I stared wide-eyed in shock. I hadn't expected that Rosette had secretly found her own relatives behind the Johnson family's back—and was even using Evren to her advantage.
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. The man who gave all his sincerity had been deceived all along.
When I quietly slipped away, I went straight home and arranged for two packed suitcases to be sent to my father's place in advance. Once the divorce certificate arrived in three days, I would finally be free of Evren—free from everything that tied me to him.
For three days, he didn't come home. Not a single call, not even a text.
Then, around four in the morning on the third day, my phone buzzed beside the bed. It was him.
[There's a Johnson family banquet today. Come with me. I'll wait for you at the old residence.]
For a long moment, I couldn't believe my eyes. After all this time—after dreaming for years of being acknowledged by the Johnson family—was it really happening now, just as I was about to leave?
Tears welled in my eyes. That small, stubborn part of me that still longed for hope made me put on a yellow evening gown and go to the Johnson estate.
The moment I arrived, Rosette blocked my way. Her gaze swept over me with open disdain.
"Analeia, I can't believe you're actually this shameless. One text message and you came running? You really thought you could step into the Johnson family's house?"
My brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"That message was from me," she sneered. "I didn't think you'd be stupid enough to fall for it."
She grabbed me roughly by the arm and dragged me down a deserted hallway, stopping in a quiet corner. A full glass of red wine splashed down my hair and dress, the liquid dripping cold against my skin.
"Stay here and watch," she said smugly. "Watch how I get my name written into the Johnson family registry."
I clenched my fists, turning to leave—but then I saw Evren walking onto the stage, supporting his father. He smiled as he looked at Rosette, his eyes filled with warmth I hadn't seen in years.
He invited her to join him on stage, publicly declaring her as the only woman he would ever recognize as his wife.
Then came the "fortune reading." Everyone held their breath as the tarot cards were revealed—three cards of misfortune. Evren's smile faltered; he frowned, clearly displeased.
Without hesitation, he drew three new cards from the deck and flipped them over—each one an omen of good fortune.
"Rosette is carrying my child," he said firmly. "Since she's the one I've chosen, luck or fate means nothing."
Applause erupted across the hall. None of them knew that I was already married to Evren. After all, I had never been invited to a single family banquet, never had a wedding.
Now I understood—Evren could break every family rule for the woman he loved. He just never loved me.
Covered in red wine stains, I slipped out through the back door, planning to leave quietly. But near the corridor, I overheard Evren speaking to his father.
"What about Analeia? She'll see the engagement news tomorrow. You haven't divorced her yet."
"Don't worry, Dad. I've been too busy with the banquet to go home. Once it's over, I'll talk to her. She loves me too much to resist anything I say. After I marry Rosette, I'll still keep Analeia outside. No one will ever find out."
"What about her father's investment?"
"I'll smooth things over—say a few nice words, buy some gifts. She won't dare tell him anything."
I stood frozen in the shadows, my whole body trembling. Tears streamed down my face, hot and endless.
When I finally stepped out of the Johnson estate, my father's car was already waiting.
Before leaving, I sent a final message to Evren.
[Congratulations on your engagement.]
Attached was a photo of our freshly issued divorce certificate.
As the car pulled away, I rolled down the window and looked one last time at the gates I had once dreamed of walking through. A small, bitter smile tugged at my lips.
I took off my wedding ring and tossed it out the window—along with my broken SIM card.
Just then, Evren came running out of the house, his face pale and frantic. For a second, our gaze met.
His eyes were filled with anger and confusion. "Analeia!"
