Her head tilted slightly, her gaze sharp and calculating, as if she were trying to read every line of my expression and piece together some secret.
“I’ve been meaning to say this since we first met,” she drawled, her voice laced with mockery, “don’t you think we look remarkably alike, little sister?”
Shock slammed into me, my breath catching in my throat. My eyes instinctively darted to the mirrored wall nearby, and I couldn’t stop myself from making the comparison. At first glance, it was impossible to deny—the same dark hair, the same striking eyes, even the subtle angle of her jaw mirrored my own.
Humiliation churned with anger deep inside me. I had always known I was merely a substitute in Caleb’s life, a shadow to someone else’s love. But realizing that I had been groomed to resemble Marina—the real woman who had captured his heart—shattered something deep within me, leaving an ache I couldn’t name.
Under her triumphant stare, my composure fractured. I felt my carefully constructed walls crumble, and a bitter, restless energy surged within me. I could no longer bear her presence. With a tight swallow, I turned sharply and fled.
Back in the private dining room, the warmth of my colleagues slowly melted the icy tension in my veins. Their laughter, their casual chatter, their genuine smiles—they almost managed to distract me from the sting of Marina’s words. I let myself breathe, allowing the moment to soothe me, however briefly.
Then, without warning, the door slammed open with a force that rattled the room.
Caleb stood there, eyes scanning every corner until they locked onto mine. For a heartbeat, he froze—his expression a storm contained by sheer willpower. Then, without a word, he clenched his fists and barked my name, commanding me to follow him into the corridor.
Confused and hesitant, I obeyed. The dimly lit hallway felt colder, tighter, and before I could even process what was happening, a sharp sting landed across my cheek.
It was the first time he had ever hit me.
Disbelief and hurt coursed through me as I stared at him, searching for a flicker of regret. There was none. Only raw, unfiltered anger.
“Why did you confront Marina?” he growled, his voice low but tense. “You knew she had hurt her ankle! I told you I’d explain everything when we got back, but you couldn’t wait, could you?”
His words cut nearly as deeply as the slap itself.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Marina limping toward us, deliberately slow, her blouse rumpled and stained as if to heighten her own drama. My mouth opened to defend myself, but before I could speak, she suddenly stumbled, letting out a gasp that sounded far too practiced.
Caleb didn’t hesitate. He surged past me, lifting her into his arms with practiced care. His touch, so tender when directed at her, made my chest ache. His voice softened as he addressed her.
“I told you I’d bring you over to apologize. Why did you leave the room?”
Marina shook her head, tears welling in her eyes, though her tone carried a calculated softness. “It’s nothing. She didn’t mean to hurt me. Don’t be too harsh,” she murmured, feigning vulnerability.
Her gaze flicked toward me, then softened further. “If your fiancé sees this, it could complicate things. It might even jeopardize your relationship.”
The mention of my brother—the man who had arranged my marriage—made Caleb’s jaw tighten, but his resolve was quick to return.
“She’s under my care now,” he said firmly. “If she’s wrong, I have to correct it.”
A bitter laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “Wrong? Caleb, what exactly did I do wrong? In business or in life, evidence comes before judgment. And here you are, passing sentence on me without a shred of proof. Is this your idea of leadership?”
His jaw clenched, fists tightening. “There were no cameras in the hallway, Valencia. You knew it—and thought you could get away with it.”
I froze, stunned by his unyielding conviction. “No cameras?” I scoffed. “Then how can you possibly be certain it was me?”
“Why would Marina lie?” he snapped, his eyes flashing. “She isn’t that kind of person.”
“And I am?” My voice trembled, thick with the sting of betrayal.
Seven years. Seven years I had stood by him, through triumphs, crises, and private moments meant for no one else. And yet, in the presence of Marina’s tears, all those years vanished. One word from her outweighed everything we had built together.
Realizing there was no point in arguing further, I turned on my heel. “Believe whatever you want,” I muttered hollowly.
Caleb’s angry voice followed me down the corridor, commanding me to stay. But I didn’t look back. The sting of his slap still burned on my cheek—a cruel reminder of my position in his world.
Returning to the dining room was out of the question. I refused to ruin the evening for my colleagues, who had been nothing but kind to me. Instead, I walked to the front desk, settled the bill, and sent a quick message:
"Something urgent came up. Enjoy the meal and drinks—it’s on me."
With that, I left, each step heavy with the weight of the night pressing down on my shoulders, my heart a bitter mix of exhaustion and quiet fury.
