Chapter 2

I spent the entire night walking from the Behavioral Correction Center to Sadler Manor. It was dawn by the time I arrived.

I hadn't received a single message or call on my phone throughout the entire night.

I stood outside the door, hearing the sounds of music and glasses clinking ring out from behind the glass. I could also hear Vivianne's laughter.

…

The moment one of the staff opened the door, the light from inside shone onto my washed-out clothes.

Hugh's brows furrowed together when he turned and saw me. "Why are you dressed like that? Are you trying to seek our attention again?"

I looked down.

This was the only set of clothes I had. It was the facility's uniform, and its colors had long faded from repeated washing.

Hugh observed me closely. "Look at you, all frail and meek. Did you purposely make yourself look like this so we would feel sorry for you?"

"I am fine," I replied quietly.

Those were the first three words I learned at the facility. After all, having any sort of emotion in that place was considered a mistake.

My mother, Rosalie, was taken aback by how obedient I was. "We'd planned to pick you up at first, Nessie. Viv had a sudden headache, so—"

Andrew cut her off. "Yeah. We couldn't make it in time due to some emergency matters."

"It's alright," came my quiet response.

They all sighed in relief upon hearing that. They were used to people being submissive to them, something that I seemed to be doing right now.

With a scoff, Hugh commented, "It looks like you finally learned your manners in that place."

Rosalie looked glad. "Since you've changed your bad habits, we'll still be your family. We can start over as long as you continue being a good girl."

I smiled lightly. "Thank you, Mrs. Sadler."

The smile on her face froze when she heard me call her that. She seemed stunned, as if this was the first time hearing someone address her this way.

Vivianne walked over at that moment. A familiar pink diamond necklace was draped around her neck.

Matteo, my fiance, had bought that necklace for her.

Her smile was tender and innocent as she looked at me. "I've already forgiven you, Vanessa. So, why don't we let bygones be bygones?"

I gazed at her in silence, recalling what had happened a year ago.

The Giovanni family had hosted a charity banquet that night. Vivianne had gone onstage to play the piano while I stood by Matteo.

He had then publicly announced that he was going to fund Vivianne's art project.

When Matteo personally put that pink diamond necklace on Vivanne's neck, the media journalists had taken countless pictures. It made headlines with the title "Is Vivianne Sadler Seducing Her Own Future-Brother-In-Law?".

…

Vivianne was sent to a private clinic the very next day due to an alleged emotional breakdown. I was consequently accused of being the cause of her "psychological issues".

The Sadler family's PR team leapt to action. They needed a scapegoat for the family's scandal and ended up choosing me to fulfill that role.

What followed was a false DNA report that was sent to the family's team of lawyers and a public statement that claimed, "Vanessa Sadler is not related to the Sadlers by blood—she was adopted".

Just like that, I was signed off to the facility.

None of them came to visit me even once during my one year there.

Now, Vivianne was standing right before me once again.

I calmly nodded. "Okay."

She looked relieved and smiled, pleased. She thought I still cared about those false accusations she made against me.

However, I only cared about one thing—taking my ID and personal documents with me before leaving this place forever.

Rosalie joined the chorus while Andrew raised his glass, to which Hugh topped it up with champagne.

Matteo was sitting beside Vivianne. He quietly said something to her, making her giggle sweetly.

None of them paid attention to me as I stood there in the doorway.

I had once tried so hard to be part of their family, but now, I finally understood that leaving this place was the only way to retain my last shred of dignity.