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Violet’s POV 

I glanced at the decorations for the millionth time, adjusting them again and again even as my hands grew tired. 

It still wasn’t enough. 

After all, Jason was finally coming home. 

The thought made warmth bloom in my chest all over again. Ever since the butler informed me, I hadn’t slept a wink. 

I redecorated the house a dozen times; everything had to be perfect—it was for my husband, after all. 

Three months and he was finally back. 

He had finally come back to me. 

“Madam!” One of the maids rushed over, her eyes dimmed. “Sir is here.”

Why wasn’t she happy? This was good news. 

I brushed past him and my eyes landed on Jason. 

Suddenly every moment was worth it as I reached forward to hug him. 

Jason stepped back and I’d barely recovered from the heartbreak of his rejection when a blonde slender figure emerged from behind him. 

I almost lost my footing, instinctively taking a step back as I recognized that face. 

Ivy Bennet. 

My sister… and my husband’s white moonlight. 

Suddenly, breathing felt like torture as she wrapped her arms around his, leaning against his shoulder. 

“Ivy’s back, Violet. She’ll be staying with us from now on.”

He said it like he was talking about the weather, and he sounded like a man who had already decided what it would look like. 

And it suddenly made sense. 

Jason Ashford hadn’t come back because he suddenly started loving me. 

Jason Ashford came back to welcome his first love into our home. 

Even after everything, he brought her back. 

The same woman who seven years ago had faked her death and vanished, leaving behind their newborn daughter to chase after a wealthier man. 

My parents coaxed me barely twenty-four hours later. After all, the wedding between the Bennet and Ashford families was a nationwide affair. 

If anyone found out the truth, it would wreak mayhem; swapping the brides was logical… Besides, I was already in love with Jason; it was best. 

That was what Mom said. 

She told me Jason would be loyal; I would live a comfortable life while protecting my family from shame and raising my niece.

And yet, as I stood in front of them, I felt so thoroughly humiliated.

“It’s been such a while; won’t you let me in sister?” Ivy didn’t wait; she pulled me into a hug. 

“First, I took back my parents, then my place, and now, I’m back, Violet.” She sneered. “I’ve come to take my husband.”

She pulled away, smiling innocently. “So, will you step aside?” 

My hands curled into fists at my sides, had she ever taken anything with permission? 

Everything belonged to her anyway. Today, it was clear that I was just a placeholder. 

We were switched at birth and I was raised as the precious daughter of the Bennet family, until Ivy returned. 

Their biological daughter. 

First she stole my room, then she stole my rights. 

“Jason, I’m feeling dizzy,” Ivy said, grabbing her head. “I’m so glad that I managed to escape from that deranged man.”

What? 

“This entire time, I’ve been thinking of you and Belle. I tried finding you but every time…” A sob escaped her lips as she leaned into my husband.

Jason pulled her close, rubbing her back. “It wasn’t your fault. He kidnapped you.”

Kidnapped? 

Ivy was never kidnapped. She cooked up a story and he just believed it? 

The thought made my stomach twist. 

“I don’t think I should stay here, Jason. Violet won’t be comfortable with me around. I should leave…”

I held back a scoff as he caught her wrist, stopping her from leaving. 

“This is my house,” Jason glared at me as he spoke. “I decide who stays and leaves. And if anyone’s leaving,” his gaze lingered. “It’s not you, Violet.”

It felt like something had struck my heart in that moment. 

Seven years. I had dedicated seven years to a marriage that was clearly doomed from the start? 

Even after taking so much, Ivy wanted my husband too

What next? 

My daughter?

No, no. 

I loved her to bits; she didn’t understand all this history. 

All she knew was that I was her mother. 

“Clara!” Jason barked, “Take Ivy’s things upstairs, set her in the largest room in the house, and prepare some chamomile tea for her. Make sure it’s warm and yes, change all the roses to lilies,”

Ivy gasped. “You still remember I love, lilies?” 

I froze. Forget about my preferences; I wasn’t even sure Jason remembered I was in the room. 

But he hadn’t forgotten a single thing about Ivy in the past seven years. 

Was he doing this because he wanted Belle to get her mother? Jason Ashford was smart; surely he didn’t fully believe Violet’s story. 

This… this could be for Belle’s sake. 

Maybe not all hope was lost… Maybe I could… 

Ivy hugged him again. “You’re so amazing, Jason. I should have fought against that man to come back sooner, but I had no choice… he threatened to hurt Belle and me…”

“Shh…” he pressed his finger against her lips. “It’s not your fault, you’re here now and this time, I won’t let you go.”

My chest tightened. 

She glanced at me, “But Belle…”

“Mommy?”

We all turned to see Belle standing by the stairs. She was rubbing her eyes with her small fists. “Is Daddy back?”

“Belle!” Ivy cried out, shoving me aside to rush toward her. 

I held back a wince as my back hit the dining table. 

Jason didn’t notice. 

He was too busy admiring Ivy as she approached Belle. 

On the other hand, my heart was racing. 

My worst fear was coming through so fast I could hardly breathe through it. 

No, no, no. 

Belle was my daughter; I couldn’t let her take her away from me. 

“Belle, your Mommy’s back,” she said sweetly. “Come on, call me Mommy and come to me.”

Just as I reached out, Belle immediately dodged Ivy and hit behind me. “Mommy! Tell the bad lady to stay away!”