3

Valeria

The high-society charity luncheon at the Grand Carlton was as dazzling as it was exhausting. Crystal chandeliers hung from the decorated ceiling, throwing sparkling light over silver ice buckets and arrangements of white roses.

I stood near the tall archway leading to the balcony, holding a glass of sparkling water I hadn't touched. I wore a simple cream silk dress, perfectly tailored, but I felt as invisible as glass.

"Look at her standing alone over there," a sharp, quiet voice whispered from the other side of the silk curtain behind me.

I froze.

"It really is tragic," another woman replied, her voice dripping with fake pity. "Four years, and she still looks like a lost puppy. She's just Serena’s replacement with a wedding ring."

"I heard Tobias barely stays in the same room with her," the first voice chimed in, followed by a soft giggle. "Honestly, my husband told me Tobias probably closes his eyes whenever he kisses her, just so he can pretend it's Serena."

The words hit me like physical punches to the stomach. The air trapped in my throat. I didn't wait to hear more. I turned around silently, keeping my spine straight, and walked out into the corridor before they could see the pale, humiliated look on my face.

I made it to my car in the parking garage, locking the doors before letting out a slow, painful breath.

I remembered the early days of our marriage. Four years ago, I was so full of hope. When Tobias proposed, his eyes were serious and dark. He wasn't romantic, but he was protective and gentle. I was naive enough to believe that love could grow over time. I genuinely believed that if I cared for him enough, if I built a warm home for him, he would eventually look at me and see Valeria.

Tobias was never cruel to me. He never raised his voice. He made sure I had everything I needed—money, cars, expensive clothes, a beautiful mansion. But he was never affectionate either. He never held my hand just to hold it. He never kissed me unless it was a polite goodbye in the morning. Our marriage had become polite, quiet, and painfully, terribly empty.

Instead of going straight home, I drove to a quiet cafe in the city to meet Maya, my best friend from before I met Tobias.

"You look terrible, Val," Maya said the moment I sat down across from her at the small corner table. Her bright eyes were full of worry as she reached across to squeeze my cold fingers. "Are you sleeping at all?"

"Not much," I admitted softly, looking down at the table. "I heard some women talking about me at the luncheon today. They said... they said Tobias probably closes his eyes when he touches me."

Maya gasped, her hands turning into fists. "Those horrible snobs! Val, why do you stay there? Why are you still fighting for a man who has never chosen you?"

"Because I love him," I whispered, the painful truth slipping out before I could stop it. "I know how foolish it sounds, Maya. I know how stupid I am. But I love him. I have loved him since the day I met him."

"He doesn't treat you like a wife, Val. He treats you like a ghost's replacement," Maya said gently, her tone softening with sorrow. "You deserve someone who sees you. Someone who worships the ground you walk on."

I didn't answer. A sudden wave of dizziness hit me, and my stomach turned upside down. I placed a hand over my abdomen, breathing heavily through my nose until the nausea passed.

"Hey, are you okay?" Maya asked, leaning forward.

"I'm fine," I murmured, rubbing my temples. "I've just been feeling so tired lately. And nauseous in the mornings."

Maya stared at me for a second, then a wide grin spread across her face. "Val... wait a minute. Are you pregnant?"

I forced a faint laugh and shook my head immediately. "No. Absolutely not. Tobias and I have been trying for years without any success. The doctors said my stress levels make it difficult. It's just my stomach acting up from stress."

"Well, you should take a test just in case," Maya insisted, though she didn't push further.

That evening, I was sitting on the edge of the bed in our quiet bedroom when Tobias walked in. He hung his suit jacket in the closet and unbuttoned his cuffs.

"We have an event next Saturday," he said casually, his back turned to me. "The Vale family is holding a memorial gala for Serena. Four years. We need to attend together."

I stared at his back, my chest tightening so fast I couldn't breathe for a moment. "A memorial gala?" I asked, my voice barely audible. "You want me to go to Serena's memorial?"

Tobias turned around, looking at me with a calm, neutral expression. "Yes. The press will be there. The Vale family invited us. Appearances matter, Valeria. If you don't go, people will start rumors about our marriage."

"Rumors?" I let out a dry, bitter laugh. "Tobias, people already talk about us every single day. Do you ever think about how humiliating this is for me? To stand in a room full of people who look at my face and compare me to your dead fiancée?"

Tobias's brows pulled together in annoyance. "You knew about Serena before we married, Valeria. I never lied to you about my past."

He was right. He had never lied. But he had never told me I would spent four years living in her shadow either.

I stood up from the bed, my heart pounding wildly against my ribs. I looked into his cold, dark eyes, tired of staying silent, tired of pretending the pain didn't exist.

"Let me ask you something, Tobias," I said, my voice trembling with raw emotion. "And I want you to answer me honestly."

Tobias frowned. "Valeria, I am tired—"

"If Serena walked through that door tomorrow," I interrupted softly, stepping closer to him, "would you still want me as your wife?"