, this way atleast they were put to some good use before they died."

Silence followed the cold, heartless words that shattered my world. ‘putting to good use’? I staggered back, feeling dizzy as bile rose my throat. Holding back a painful scream, I clutched my mouth tightly, swallowing the sobs threatening to break free.

“I let Amelia deliver them because your body was fragile and you could not conceive previously but just a week ago you already gave birth to a son for me Victoria so what was the use of that boy?”

Alexander said coldly.

“B-but Alexander what about sister Amelia?” Victoria cried appearing pitiful.

“What about her! It was my fault that I treated a fucking substitute as real… the entire meaning of her existence is to make you happy Victoria so she must endure!“

BETRAYL

A strangled gasp escaped my lips, gut-wrenching sobs threatening to spill.

Endure my children’s death caused by his misunderstanding?

Never!

Even if I have to sell my soul to the devil I will avenge my children!

Alexander and Victoria, I will never forgive you!

Never!

Crying bitterly I took a bloody oath in my heart.

“When she wakes up I will just pretend that her son was saved and let her raise the baby you gave birth to.

Our son will soon inherit of the Salvatore Business so cheer up Victoria, afterall you are the only woman in my heart. There is no comparison between you and the plain Amelia.”

My heart chilled as I heard those words from the mouth of the man for whom I gave up everything.

Dropping out of an Ivy league college, I gave up my successful career as a model for this man in a heartbeat and became a mere housewife, a woman who was at his beck and call.

For Alexander Salvatore, the man I had loved beyond reason, my only purpose was being a substitute wife.

And my children, my precious, innocent children…they have been nothing more than a stepping stone for his benefit for he never once trusted me.

The doctor was astonished by Alexander’s cruelty and interrupted. ”Mr Salvatore, what if your wife finds out that the baby is not hers!?"

"Don’t worry… don’t all the new-borns look just the same?” Alexander said with determination. “You are underestimating Amelia’s devotion to me. She will believe anything I say with closed eyes but this time I will teach her a lesson she will never forget in her life!"

"Just make sure that even after Amelia is treated, the burn scars on her body don’t disappear completely, her face earlier resembled Victoria a lot, I don’t want Victoria to feel inferior."

The doctor was stunned and exclaimed urgently, "Mr Salvatore, that child was yours!"

"Really? How much money did my 'precious wife' gave you to splutter lies?" Alexander gritted his teeth no believing a word that the doctor said.

"I am not lying sir! You gave your child up for such a gruesome death and even after so much you still wish to make Miss Amelia ugly and unable to look herself in the mirror?"

My heart felt numb as I heard Alexander’s next words.

“What is the use of such beauty when all she is going to do is to stay at home and use it to seduce otther men!” Alexander said thundering before continuing.

”Didn't Amelia said that she will love me wholeheartedly? Then I guess she was beautiful for me to see, so when I want she will become ugly for my sake as well!"

The truth of being loved by the most desired billionaire in the country, the picture perfect life of a loving couple was shattered completely as years of my love turned cold.

"Doctor have you given Amelia the sterilization injection yet?" The words made me smile miserably in contempt as I heard those words, bile rising my throat.

"Sir, but what about the side effects?! This medicine is too dangerous, not only your wife can lose her ability to bear children but if anything goes wrong she will be paralyzed for all her life and even go completely blind!"

The doctor tried to talk Alexander to give up the idea.

“She is soon going to wake up so I cannot take any risks of her finding out that she was operated upon for sterility, It is only best for Amelia to stop giving birth to a litter of those bastards!

She does not deserves to be a mother at all! So she better not get pregnant!”

Thinking for a moment about the risks involved Alexander hesitated before replying firmly.

"Either way she already has to raise my child with Victoria so she must not be distracted by other things.”

Clutching my heart in agony I fell on my knees near the bed making Alexander sharply turn towards the ward hearing the commotion.

“Amelia, are you already awake?” Alexander walked inside with an expression of genuine concern, making me feel cold and numb,

Victoria was nowhere to be seen making me realise that he had sent her away. I forced myself to stand, tightly gripping the hospital gown.

“Where is my son? Alexander’s expression froze for a moment before he tried to pick me up in his arms like I was a fragile glass still pretending that he was a kind husband.

“I asked where is my child?” Taken aback by my cold demeanour Alexander's eyes flashed with anger.

“Don’t worry, our son is alright and is at home in mom’s care.” His cold and calculative gaze fell upon me and it was almost affectionate as to how he gently arranged the pillow beside my headboard trying to make me comfortable.

“It has already been a week since you are asleep Amelia.

You should get discharged soon, it is high time you start taking care of our baby…you don’t want to disappoint mom, do you?”

I stayed silent without a word.

That very night I was abruptly discharged from the hospital while I had still not completely recovered.

Entering the grand Salvatore mansion that was fully recovered as if nothing occurred at all I heard my mother-in-law laughing with my sister.

"Victoria darling, since childhood you have been beside Alexander. If it was upto me I would have only accepted you as my daughter-in-law!”

“Auntie…Amelia is my sister…how can I even think of occupying her place.” Victoria said sadly making my mother-in-law’s anger flare up.

“Look at you being so sensible and obedient when you have suffered so much, how can that seductress be your sister in any way?!

That good for nothing Amelia is an evil witch who has brought bad luck since the moment she stepped into this household! I should have never agreed to such a marriage!"

My mother-in-law said loudly, ensuring all the maids and servants in the room could hear her words loud and clear.

“Amelia don’t mind her words, mom is very angry this time, it’s better to be obedient and try to appease her anger.” Alexander pressed close, warning me in a low voice ignoring his mother’s insults pressing my hand as if to stop me from doing anything foolish.

"Victoria darling” My mother in law smiled “Since today I will be your godmother, and to commemorate our bond, go on and give Alexander’s son a name."

I felt numb as Victoria took the baby in her hold and gently played with him.

“How is Austin?”

Something inside me snapped.

“Looking at you being so intimate with my child, if I didn’t knew better I would have thought that you gave birth to him and replaced my son.” Alexander’s head snapped to me in fury as I stepped forward.

Austin was the name I had chosen.

When I had dreamed of holding my child, I had thought of the name Austin for a boy… Daisy if it had been a girl.

Even this. Even my dead son’s name was stolen.

It was as if he had never existed at all.

“Don’t throw a tantrum…It’s just a name Amelia. You have been the madam of this mansion for so many years but you have still so much to learn. To think you are jealous of Victoria at this petty thing!” Alexander’s voice boomed as he glared at me disapproving of my behaviour.

Before I could take another step forward, my mother-in-law’s gaze snapped to me. Her expression twisted into fury.

"You demon!" she shrieked, rising to her feet and rushing towards me enraged.

The room fell silent and just as her palm was about to strike my face, it froze mid-air.

Her eyes locked onto my arms, covered in bandages and bruises from the fire in horror.

"Filthy!" She recoiled, covering her nose in absolute disgust as if I carried a contagious disease.

"How come you are still not dead! You dare endanger your own child in fire?!" Her voice dripped with venom. "If it weren’t for Victoria, Austin wouldn’t be alive today! She operated on him and saved him in time and now that he is alright, you want to attack Victoria, this innocent girl?!

Somebody make this evil woman kneel right now!"

“Auntie, sister has her grievances from me, even if she slaps me I will not resist...”

“Really? Then how about you come here so that I can slap you hard.” I shouted in rage feeling absolutely furious making Victoria's smile fall.

“Amelia!” Alexander’s cold voice boomed throughout the mansion as he reprimanded me harshly.

“God damnit! what the fuck are you even doing?! Haven’t you already committed so many mistakes and now you are even bullying Victoria?!” I turned to Alexander, my misty eyes full of indignation but he glared at me sharply.

“Don’t forget that you time and time again failed terribly as a mother.” The words were like acid cascading and corroding my soul.

“I? I committed a crime?” My voice trembled as I could not believe how Alexander could say such words without guilt gnawing at his insides,

“Do you..do you even have a damn conscience?!” Tears dribbled down my eyes as I looked at Alexander in rage.

“Shutup! You are just being jealous and creating trouble, as always!”

My husband strode towards Victoria, his expression dark as he stood infront of her crying figure protectively.

“I am being jealous when this woman has tried to snatch everything I ever had?! If I didn’t knew better I would have thought you were her husband and not mine!”

“Amelia! Haven’t I told you Victoria is my most precious friend! It is only you with a filthy mind who can find dirt everywhere!

No wonder you parents hated you!”

Silence covered the surroundings as Alexander did not even hesitate a single moment and clawed at my most vulnerable wounds.

“This unlucky woman!” My mother-in-law interrupted loudly in rage, her gaze filled with disdain. “Apologize to Victoria now.”

“I would not do it.” I spat in tears, my throat burning as all the servants and maids watched me with utter disgust.

My heart twisted in devastation, yet due to years of fear and submission accumulated in my body, my body wanted to automatically obey them like a machine.

“Kneel! Now! Or I will make others drag you down!”

When I still refused to cooperate two maids pushed me down with force, with trembling knees, I lowered myself to the cold marble floor feeling so much humiliation that death felt better.

Victoria smirked behind Alexander looking at me with her head high.

“Sister Amelia, we are twins, anything between us can be solved with an apology, please don’t take this as if I am being prideful…I-I will stay away from Austin from now on so that you can feel comfortable.. .” she cried, her voice sickeningly sweet.

“No need! See how sad you made this sweet girl!

Apologise right now or there will be no food for you!” My mother-in-law snapped in rage making it seem like I was the villainess.

“No!” I spat, my nails digging into my palms as hot tears continuously fell from my eyes.

“It’s okay sister we don’t need any formalities between us. Just don’t do it again.” Victoria said,

Dinner that evening was silent, except for the occasional clinking of glasswares. Sitting in the very corner with my head bowed, I barely ate with the constant pain making me wish I could disappear, each bite felt like I was swallowing stones.

“Ahh!” At that moment a sudden burning sensation shot through my arm making me gasp in horror.

“Oh dear Amelia, are you alright?” Victoria called in fake concern “I-I can’t believe I am so clumsy.” Her voice dripped with remorse as she glanced at the boiling pot of soup overturned on my arm, right where my burned skin was still healing.

“Amelia, are you alright?” Alexander stood up quickly in concern.

As I tried to hurriedly get up, Victoria’s leg shot out from beneath the table making me fall on the ground with a thud.

I bit my lip hard, swallowing back a cry of pain.

Alexander came rushing but before he could touch me, Victoria let out a small cry of pain.

“Alexander!… it hurts…it hurts so much!” She clutched her stomach artificially, doubling in terrible pain.

“Victoria!” Alexander’s expression changed instantly as he was by her side in a moment, forgetting all about me in panic.

He did not look at me, didn’t even spare me a glance.

“I don’t know…it feels like I am dying…” Victoria cried with tears brimming in her eyes, she looked at me from her position and a small smirk played on her lips.

“No, don’t say such things! Hurry up and call the best doctors in the city immediately!”

Without a single hesitation, he picked her up into his arms bridal style, cradling her like she was the most fragile thing in the world, too busy to notice my agonizing condition.

For three long years I never saw the truth and foolishly thought that Alexander was my saviour, that even if the world is against me he will be my rock, my anchor.

But all my stupid dreams were shattered.

I watched the scene unfold, cradling my wounded arm which was long forgotten as I stood up with pain blossoming in each pore of my body.

“Don’t worry! I am with you!”Alexander did not even turn to glance at me as he quickly carried Victoria upstairs, his voice filled with concern.

The door shut behind them, leaving me alone amidst of disdainful gazes in the dining hall, my skin still burning, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my heart.

I had never been loved.

My husband who once promised to love and cherish me was the one to trample on my heart with such cruelty.

The marriage I thought was my salvation turned to be my hell.

I had enough.

Not anymore.