Vanessa's POV
"You think you can just throw a tantrum and walk out like that?” Scott’s eyes were burning.
I stared back, not backing down. “Tantrum? Seriously? You let them tear me apart tonight. You, Scott. Not me. You’re the one who flipped out like I was doing something shady!”
He frowned like I was being dramatic. “You embarrassed Clarissa. Valerie’s crying her eyes out because of you. You hurt her!”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Valerie? Wow. So now you’re her knight in shining armor? You know what, I’m done. Done trying to explain myself. Clearly, in your world, she’s the princess. I’m just the villain.”
He didn't answer. His face flushed with anger-or because he couldn't deny it.
"Stop your arguments! Well, let me give in, I am the most guilty person here. Scott, don't yell at your sister anymore." Valerie again seized the opportunity to attract everyone's sympathy. Her fake tears kept flowing to add to this drama.
"You are a ruiner of the atmosphere, Vanessa. You know, I never invited you. You should have noticed from the beginning!" Clarissa snapped in a shrill voice.
I shut my mouth. I didn't have to ask so many more questions now. Although Scott and Valerie still tried to stop me.
As I pushed through the group of guests that surrounded us, a waiter passed by, carrying a large tray of bowls of hot soup. Then everything happened so fast - Scott pulled my arm again, I, with all my strength, let go, my body wobbled, and my elbow accidentally nudged the tray.
The hot soup hit my skin. It felt like it was burning alive. I shrieked.
"ARGHH!"
I fell to my feet on the floor, grasping my scalding arms, tears escaping unpreventably. I was shaking, shivering, not just from pain, but from shame and disappointment.
"Valerie!" Clarissa suddenly ran in the other direction. "Valerie! Did you get hit?!"
I turned my head. Valerie sat sweetly on the floor with amazing drama, hugging her arm that only splashed a little. "She was on purpose. I'm scared. She really wants to hurt me! "
I'm the prime suspect again in Valerie and Scott's story. Now the angled stares are not just from one or two people, but all of them. I hear some cursing at me.
"Shameless woman!"
"She attacked her own brother's lover. Annoying!"
The whispers began to travel, like a blaze.
Scott just stood still. Looking at me, not moving or defending me, and asking about my situation. As if I were nothing to him anymore. He turned to his lover instead.
My eyes caught something that made my heart ache even more. The burn on my arm felt nothing compared to the bitterness in my chest. Scott and Valerie were dressed in matching clothes. They had everything ready.
They looked like a couple. At the same time, I was fighting for my safety instead.
I wanted to waste more time. Without saying anything, I got up even though it hurt. Every movement felt heavy, but I forced it. I walked past the disgusted look and cynical smile that accompanied me. I didn't want to be in the room for a single second.
***
I came home after getting treatment in the hospital, but when I got home, I met someone I didn't want.
Scott's mom.
"You're here," I said flatly. "Funny. I thought you were busy hugging Valerie after she got hurt at the party. Hasn't she called you yet?"
She sighed. "I just want to talk. Scott got carried away with emotion, you have to understand. Valerie suddenly came into his life after he moved on."
I laughed. "Emotions? He told me everything that quickly. But instead of asking about my situation, you were busy defending your son."
"Vanessa -"
"He was a disgrace. He let me be hurt. Ridiculed. And now, you're here to keep only his good image?"
Her face seemed to scowl. "You know, Valerie comes to me more often. She listens. Unlike you, who always fight back."
"Fight back?" I took one step forward, my voice shaking. "Because I didn't let myself be stepped on? Because I couldn't pretend to be an obedient daughter-in-law who turned a blind eye when treated like trash?"
She didn't answer. But the expression on her face was enough.
"I will never forgive him. Or you."
She looked at me once more before walking away, saying,
"Perhaps Valerie is more appropriate."
* *
The next day, I came to the lawyer's office. I no longer cried. I no longer hesitated. I had planned my departure to make Scott regret it.
I took the divorce papers to Scott's office, hoping to get things done quickly. But from the first step into the lobby, I knew it was impossible.
Everyone looked at me with a probing look.
"That's it."
"Still dare to come here."
"Even though it made a scene at the party."
I pretended not to hear. I stood by the receptionist and said quietly, "I want to see Scott."
"Sorry, Mr. Scott is receiving a guest. You can wait until Mr. Scott is done."
I nodded and walked towards the office garden. But before I arrived, the bustling sound from the lobby made me pause and turn my head.
Valerie walked in with an elegant smile. All the staff greeted her as if she were the queen.
"Good morning, Valerie!"
"Wow, our new Manager!"
Manager?
I almost laughed. A trusted staff member walked up to me and whispered, "Scott just appointed Valerie as manager. He said, Let 's work together more often. It's been a long time since we saw her come to the office and have lunch together. Valerie said they were getting married soon."
The pain came again, the fact stifling my chest. Valerie captured the hearts of everyone behind me. I looked down, clenched the divorce papers in my hand, and walked towards the garden, avoiding the euphoria of all of them.
While I was sitting, contemplating. Valerie appeared near me. And this time, her face was no longer full of pretense.
"Vanessa," he said lightly. "You came. Still expecting Scott to come back to you?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm tired of pretending. I knew you were his wife from the start," she said with a smile. She whispered, "But I also know, Scott no longer cares about your relationship because I told him to."
"Asked him to?"
She stepped back, crossing her arms over her chest. "I didn’t steal your husband. I simply took back what was mine to begin with."
She sat beside me, acting as if we were close, and leaned in with a smug smile. "You’d better recognize your place and give up now. If you keep clinging to Scott, I’ll make sure plenty of humiliating things happen to you. No one even knows you’re his wife. To them, you’re just the unwanted sister.”
