5

Chapter 5

Jessica Hemsworth

I had no idea for how long I had been out, but as I snapped my eyes open, I found myself sitting in front of the mirror in my room. Alone. Wearing a different cloth.

I did the first thing that came to my mind. Checking my stomach, but shockingly, there was no sign of being injured there.

“What happened?” I muttered, trying to make sense out of what was happening.

I was still trying to figure out something when the door opened, and Viktor walked inside, wearing a black suit.

His face hardened as soon as he saw me. “The guests are almost here! Why are you still here? Are you planning to ruin tonight for me?"

Those words rang a bell in my ears. I have heard those words from him before, but how? When was it?

Then, my eyes darted to my phone, and I did the first thing that came to my mind. To check the calendar.

My eyes shot open at the date I found in the calendar. It was Viktor's company's anniversary. Four years ago. 

Oh my god, I must be only 26 right now!

Am I seriously getting another chance to live?

I lifted my gaze to Viktor, hope coursing through me as I was met by his eyes blazing with fury.

‘Get ready for my revenge, Viktor. You are going to regret ever treating me like a piece of trash’

Viktor glared hard at me, his eyes dripping with disdain as if I was nothing but a piece of shit.

If I had a choice, I would never have married him, but I didn't.

“The guests are already waiting. Don't keep me waiting.” And with that, he turned around and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

I clenched my jaw tightly, as my heart twisted in my chest.

My gaze dropped to the bed. To the white worn out gown Viktor asked me to wear. It was his company's fifteen years anniversary, and yet, he wanted me, his wife, to wear an old cloth. So he could humiliate me in front of everyone, just like he did on this day in my first life.

I still remembered vividly how I looked like a maid in that dress. The amount of bullyings I got then. Never! I will never allow that to repeat itself.

I walked over to the closet and threw the doors open, revealing the beautiful clothes hung inside. Although they weren't popular designs, they were beautiful and event-worthy. I had saved up some money to buy all the clothes for myself.

My hand stretched to one of them. A deep blue long fitted strapless gown, a pair of heels of the same colour, and finally, a blue purse to compliment it.

A proud smile crept up my face as I stood in front of the mirror, fully adorned with the beautiful dress. My brown hair was held up in a neat tight bun.

“You got this, Jess. Let's change your life.” I smiled before leaving the room.

With my heart in my neck, my fingers clenched tightly around the purse, I approached the hall where the event was hosting. It was a mini hall in Viktor's apartment.

I could hear slow music and distinct noise as I stood in front of the hall whose door was closed.

“You got this, Jess.” And with that, I pushed the door open, and as I stepped inside, the noise slowly faded until silence took over the atmosphere.

My eyes met with Viktor's the moment I raised my gaze. His face was frozen with shock, and his lips were hanging open.

I could tell his eyes flashed with admiration for a split second, but it didn't last long before rage replaced it.

Then, my eyes darted to Susan who was coincidentally wearing the same outfit as myself, standing beside Viktor. Oh… her own dress was probably made by a popular designer and would be more expensive than mine.

Her face flashed with anger and disgust the moment she saw me, but I didn't care.

“Let's see how you are going to introduce me this time, Viktor.” My lips curled up in a smirk as I walked inside. Back then on this same event, he had introduced me to everyone as his maid. I did really look like one.

“Hey!” I halted in front of Viktor, forcing a smile on my face even though I was burning inside. The sight of him irritated me.

For a moment, I took in the ambiance of the hall. A big chandelier light was ascending from the ceiling, dishing out light in the hall that had a banquet set-up. There were just a few guests, but all of them were dignitaries. Viktor was the CEO of one of the successful wine companies in LA, so it wasn't surprising that he knows many people of high status.

“What are you wearing, Jess?” He gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with fury.

“This is not the dress I asked you to wear!” He added, clenching his jaws tightly.

“What is wrong with it?” I raised my eyebrows, my lips curling up in a smile.

“You are going to trigger Jeremy with that. Her mom had a similar dress!” He said in a whisper, resisting the urge to yell at me.

“I think you should deal with your son if he is traumatised, Viktor. If my dress triggers your son, then I think he is the one with the problem…” I paused, then closed the little distance between us, dusting the invisible speck of dust on his black suit as I smiled. “The one you should pay more attention to is your son, not me. Don't you think so?”

His eyes flickered with anger as he clenched his jaws tightly.

He reached for my hand, but I took it away before he could touch me, stepping away from him.

“Jessica…” Susan stepped forward with a pretentious smile on her face as she held my hand.

“You look beautiful in that dress. What a coincidence. We are wearing the same dress.” She chuckled dryly, but unfortunately, I was the last person she could fool.

“Where did you get that dress from by the way? Did Viktor get it for you? Is it a popular design?” She said it loudly in a way that she invited attention to us.

“I'm just curious, Jess. You know I got mine directly from Valentino just three days ago, and it was the only available piece at the moment, so I was just wondering where you got yours.” She added, obviously wanting to humiliate me.

“I'm just noticing that now. They are wearing the same dress?”

“Her own is obviously fake. Why would she wear something so fake?”

My fingers clenched tightly around my purse as I listened to the guests throwing words around carelessly.

“You should've just worn the dress I chose for you. Do you enjoy embarrassing yourself like this?” Viktor scoffed as he lifted the tall wine glass he was holding, to his lips.

I felt my body go cold with embarrassment, as I stood there staring silently, unable to say anything. I thought I would be able to defend myself. I had prepared to, but I couldn't even hold my head up. It wasn't as easy as I had presumed it would be.

“Did you do that to please dad? You don't ever know your place, do you?” For the first time since I walked inside, I heard Jeremy speak, his voice dripping with disdain.

I took a step back, tears welled up in my eyes as I listened to their insults. I thought just changing my dress would save me from the insult, but I was wrong. Nothing changed.

Then, I felt a hand wrap around my shoulder from behind, stopping me from falling as my legs were already trembling and about to betray me.

“Does the design of the dress matter? I don't think it does, as long as it looks perfect on her.” An unfamiliar masculine voice belonging to the strong arm around me, spoke.

His voice had this strange aura that sent silence across the hall at once. Even the sound of a pin drop could be heard at that moment.

His thick and loud footsteps echoed in the hall as he stepped away from me, giving me the chance to turn to him. However, my eyes shot open and I froze on the spot as I crooked my neck to look up at his familiar face.

Oliver Hall?! The famous billionaire model and designer who owns the biggest fashion house in LA.