Chapter 3

VALERIA

Even if I ended up dying by that man’s hands someday, it'd be a thousand times better than staying in this pit of snakes and scorpions I once called family.

Once I made the decision, I quietly wiped the tears from my face and rose to my feet. I looked at the three of them, and one bitter question formed in my mind.

How had I not seen how selfish, hypocritical, and mercenary these people truly were?

Let’s start with Mom.

She liked to present herself as a doting mother, always fawning over her children like we were her world. But in truth, the only thing she loved was the luxurious life my father provided. She’d never allow anything or anyone, to threaten that comfort.

Not even us, her children.

As for my dear father...

He seemed like the typical respectable and dignified head of the family. But deep down, he was nothing more than a hypocrite. The kind of man who wouldn’t hesitate to sell his daughter to the highest bidder, as long as it bought him glory.

And Aaron?

Today shattered any illusions I had left of him.

The brother I remembered, the one who used to smile gently and pat my head when I cried, was nothing more than a snake with a pretty face. A man who didn’t hesitate to push his sister straight into a fire pit, just so he could stay warm and untouched on the sidelines.

And my so-called twin sister?

Ha.

Perfect little Vanessa. The ideal socialite. She wore her hypocrisy like second skin.

It was no wonder she fit into high society world so well. Because that’s what people like her did best.

Backstab you with a smile.

“What a family,” I muttered aloud, somehow managing to find amusement in my situation.

“If there was ever a mistake in the gene pool, it must’ve been me. A genetic mutation. That would explain why I’ve never fit in with them since day one.”

Some might call it adaptability—my ability to cope and keep going, no matter how bad things got. But my friends called it being cold. Heartless, even.

My ex-boyfriend did too—back when I dumped him without so much as a tear.

Back then, I laughed it off.

But now… I was beginning to wonder if they were right.

Because despite everything, despite the betrayal and humiliation I'd just been through, my heart was now disturbingly calm. As though the tears I’d just wiped away had washed every last ounce of indignation, grief, hatred, and pain from my body.

I felt hollow, from inside out.

But maybe I’d simply learned how to bottle everything up so well that even I couldn’t tell what I was feeling anymore.

But none of that mattered right now.

There were more important things to focus on. I took a slow, deep breath, locking away the rest of my thoughts, stood up and spoke calmly.

“Fine. I’ll marry him.”

“Really?!”

I wasn't surprised at Mom’s gleeful outburst. Of course she’d be the first to react.

I didn't bother sparing her a glance, turning instead to face the two people who actually held the power in this room.

And sure enough, while they didn’t display their excitement as openly, I saw the gleam in their eyes as well as the faint curl of satisfaction at the corners of their lips.

Hypocrites.

Before they got too comfortable, I continued unhurriedly.

“But only on one condition.”

That wiped the smugness right off their faces.

Instantly, both men straightened, an alert and guarded look in their eyes. I couldn’t help the laugh that slipped out at their reaction.

“Really? Relax. I’m not after anything that belongs to you. I promise.”

I let my eyes settle on Aaron before adding, “Or anything that will belong to you.”

His expression darkened slightly. I knew what he'd been thinking—whether I intended to carve out a share of the inheritance or his future place as the family's crown jewel.

After all, with Mr. Hale’s very obvious patriarchal values, Aaron probably already saw the entire Hale estate as his.

Too bad for him, though—I didn’t want any of it.

Anything of theirs would be too dirty and stinky for my liking.

“My condition is simple. I want a letter of severance from this family. A clean break. No ties, no claims, no obligations.” I stated. “That shouldn’t be a problem, should it?”

As the words left my mouth, I watched Dad’s expression darken.

While Aaron didn’t speak, he looked pensive and suspicious, likely trying to figure out if there was some hidden trap in my request.

As if I was that bored.

Meanwhile, Mom exploded.

“What do you mean by that, Valeria?!” she snapped, pointing at me furiously. “You’d better explain yourself!”

I met her anger with indifference. “That’s my only condition. You either agree to it, or I don’t go through with this farce of a marriage. You can also try to force me if you’d like… but something tells me he wouldn’t appreciate that.”

That shut her up.

I turned to face Mr. Hale once more, watching as calculation flickered across his features. I knew him well enough to know what he was thinking—and I also knew how this would end.

Sure enough, a moment later, he spoke.

“Alright. I agree.”

“What? Darling—!”

Mom tried to protest, but he cut her off immediately. “Shut up. Your thoughts aren’t needed here.”

She fell silent instantly, shrinking back into her seat, her shoulders hunched and head bowed. But not before casting me a conflicted look—one I didn’t care to interpret. It didn’t matter anymore.

None of them did.

I smiled coldly.

“That’s great, for all of us. After today, you’ll have nothing to do with me, and I’ll have nothing to do with you. From now on, let’s consider ourselves strangers.”

“Val—”

“I think that’s all I have to say. Do let me know when that man—or his people—arrive.”

And with that, I turned and walked away.

I didn’t wait for a response. I didn’t look back.

I just climbed the stairs slowly and left them all behind in that suffocating space.