Part 1

“I can’t marry you, Ivy.”

Five words were enough to shatter my heart and every hope I had in a single second. I thought he truly loved me. Until I saw the engagement ring we had chosen together resting on Viona Serrano’s finger, my stepsister’s.

“I’m sorry, Ivy. I have to save my family from bankruptcy,” Jason said, trying to explain, while I lifted my chin, forcing back my tears.

So the relationship we built for years had only been a way for him to save his family. I was nothing more than a bridge that allowed him to get close to Viona before eventually discarding me.

When I learned that Jason Sinclair, my boyfriend, was going to marry Viona, I finally understood my place in this family: an illegitimate child, without status, a mistake better erased. How could I ever forget that?

I stared at Jason’s guilty expression. He had promised to marry me, to give me a legitimate status. A happy family. Children. A future together. Amazing how easily he had poisoned me with sweet words. And what did it amount to? Nothing but lies.

I clenched my dress tightly, trying to hold back the tears gathering in my eyes.

“A classic excuse,” I said quietly.

“Ivy, you know your position in the Serrano family—”

“I know,” I cut him off, my voice trembling. “Your family would never accept an illegitimate bastard like me.”

“I’m sorry, Ivy. This is beyond my control.” Jason reached for my hand, but I pulled away immediately. No apology could heal the damage he had done. The wound was already there.

I turned to leave, but Jason grabbed my arm. “I promise, once my family recovers financially, I’ll...”

“No.” I knew I was deciding too quickly, but none of Jason’s promises meant anything anymore. Trusting him again would only tear me apart. “No more promises, Jason.”

“I love you, Ivy. I swear!”

“What kind of love is that? In the end, all your love did was hurt me.” I steadied myself. “I should’ve known my place from the start. Someone like me was never meant for you.”

I walked back into the mansion. Inside, people looked at me like I was trash that needed to be thrown away.

Bram Serrano, my biological father, stepped forward. Dressed in an expensive suit, he approached me with cold, ruthless eyes, as if ready to strip me apart.

I couldn’t understand how my mother, Jessica Laurent, had ever fallen for a man like him. Why did they bring me into this world only to treat me like this?

He placed a hand on my shoulder, gripping it firmly. “Ivy, starting tonight, you are no longer part of this house.”

“You’re kicking me out?”

“No. I’m simply relocating you.”

What difference did that make?

I looked into his hazel eyes before glancing at Viona, who stood nearby with a wide, satisfied smile. She had clearly planned this. Since the day I arrived at this mansion, she treated me like her personal servant—yet acted like the perfect sister in front of our father.

Two-faced witch.

“We don’t want your presence ruining Jason and Viona’s relationship,” Bram explained. “Everyone knows about your past with Jason.”

So that was the reason. They were afraid I would ruin their relationship? Afraid I would steal him back and run away with him?

God, were they really that petty?

“So it’s not because I’m illegitimate?” I asked deliberately.

Bram tightened his jaw, rubbing his face before glancing at the family members watching nearby.

“That’s part of it too.”

My body went still.

Maybe I could have endured it if someone else had said it. But this… this was my own father. The man responsible for my existence. The man who made me an illegitimate child in the first place and now he was ashamed of me?

“Alright,” I said, my voice shaking as a tear slipped down my cheek.

“You’ll be moved somewhere else,” Bram continued calmly. “I’ll send money every month for your expenses.”

It sounded well prepared. As if this decision had been made long ago.

I let out a bitter laugh and stepped away from his touch. “Fine.”

I had no right to refuse. The decision was final.

As I walked past Viona, she suddenly stretched her leg out, making me stumble. She quickly crouched beside me, pretending to help.

“The floor must be slippery. Are you okay, Ivy?” she asked sweetly, though a sly smile curved her lips.

“Your acting is impressive,” I muttered, gripping her hand tightly as I stood.

She leaned closer and whispered, “You’re finished, Ivy. Who would ever want someone like you?”

I stepped back, resisting the urge to slap her. If I did, Father would probably punish me instead. Viona was his precious daughter. Even a scratch on her would become my fault.

That very night, two guards escorted me away from the city. Pine forests and mountains stretched endlessly outside the car window. No one spoke. Even the driver kept glancing at me through the mirror as if I were a criminal.

They were exiling me.

Like a dangerous monster that needed to be hidden somewhere remote. As if I had ever caused trouble—aside from occasionally messing up the kitchen while experimenting with baking recipes.

Surely that couldn’t be the reason.

The car stopped in front of an old house. The lights were off. Rather than livable, it looked haunted. The guards carried my suitcases inside and turned on the lights.

Just as I expected. Dust and cobwebs filled the place. I coughed while looking around. Without a word, they left.

Leaving me alone.

Completely alone in the middle of nowhere.

What was I supposed to mourn first? Being the Serrano family’s illegitimate daughter? Being betrayed by my own boyfriend? Or being abandoned by my father?

I crouched down, covering my face.

No. I shouldn’t cry. Don’t cry, Ivy. Stay strong. But I couldn’t.

I cried. Loudly. Helplessly, until my throat hurt.

So, this was the end of Ivy Serrano?

No. Ivy Laurent.

I refuse to use that name ever again. I will never return to that family. And one day, I’ll come back as the monster they feared, and make my father regret ever throwing me away.