Marrying my Enemy after my Husband Cheated on Me with my Sister

Five years had gone by since Victor and I began living under the same roof. Five long years of sharing meals, nights, and routinesyet my left hand remained bare, untouched by any ring. No wedding. No aisle. No vows spoken before witnesses. We liked to call what we had a marriage, but in truth, it was nothing more than an arrangement wrapped in comforting lies.

I kept telling myself to be patient. I told myself Victor needed time, that his business had to stand firmly on its own first. I believed that once everything was stable, he would finally honor the promise he madeto put a ring on my finger and give me a real wedding.

That was why I thought today would be different. Today marked five years since we started this life together. Surely that had to mean something.

I had just finished organizing documents in Victors office when something caught my eyea simple white box placed carefully inside his cabinet. I hesitated. I knew I shouldnt touch it. I had never been the type to snoop. But something tugged at me, an insistent pull that refused to be ignored. Before I could talk myself out of it, my hands were already lifting the lid.

My breath stalled.

Inside was the most breathtaking wedding gown I had ever seen. Lace, silk, delicate craftsmanshipeverything I had ever dreamed of wearing as I walked toward the man I loved. Right beside it sat a small velvet box. My fingers shook as I opened it.

A diamond ring lay inside, glittering softly.

Tears welled in my eyes as my chest tightened. I slid the ring onto my finger, staring at it in disbelief, as though it might vanish if I blinked. After all the waiting after all the excuses was this it? Was Victor finally planning to surprise me for our anniversary?

I stood before the mirror, pressing the ring against my heart, already picturing myself in the gown, imagining him waiting at the altar, promising forever.

Then the door opened.

Valeria? Victors voice snapped through the room.

I turned quickly, my smile uncertain. Victor, I I found this. Is this for us? Are you finally giving us the wedding you promised? Tomorrow on our anniversary?

His expression darkened instantly. His jaw tightened as his gaze locked onto the ring. Why are you wearing that? he demanded, striding toward me, anger flashing in his eyes.

My smile faltered. I thought

No, he cut in sharply. Thats not meant for you. None of this is. His voice dropped, cold and unforgiving. That gown and ring are a gift. Im attending my investors wedding tomorrow.

Everything tilted. I struggled to breathe. Then what about us? Our anniversary? You said you had something planned.

He waved it off like it meant nothing. Well deal with that later. Im busy. And dont touch that ring again. He pulled it off my finger roughly and shoved me out of the room.

The door slammed shut.

I stood there, numb, my chest aching. Five years. Five years of waiting, hoping, believing. And this was what I got.

Moments later, Victor walked past me, slipping on his coat. I wont be home tonight. Dont wait. His tone left no room for argument.

Then he was gone.

I sank onto the floor, letting out a hollow laugh. Happy anniversary to me.

I tried calling Adrian and Leo, hoping my brothers might at least remember the day. One declined. The other said he was busy. No explanations. No apologies.

So the next morning, I made a decision. If no one wanted to celebrate me, then I would do it myself.

I rented a wedding dressjust for one day. It was foolish, maybe even pathetic, but I wanted to see myself as a bride, even if only in a photograph. I headed to a small church, intending to light a candle and pray for a future that didnt hurt this much.

But fate had other plans.

As I approached the church, I saw familiar figures near the entrance. Adrian. Leo. And Victor.

Relief surged through meuntil I noticed the woman beside them.

Marcella.

My sister. The one who vanished five years ago after draining our family dry. The one whose actions destroyed our business and pushed our parents into sickness. The reason I ended up living with Victor in the first placeto save what little we had left.

And yet, there she was.

Wearing a wedding gown.

My wedding gown.

The same dress Victor claimed belonged to an investor.

I hid behind the gate, my heart pounding as their voices reached me.

Are you absolutely certain you want to marry me? Marcella asked softly, unease lacing her words. What if Valeria finds out? She wont forgive me.

Victor chuckled, low and mocking. She wont find out. We were never married anywayjust cohabiting. And she wont be an issue for long. His tone turned intimate. You know it was always you. She was just useful while you were gone.

Marcella sighed. I didnt mean to leave like that. I was scared youd all hate me after what happened. But I came back.

My legs trembled. They were smiling. Laughing. Livingwithout me.

Brothers, Marcella said sweetly, turning to Adrian and Leo, thank you for welcoming me back. You love me more than Valeria, dont you?

Adrian answered calmly, without hesitation. Always you. Valeria only had everything handed to her by Dad. I never understood why she was favored. We just played along for his sake. Thats over now.

Leo nodded. You suffered enough because of her. This time, well protect you. She deserves whats coming.

Victor lifted Marcellas hand and kissed it. I wont let her hurt you again. If she tries Ill deal with her myself. Youre my wife now. Shes nothing.

My vision blurred. Their laughter echoed as they walked away together.

My sister. My partner. My brothers.

All of themchoosing each other over me.

I stumbled backward, tears streaming down my face. The gown clung to me like a weight, crushing my chest. I turned and ran, sobbing blindly down the road.

Bright headlights filled my vision.

A horn screamed.

Tires screeched.

And then

Everything went dark.

The first thing that reached me was the sound.

A steady, rhythmic beeping. Too slow to be comforting. Too constant to ignore.

My eyelids fluttered open against a wash of blinding white light. My mouth felt dry, my throat burning, and my body was so heavy it was as if my strength had been siphoned out bone by bone. I couldnt move. I could barely breathe.

Voices filtered through the haze.

there was no alternative, a man said calmlymeasured, detached, the way doctors always sounded. The woman survived. The fetus did not.

My chest seized.

Fetus?

Woman?

A baby?

What did you say? Victors voice exploded nearby, loud enough to make my heart jolt painfully. For one fragile, foolish second, warmth bloomed in my chest. Was he upset because I was hurt? Was he scared for me?

Then he spoke again.

You shouldve let her die instead! His words came sharp, furious. What good is she without the child? I needed that baby! Not her! Why didnt you ask me who mattered more?

Everything inside me froze.

Did he really just say that?

The doctors tone hardened. Mr. Victor, it was medically impossible to save both patients. The mothers survival was the only feasible outcome. The pregnancy was only at six months. The fetus could not have lived outside the womb.

There was the rustle of paperwork, followed by a weary sigh. Its also likely she had no idea she was pregnant. Given her conditiona retroverted uterus combined with polycystic ovary syndromesuccessful pregnancies are uncommon. Irregular cycles are typical with PCOS. Symptoms are often mistaken for other issues. Minimal weight gain, delayed physical changes it wouldnt have been obvious.

Six months.

I had carried a child inside me for half a yearunknowing, unawareand now that life was gone.

And Victor Victor wished I had died with it.

Another presence entered the room. I recognized Adrian immediately.

So she lived, he said flatly. And the baby didnt. Typical.

Leo scoffed under his breath. She messes everything up. If she werent so careless, none of this wouldve happened. And honestlywhy was she even wandering around in a wedding dress?

Their voices pressed down on me, suffocating. I wanted to scream. To open my eyes. To tell them to stop.

But my body betrayed me.

Darkness dragged me under again.

Maybe it wasnt real. Maybe it was just a nightmare stitched together by pain and trauma.

I woke again later, the room eerily quiet. A nurse stood beside me, adjusting the drip attached to my arm.

Oh, she said gently when she noticed my eyes open. Youre awake.

My lips barely moved. What happened?

You were in a vehicular accident, she explained softly. A truck hit you. Youve been unconscious for two days. She hesitated, then lowered her voice. Im very sorry. You lost the pregnancy.

Tears slipped down the sides of my face before I could stop them.

A baby.

My baby.

Gone.

My hand trembled as it moved to my stomach. It felt empty. Hollow. Like something vital had been carved out of me.

My husband I whispered, clinging to the thinnest shred of hope. Has Victor been here?

The nurse didnt answer right away.

Then she shook her head slowly. No. No one has visited since you were admitted.

That silence hurt more than the crash ever could.

When she left, my gaze drifted to the small table beside the bed. My phone lay there, dark and untouched. My fingers shook as I reached for it, hope fluttering weakly in my chest.

Nothing.

No missed calls.

No messages.

Not from Victor.

Not from Adrian.

Not from Leo.

Swallowing hard, I dialed Victors number myself.

It rang. Then connected.

At first, there was only faint noise. Movement. Breathing.

Then

A womans voice. Soft. Breathless.

Victor dont stop

My heart slammed painfully against my ribs.

Then laughter followed. Familiar. Cruel.

Marcella.

I ended the call with trembling fingers, my chest heaving as tears spilled freely onto the sheets.

Seconds later, my phone vibrated again.

A message.

I opened itand nausea rose instantly.

Photos filled the screen.

Victor holding Marcellas hand. Victor kissing her. Victor smiling at her like he never once smiled at me. One photo showed him sliding a ring onto her finger as champagne glasses clinked in celebration.

Below it was a message, sharp and deliberate.

Sorry, sis. Were on our honeymoon. Dont worryIll take good care of Victor. Im back for good.

The cruelty was unmistakable. As if she were right there beside my bed, whispering it into my ear.

My phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor with a dull sound. I covered my face and cried until my chest ached, until no sound came out anymore.

This wasnt just betrayal.

It was annihilation.

My husband.

My brothers.

My sister.

All standing on the same sideagainst me.

I lay there for hours, staring blankly at the ceiling, feeling stripped of everything. But somewhere between the grief and the emptiness, something hardened.

Resolve.

If Victor believed he could throw me away like I never mattered if Marcella thought she could return and steal what little was left of my life

They were wrong.

I wouldnt beg anymore.

I picked up my phone again and scrolled through my contacts. My thumb stopped over a name I hadnt allowed myself to think about in years.

Dominic.

The man who once loved me honestly.

The man I rejected for empty promises and false devotion.

The man I should have chosen.

My breath shook as I pressed call.

One ring.

Two.

Hello? His voice came through, steady and warm, laced with surprise.

My throat tightened. Dominic its Valeria.

Silence followed. Then a sharp inhale. Valeria? After all this time why are you calling now?

I closed my eyes, letting the last of my pride fall away. Tell me something, I said quietly. If I asked you today would you still want to marry me?

When Dominic finally answered, his tone was relaxedalmost amused, as though hed been expecting my call all along.

Well, this is unexpected, he said lightly. Last time we talked, you said marrying me would be worse than death. What happened?

A sharp, humorless laugh escaped my lips. Victor already made it clear hed rather see me dead, I replied. So tell me, Dominicdoesnt that automatically put you ahead of him?

There was a pause on the line, just long enough for my chest to tighten. Then he laughed, low and edged with something dark. So now Im the backup plan? The consolation prize because your perfect man turned out to be trash?

My fingers curled around the phone. If youre not interested, then forget this conversation ever happened, I snapped. Ill deal with my life on my own.

Valeria, he said quietly, the teasing gone, replaced by a tired exhale. I never said I didnt want you. I always have. But if were going to do this, theres something you need to agree to.

My heart skipped. What is it?

You dont get to leave me again, Dominic said, his voice steady and unyielding. No matter what happens. No matter who interferes. If you choose me, you stay. I wont chase you a second time.

Something heavy settled in my chestpart fear, part strange comfort. My lips trembled, but I answered anyway. Then start preparing for the wedding.

He let out a sharp breath. Just like that?

Not quite, I replied, forcing calm into my voice. Theres one more thing I need. I want them to feel what its like to lose me. Every single one of them. Can you make it look like I diedin five days?

The silence stretched, then broke with a quiet, dangerous laugh. Leave it to me.

My hand slipped, the phone nearly falling as my body shook. I never imagined my life would spiral into thisbut anything was better than staying with people who had been betraying me for years without remorse.

The hours passed slowly after that. I waited. For a call. A message. Any sign that someone noticed I was gone. That someone cared.

No one did.

Not Victor.

Not Adrian.

Not Leo.

By nightfall, the emptiness was unbearable. Against medical advice, I forced myself out of the hospital and went back to the house I once called home.

The moment I stepped inside, my stomach twisted. The air was thick with alcohol and cigarette smoke. The remnants of a celebration were everywhereempty bottles, overturned glasses, confetti crushed into the floor. It looked like a place where joy had thrived without a single thought of me.

I climbed the stairs slowly, my bag dragging behind meuntil I saw her.

Marcella.

Her face drained of color when she spotted me. She staggered backward, clutching her chest in panic. Shes hereshes alive! Shes going to hurt me!

Her voice brought Adrian and Leo rushing out immediately.

And why would she do that? Adrian snapped, glaring straight at me.

Their eyes pinned me in placecold, accusing.

Where have you been? Leo demanded. You vanished for days. You missed the party welcoming Marcella back. Do you know how disrespectful that is?

My chest tightened. A welcome party? I whispered. For her? After everything she did? You both said youd never forgive her. You said she destroyed this familysaid she was responsible for Fathers death!

The blow came before I could react.

Adrians palm struck my face, the sound echoing through the hall. Pain exploded across my cheek as tears sprang to my eyes.

Dont say that again! he growled. Marcella told us the truth. You were the one who introduced her to that man. You set her up. You let her take the fall so you could walk away clean.

My heart dropped. Thats a lie! I cried. Yes, I knew himbut only because Marcella begged me to introduce them. She liked him! She chased him! I warned her, Adrian. I told her it was dangerous. Everything that happened after that was her decision, not mine!

But his expression only hardened.

You really expect us to believe you? Leo snapped. After deceiving us for years?

I shook my head desperately. I never touched his money. I never worked with him. I stayed away. Youre blaming the wrong person!

Marcella lowered her head, her shoulders trembling as she played her part perfectly. Please stop fighting. This is why I stayed away for so long. I didnt want to tear the family apart.

Leo silenced me with a glare. Enough, Valeria. Were done listening to your excuses.

Marcella sniffed softly, whispering, I shouldnt have come back if it only causes pain. I just wanted us to be a family again.

Family? Victors voice cut through the tension as he descended the stairs. His arms crossed over his chest, his eyes emotionless. This isnt a fight. Were just fixing things. Valeria should apologizeand hand over her inheritance. It was never meant for her. Marcella deserves it.

I shook my head violently. No! Father gave it to me because he trusted me. He knew I was the only one who wouldnt destroy this family!

Leo struck me again, this time harder. Enough! You dont deserve anythingnot after everything youve done.

My body trembled, fury burning through me. Tears blurred my vision, but I refused to cry in front of them. Im ashamed of all of you, I said hoarsely. I dont have a family anymore.

I ran upstairs and slammed my bedroom door shut. My hands shook as I stuffed clothes into a bag, anger and heartbreak fueling every movement.

The door opened behind me.

Victor.

He stepped closer, his voice suddenly gentle, arms wrapping around me like nothing had happened. Im sorry. Just calm down, okay? Lets talk. I only wanted to

I shoved him away with all the strength I had left. My fingers closed around the cheap plastic ring on my handthe five-dollar promise he once called forever. With a hollow laugh, I tore it off and threw it at his chest.

Stay away from me, I said coldly. Keep your lies. I dont need them anymore.

Victor closed the door behind him, his expression painted with guilt, yet those familiar, cutting eyes never softened.

Valeria, he murmured, rubbing his temples as if I were the source of his pain. I only said those things because Marcellas been struggling. She needed support. Maybe you could try to see it from her side.

I let out a bitter laugh, broken and hollow. See it from her side? After everything shes done, after everything Ive lost, you expect me to sympathize with her?

He stepped closer, lowering his voice into a faux gentleness. About the inheritance dont you think you should just hand it to her? The papers will be signed soon, and honestly, Valeria, youve never been good with business. At least she might make something of it.

A dull ache spread through me. Not surprisejust the sting of old wounds ripped open again.

I had grown accustomed to thishis words, his manipulation, the way he always turned the story so I looked unreasonable. I remembered the nights he swore hed whisk me away for our anniversary, the days he promised to introduce me proudly as his wife, the whispered promises of next time that never came. I had believed him. I thought it was loyalty. I thought it was love. But now I realized it had been nothing but blindness.

Victor dug into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. I was planning our wedding in five days, he said softly, almost pleading. It was meant to be a surprise, but maybe knowing will calm you. The ring is real this time, Valerianot fake. Well make this official. Merge the families. Please.

His words hung in the air, insubstantial, like smoke slipping through my fingers. A part of meweak, foolish, still achingremembered the man I once thought loved me. But it was an illusion. He never wanted me. He wanted my inheritance. My fathers favor.

Even my brothersAdrian and LeoI had believed they loved me. Protected me. Cherished me. But now I could see clearly: they smiled because Father had favored me, because I held everything in my hands. It was envy, disguised as familial loyalty.

And Marcella I had trusted her, shared secrets, defended her, covered for her when Father was angry. I thought sisters were meant to protect each other. But maybe she stayed close because I was useful. Because I shielded her. Because she could laugh in Victors arms when I wasnt looking. How long had it been happening? How many busy nights were really spent with her?

I had believed he was building a future with me. I cooked meals that went cold, celebrated birthdays alone, lit candles on anniversaries by myself, thinking he was just working hard. But he wasnt busyhe was lying. Cheating. Building a life without me.

He added softly, almost pleading, Marcella is unwell. She needs us. We need her back in the family.

I shook my head, tears stinging. Unwell? You blamed me for everything I never did. I didnt scam anyone. I lost our baby, and you

Before I could finish, Marcellas scream shattered the air.

Help me! Victor!

He spun instantly, sprinting toward her cry, leaving me frozen. Always her. Never me.

I clenched my fists and swallowed the sob that rose in my throat. Fine. Let him run to her. Let them all. I didnt care anymore.

I returned to my room, wiped my face, and struck a match. A candle flickered, soft and trembling. I set it before me and whispered a prayer for the child I never knew, the one stolen before I could even hold it. My lips quivered.

My baby Im sorry. I shouldve protected you.

The flame blurred as fresh tears burned my eyes.

Then, heavy footsteps pounded the floor. The door burst open.

Adrian stormed in, his face dark, his hand gripping my wrist. Come with me.

I struggled. What are you doing?

You share her blood, he said flatly. She needs it. Youre going to give it.

No! I wont

Before I could finish, a fist struck me. Leos fist. My head snapped to the side, spinning. Pain shot through my skull. Before I could scream, darkness swallowed me whole.

When I came to, the world was a blur. Bright lights above stabbed at my eyes. My arms felt heavy, my veins screaming with every pulse.

I tilted my head weakly and realized tubes were attached to me. They were drawing my blood.

No My voice barely rose above a whisper.

Nearby, a doctors voice rang in alarm. We cant take any more! Shes already too weak from the accident. If we push further, she wont survive!

Drain it all! Victors voice thundered, cold and merciless. I dont care if she dies!

My lips trembled. He wanted this.

Adrians voice followed, harsh and bitter. Make her weak. Sick enough she cant resist. Enough so she suffers.

Leos low, cruel laugh added, Yes. Then we take everything.

The words cut deeper than the needles piercing my veins. My chest heaved. My vision darkened. I wanted to scream, to fight, to curse thembut my body betrayed me. I was weak, helpless, trapped.

Edges of light bled into black. The voices faded, distant and hollow.

And then nothing.

When my eyes opened again, the ceiling wavered above me, blurred and shifting. My body felt impossibly heavy, my limbs trembling so violently I could barely move. Even lifting a finger felt like a monumental effort, as if my bones might snap with the slightest motion. But I forced myself. I had no choice.

With every scrap of strength left, I stretched toward the nightstand. My hand shook uncontrollably, nearly dropping the phone, but I clutched it tightly enough to dial the one number that could change everything.

The line rang once. Twice. Then a calm, familiar voice answered. Ms. Valeria?

I swallowed, my throat raw, my voice almost a whisper. Transfer everything. Every asset. All the money in my name send it to Dominic.

A sharp intake of breath followed. Dominic? Are you certain? And your brothers? Victor? This is

Theyll manage, I rasped, forcing the words out through the burning ache in my chest. Father left them more than enough. But everything under memy inheritance, all of itgoes to Dominic. If I leave this world, Ill make sure they feel the loss too. Not just me. All of them. Thats the last gift I can give.

Valeria His hesitation was heavy, almost pleading. Once this is done, it cant be undone.

Do it, I said. My fingers loosened around the phone, and it slipped from my trembling hands, clattering to the floor. I couldnt bend to retrieve it even if I wanted to.

The door creaked open.

Whats going on? Adrians sharp, suspicious voice cut through the silence. He bent down and snatched the phone. Whos Dominic?

Leo followed behind him, his face twisted with rage. Are you calling another man while lying sick in bed? Cheating on Victor?

I tried to speak, to explain. Its not

But Victor appeared then, his shadow swallowing the room. His gaze locked on me, piercing and cold. Who is Dominic?

I shook my head weakly. Nothing. Just nothing.

Shes lying, Leo hissed.

Adrian smirked, indifferent. Doesnt matter. Shes fragile. Let her eat for nowwell get what we need later.

No I whispered, pushing against the weight pressing me down. I cant Im too weak

They didnt care.

Leo shoved a stack of papers toward me. Sign these. Hospital forms. Dont bother reading.

I blinked, vision hazy, but I could still make out the wordsthe inheritance transfer, the legal clauses my father always warned me to watch. They thought I was helpless.

Fine. I picked up the pen with trembling hands and signed. Because I knew alreadyDominic had everything. Whatever they tried to claim would be gone.

Victor leaned down, brushing his lips mockingly against my forehead. Good girl. Rest now. Once youre strong again, the wedding will happen.

A wedding? With him? I almost laughed. He could starve me, bleed me dry, try to break mebut he would never have me willingly.

The day passed in a blur of exhaustion until I managed to rise. I asked the nurse where Marcella was. She pointed toward the east wing.

I found her on her bed, eyes wide, innocence painted on her face. Valeria! You shouldnt be up. Are you okay? I never

Spare me, I croaked, my voice raw but sharp with anger. Im not here for your lies. I came to say goodbye.

Before she could respond, I lifted the glass of water in my hand and flung it at her.

Her scream rang out, hands clawing at her soaked hair. Youhow dare you!

I didnt hesitate. I slapped her across the face. The sharp crack echoed, and for the first time, I felt no remorse.

I turned and ran. Her screams followed me.

Adrian! Leo! Victor! Sheshe attacked me!

Footsteps thundered behind me. Victors voice shouted my name, but I didnt stop.

Punish her! Marcella shrieked. Stop her!

My legs wobbled, but adrenaline carried me. I burst through the front door into the street. A taxi slowed just in time, and I was about to climb in when a familiar, steady hand gripped mine.

I froze. Dominic?

He smiled, small but determined, eyes blazing. Ive got you. Lets go.

He opened the door, guiding me inside. My heart pounded as the city lights blurred behind us. We drove fast, away from the screaming house, away from Victor, my brothers, Marcella.

Hours later, the lights of a private airstrip appeared. A plane waited, engines humming.

Dominic squeezed my hand as he helped me onto the steps. From this moment, Valeria, no one will ever hurt you again.

I took a steady breath, pulling out my phone. I stared at the unanswered calls, the unread messages. Then, finally, I pulled the SIM card and tossed it into the night.

---

Victors POV

She slapped me! Marcella shrieked. She threw water at me! I told you shed do this one day!

I pinched the bridge of my nose, fighting the headache creeping behind my eyes. Everything was spiraling.

Adrian and Leo muttered angrily in the corner about Valerias defiance.

Enough, I snapped. Well handle this.

Shes weak before, Adrian said, we shouldve drained more blood when we had the chance.

Leo clenched his jaw. She cant have gone far. Well find her.

I turned to the butler, nervous by the doorway. Where is she? Did you see where she went?

Marcella buried her face in her hands. She hates me. Shell ruin everything, Victor! You have to stop her!

Then footsteps pounded the floor. The butler returned, ashen, sweat dripping from his brow.

Sir His voice trembled. I just received a call. From the highway patrol.

What? My stomach dropped.

He swallowed hard. Theres been an accident. Miss Valeria she shes dead. She jumped off the bridge

Victor' POV

He swallowed hard. Theres been an accident on the highway. His eyes darted to mine, fearful. Its Miss Valeria. They said she shes dead... after jumping off the bridge...

For a second, I thought I misheard him. My chest tightened, then loosened with a laugh that tore out of me.

Are you kidding me? I snapped, staring at the butlers pale face. That cant happen. Valeria? Jump off a bridge? No. Shes too stubborn for that. Shed scream, shed fightshe wouldnt end herself.

I stepped closer, my tone sharp, desperate to cut through the absurdity. Did she put you up to this? Is she trying to scare me? Another one of her little tantrums?

The butler only shook his head. No, sir. The police are confirming it now. Theyre searching the river for her body.

Silence pressed against the room, heavy and suffocating.

And yet, I couldnt bring myself to believe it. Valeria had pulled tricks before. I remembered one nightclear as daywhen wed fought so badly she stormed out of the house with nothing but a small bag. Shed screamed that she was done with me, done with all of us, that shed never return. Id laughed then, told myself shed cool down. And I was right.

Two days later, I saw her at the gate. She was pale, her eyes swollen from crying, but she was back. Always back. Because she had nowhere else to go. No one else to turn to. I was her only choice, and she knew it.

Thats why this couldnt be real. She couldnt be dead. She was dramatic, emotional, but in the end she always came back to me. Always.

Leo chuckled darkly beside him. Yeah. Dont get your hopes up. Ill bet she shows up in a week, crying about how we didnt care enough. She loves playing the victim.

Their laughter grated against my ears. I wanted to agree, to believe their mockery, but something inside me twisted. A knot I couldnt explain.

Marcella, however, clutched her chest and gasped softly. Her voice quivered like a stage actress. We should we should at least look for her. Please, Victor. Shes still your

Dont. I cut her off, raising a hand. Dont act like you care. You hated her as much as we did.

Her lips trembled, but behind her glassy eyes, I caught itthe flicker of satisfaction. Relief.

And it was true. I knew it. Marcellas hatred for Valeria had been simmering for years, even before she disappeared. She wore it behind her smiles, hid it beneath the fa?ade of being the sweet, fragile sister. But Id seen the way her eyes sharpened whenever Valeria walked into a room, the way her tone would shift with that edge of resentment whenever Valeria was praised by their father.

Marcella never forgave her for being the favored one. She envied the inheritance, the trust, the attention. Every whispered lie, every scheme she pulledit always circled back to one thing: her hatred of Valeria.

So no, she couldnt fool me now with trembling lips and crocodile tears. If Valeria was gone, Marcella was the last person whod grieve.

I exhaled and forced a smile, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. Shes nothing, Marcella. Not even my wife. Just a woman who overstayed her welcome. Let her be.

Marcella leaned into me, her fake tears dampening my shirt. Youre right its going to be okay. You have me now.

I kissed the top of her head. Exactly. And Im not losing you again. Forget her.

Adrian smirked. Good riddance.

Leo shrugged. Less mess for us.

And so the day dragged on. We sat together, drinking, talking about business, planning the next steps as if Valeria had been erased from existence. I told myself she would reappear, storming through the doors with accusations and tears. She always did.

But the hours passed. No sign. No call.

Until the phone in my hand buzzed again. A text message from an unknown number.

I opened it.

The body has been recovered.

The words glared at me. My vision blurred. My hand shook until the phone slipped and clattered onto the floor.

Marcella rushed to my side. Victor? What is it?

I bent down slowly, my chest hammering like a war drum. They found her. Her body. Shes dead.

The air felt heavy. Too heavy to breathe.

For the first time, no laughter came from Adrian or Leo. Their smiles faltered, the room going eerily quiet.

No Marcella whispered, covering her mouth. No, Victor, it cant be

But her eyes gleamed. She wasnt mourning. She was savoring.

I didnt wait. My legs moved before my mind caught up. I grabbed my coat and bolted through the doors, my footsteps pounding against the marble floor, echoing through the hall.

My car roared to life, and I drove like a man possessed, the world outside blurring into streaks of gray and red. My hands clenched the steering wheel so tight they went numb.

Shes not dead, I muttered to myself. She cant be. Valeria wouldnt do this. She cant leave me like this.

But the message the certainty of it gnawed at me.

When I arrived at the scene, flashing red and blue lights blinded me. The bridge loomed overhead, guarded by yellow tape. Officers stood near the edge, their voices low, grim.

I pushed past them, ignoring their protests. My eyes darted to the tarp laid on the ground near the riverbank.

The world tilted.

Even from a distance, I knew.

It was her.

Her lifeless form, covered by a thin white sheet, hair spilling out from beneath it.

My knees buckled. The ground rose up to meet me, and I fell, gasping for air that wouldnt come. My chest burned, my throat locked.

No The word cracked from my lips. No, no, no

Someone tried to hold me back, but I shoved them away, crawling closer to the sheet. My hands trembled as I reached out, but I couldnt bring myself to lift it.