Chapter 2 Borrowed Love.

"We... we can't find your sister!" my stepmother choked out, her voice trembling. Her hands were shaking, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Today's her wedding to Derek Holland and….she ran off! With that rich Italian man!"

My father stood near the window, pale and stunned like someone had punched the air out of him.

He didn't speak right away. Just ran a hand down his face, then he looked at me, really looked at me for the first time in a long time.

I was standing by the doorway in my lilac bridesmaid dress, frozen.

His voice was low, almost like a whisper. "We can't afford to lose the Hollands." His gaze sharpened on me. "Vanessa... you'll have to step in and be the bride. Save us from this shame."

I felt my chest twist at that moment. Not with fear or confusion, but with a dangerous hope.

I knew Annie had been two-timing Derek Holland with some ridiculously wealthy Italian businessman. She always chased the thicker wallet.

I knew she planned to vanish and leave everyone hanging, including Derek, who loved her to the moon and back.

And she did escape on her wedding day. The guests were waiting, and the Holland family was present. Derek was standing at the altar, checking the time and waiting for his bride.

But.... she was gone.

And me?

God help me, I was so fucking happy.

Because I'd always had a secret buried deep inside of me.

I had a secret crush on Derek Holland.

He was my sister's boyfriend and Soon-to-be husband. Yet he treated me differently. When my stepmother tossed me around like I didn't exist, when my father barely noticed I was in the room, Derek saw me.

He called me "sister," but even that word held warmth I rarely got.

He smiled at me. He asked if I'd eaten. He once bought me a book because he remembered I liked reading.

I knew he loved Annie and was blinded by her. But I... I grew to love him.

And at that point, I had a chance.

"I'll do it," I said before anyone could ask again. "I'll get married to Derek."

It was the happiest day of my life.

I walked down the aisle. I stood where Annie should've stood. My heart galloped inside my chest. My hands trembled with something close to joy.

I was marrying the man who gave me butterflies just by existing.

But the dream didn't last because Derek hated it. Hated me.

He never hid it and he used it every day to remind me he would never see me as a lover. He never smiled at me. Never looked at me the way he used to.

He was cold and brutal. The marriage changed nothing in his heart towards me. Year after year, it was always the same.

Every day was a reminder that I was not her. That I was the replacement. The shadow and the mistake.

He didn't speak to me much. When he did, it was clipped with silent rage which he, most times, took out on me.

The worst part? Even in the most intimate moments, he didn't say my name.

It was always Annie.

Morning, Afternoon, Night. In anger, in pleasure, and sleep.

Annie.

Not me. Never me.

And still, I hoped. I prayed that one day, he'd turn and see me….Really see me and fall for me.

But that day never came.

And now... it never will.

Because Annie is back.

And my world? It just tilted again.

"I've missed you so much, Annie. Thank goodness you're back to me again. I'll never let you go. Ever." Derek's voice floated into my ears, making me stagger but I held onto the wall for support.

They didn't know I was there, listening to them talk. Making promises to themselves like they were a lifetime couple.

"God, no one fucks like you, Derek. I don't even want to remember another man."

My stomach sank. She wasn't fleeing this time.  She was staying—like, really staying.

"That's good. Because I was almost dying. The last four years in marriage with your sister have been the worst days of my life."

Worst days of his life??

As far as I know, I was the only one who was physically abused! Beaten and punched like a mannequin with no feelings or emotions!

I dropped my modeling career at my peak stage all because I wanted to be with him!

Annie was a star in the modeling industry now, outshining me who was once the queen in the modeling world.

But I didn't blink twice to leave everything behind and stick with Derek.

"Don't worry. I'm back now. Back to take everything that belongs to me and make a comeback."

Derek laughed. Not the fake one I've gotten used to—this time, it was a genuine laugh. One that he only shared with Annie. "Okay, come back queen. I'm all yours by the way."

Something inside me cracked open.....I couldn't linger anymore.

I turned away from the room without confronting them. My heart kept hammering against my chest as I hurried down the hallway.

I had to get out!

I had to run!

If I stayed, I'd scream and if I screamed, Derek would hear me. And if he heard me..... hell, I fear he would beat me again, adding more bruises to the existing ones on my body.

I stumbled down the staircase, gripping the railings like it was my lifeline. My throat burned and my vision blurred even more. I wanted to stop feeling this way but I didn't know how to.

Just when I reached the last few steps...

"Vanessa."

I froze. It was my father's voice—Charlie Thomas. Standing beside him was my stepmother, clutching her coat in one hand.

They were standing in the foyer, watching me intently.

"Have you seen Annie??" She sounded out of breath. "We've been looking everywhere for her. The driver said she came back to the house."

For a moment, I couldn't even speak. My throat closed up again and a single tear slipped down my cheek.

"She...." My voice cracked. "She's upstairs. In my bedroom...sleeping with my husband."

My stepmother's brows lifted in surprise but my father.....exhaled.

Relieved.

"Well. " He murmured, nodding slowly. "That settles it."

He looked at me with a calm smile "At least she came back where she belongs."

The floor swayed beneath me.

My stepmother's mouth twitched. "You didn't start getting comfortable.....did you? " She sounded amused. "Derek and Annie have always had something real. Stronger than this whatever... stand-in situation."

My father straightened his back. "The Hollands won't hold grudges. We'll present a united front at dinner. Make sure the kitchen is ready." He spoke to her, not looking at me again.

While I stood there, feeling gutted...they would be having guests.

I was already erased and replaced. Like I'd never existed before at all.

I turned, and my boots hit the marble floor as I ran. I ran out of the iron gate, into the main road with the cold evening breeze stinging my cheeks.

Everything burned in my chest….rage, anger, and betrayal.

I couldn't think but I knew I had to get away from there. If I stayed for one more second, I might lose it completely.