Chapter 4

For the sake of my studio's reputation and my own credibility, I had no choice but to ask the driver to turn back.

But as soon as I arrived home, I overheard Mom talking to Kaia.

"Kaia, you and Ivan got married before you left the country five years ago," she said. "Now that you're finally back, you should focus on building a life together. At least then I can finally give your father some peace of mind."

My phone slipped from my hand and fell to the floor with a sharp clatter. The screen shattered.

"No wonder," I thought. "So that's what this was."

All this time, this was the truth.

The front door opened, and the moment Mom, Kaia, and I locked eyes, everything became clear.

"Our wedding is still happening as planned," Ivan said, reaching for my hand.

I stepped away from him.

"So all along, you all knew I wasn't the other woman, yet you still let everyone believe I was," I ground out, staring at Mom—or perhaps I should call her Marie now.

"You always knew the truth about us. That's why you had no problem taking her side."

A single tear slipped down my cheek. "So you're her real family."

I pulled off my engagement ring and threw it into the trash.

"We're done, Ivan."

He stared at me. "What did you just say?"

I didn't answer. I simply grabbed my personal documents and strode off.

Ivan had bought the house for us after we got engaged. From the flooring and fixtures to the furniture and decor, I'd poured countless hours and every ounce of my energy into making it ours.

I'd treated it like the home we'd build our future in, pouring all my love into it. But in the end, none of that love had ever been returned.

Kaia hurried after me and tried to stop me, but she lost her balance and stumbled backward.

Ivan immediately rushed over to check on her.

"Olivia, I'm giving you one chance," he warned. "Apologize to Kaia and put the ring back on."

I didn't turn back and kept walking. Just as I walked out of the door, he finally caught up with me.

"Olivia, let's see how far you think you can go on your own!"

As I waited for the elevator, Professor Sandler called.

"Olivia, a group of people just showed up at your studio. They're carrying everything out," he said anxiously. "They've already thrown out most of your portfolio. You need to get here as soon as you can.

"Oh, careful! Those are years of hard work. Please, be careful with them…"

My portfolio was my ticket to studying abroad with Professor Sandler. Without it, I couldn't apply.

I turned and ran for the stairs, but Ivan blocked my path. I looked at him, his expression as calm and unwavering as ever.

Once, that steadiness had been what gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams. Now, it was nothing more than a weapon he used to force me into submission.

"That studio is something we founded together in college!" I cried.

But Ivan didn't even flinch. "Then build another one."

"Everything in there represents years of my life!"

"Apologize to Kaia," he insisted. "And the wedding is still going to happen."

It was always the same. For the sake of getting what he wanted, he was willing to destroy everything that mattered to me—my reputation, my bracelet, even my life's work.

Nothing I had was worth anything to him.

"What makes you think a hundred failed weddings means I'll agree to a hundred and first?" I screamed. "And what makes you think I'm willing to forgive you for choosing her over me every single time?

"I'm an independent person, not some pet you can summon whenever you want and dismiss whenever you're done with me!"

As Ivan stared at me without a word, Professor Sandler's messages kept coming.

"Olivia, when are you getting here? If you don't come soon, I won't be able to protect your work."

"Let them go," I finally said, my eyes burning with tears.

"You apologize first," he demanded.

For the first time, I looked at him and wondered how I'd ever been so blind.

Dad had died when I was young, and from the moment I could remember, Mom had revolved her entire life around Kaia.

Kaia loved painting, so the house was always filled with brushes, canvases, and paint. I loved fashion design, but Mom always complained that I was wasting money.

So since childhood, I'd dreamed of having a studio of my own.

Ivan understood that dream and supported me. We founded the studio together in college, and I'd treated it like our child.

But now that its father no longer wanted it, I couldn't simply abandon it.

"I'm sorry," I said, turning around with my head lowered. "I was ignorant and spoke out of line. Please don't take it to heart."

Ivan sent a message, and only after Professor Sandler replied that everything was safe did I step into the elevator.

"Where are you going?"

I didn't answer, but he kept going as though he hadn't heard me.

"I'll have everything ready for the wedding day."

"There's no need," I snapped.

His expression hardened. But the moment he opened his mouth to say something, Kaia called out from behind him.

"Ivan…"

He immediately turned around. "What is it?"

The elevator doors closed before I could hear anything else, but I caught his final words.

"Suit yourself."

I took a cab to the studio. After salvaging whatever work that hadn't been destroyed, I boarded a flight to Valenne with Professor Sandler.

This time, I wasn't going to sacrifice myself for anyone else.