Chapter 5

Vanya POv

I stood outside the house that was now legally mine, listening to the loud music and laughter spilling from the windows. My former home was packed with people celebrating, and I could hear every word of their conversation through the thin walls.

"Bernard must really love his wife," one of his friends was saying loudly over the music. "Throwing such a big party just because she got discharged from the hospital. That's true love right there."

Another voice laughed mockingly. "Love? Are you stupid? This isn't for his wife. Today is Tracy's birthday, remember? And Bernard just got that promotion at the construction company. They're celebrating two things, and neither of them has anything to do with that pathetic wife of his."

"Tracy's birthday?" the first voice said with realization. "Oh right, I forgot. But still, what if his wife shows up and sees this party? She's going to be furious when she realizes it's not for her."

Bernard's voice boomed through the house, slurred from alcohol. "If that worthless woman dares to say anything to me, I'll throw these divorce papers right in her face. I'm so tired of pretending to care about her. I can't wait for her to give me a reason to finally get rid of her."

"Divorce papers?" someone gasped. "You already have them prepared?"

"Hell yes," Bernard laughed cruelly. "I've been waiting for the perfect moment. She has no car, no money, no job, nothing. She's completely dependent on me like the pathetic housewife she is. When I divorce her, she'll have nowhere to go and no way to survive. It'll be the perfect revenge for all the years I've had to put up with her boring, useless existence."

Tracy's high-pitched giggle echoed through the house. "Oh baby, you're so smart. She's going to be homeless and helpless while we live happily ever after in this beautiful house."

"Exactly," Bernard agreed. "I just need her to do something that gives me an excuse to serve those papers. Maybe throw a tantrum about this party or complain about something. Then I can finally be free of her forever."

I pressed my hand against my designer purse where the divorce papers Marcus had prepared were waiting, and I couldn't help but smile. They had no idea what was coming for them.

"Keep talking about me," I whispered to myself, adjusting my sunglasses. "You have no clue what's about to hit you."

Taking a deep breath, I walked up to the front door and pressed the doorbell firmly. The sound echoed through the house, and immediately the music stopped.

"Who could that be?" someone asked.

"Maybe it's more guests for Tracy's party," another voice suggested.

"Let's surprise whoever it is!" Tracy squealed excitedly. "Everyone hide and then pop out when they come in!"

I heard the sound of people scrambling around, trying to find hiding spots while giggling like children. After a few moments, Bernard's footsteps approached the door.

"Coming!" he called out in a fake cheerful voice.

The door swung open, and Bernard's face went from fake happiness to complete shock in a matter of seconds. His mouth fell open as he stared at me like he was seeing a ghost.

I stood there like the queen I had always been meant to be, letting him take in every detail of my transformation. My emerald green dress hugged my curves perfectly, my hair fell in glossy waves over my shoulders, and my makeup was flawless. Diamond earrings sparkled at my ears, and my designer heels added four inches to my height, making me tower over him with confidence.

"Is this... is this the actress I saw at the mall earlier?" Bernard stammered, his eyes wide with disbelief. "What are you doing here? How did you get into my house? Oh my God, I've never seen this kind of beauty before in my life."

I stepped forward gracefully, my heels clicking against the hardwood floor with the sound of power and authority. The moment I crossed the threshold, balloons and confetti exploded around me as everyone jumped out from their hiding spots.

"SURPRISE TRACY!" they all shouted in unison, then immediately froze when they realized I wasn't who they expected.

The room fell into stunned silence as twenty pairs of eyes stared at me in confusion. Some people still had party horns in their mouths, others were holding streamers, and everyone looked completely bewildered.

I smiled gracefully and continued walking into the living room, my heels clicking with confidence. Slowly, I reached up and removed my sunglasses, then flipped my hair over my shoulder in one smooth, elegant motion.

"Oh my God," one of Bernard's friends whispered. "Bernard, is that your wife?"

The reaction was immediate and explosive. Bernard's face went completely white, his mouth hanging open in shock like he had never been more surprised in his entire life.

"VANYA?" Bernard shouted, his voice cracking with shock. "What happened to you? How did you... where did you... what the hell is going on?"

Just then, the front door opened again and Tracy walked in with Mrs. Fredrick, Bernard's mother. They were both laughing and chatting about something until they saw the frozen crowd and the balloons scattered on the floor.

"What's going on here?" Tracy asked, looking around confused. "Why does everyone look like they've seen a ghost?"

Mrs. Fredrick's sharp eyes immediately found me standing in the center of the room, and her face went pale with shock. "Who is that woman? Bernard, who is this person in our house?"

Tracy followed her gaze and when her eyes landed on me, her shopping bags dropped from her hands and crashed to the floor. "What... who... is that supposed to be Vanya?"

I smiled serenely, enjoying every second of their confusion and amazement. The power I felt in that moment was intoxicating. For five years, these people had made me feel small, worthless, and invisible. Now they were staring at me like I was a goddess who had descended from heaven.

I walked gracefully toward Tracy, my heels clicking with authority. When I reached her, I leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss on both cheeks, European style.

"Happy birthday, dear friend," I said sweetly, my voice smooth as silk. "I hope you're having a wonderful celebration."

Tracy's mouth hung open as she stared at me in complete disbelief. "Vanya, is that really you? You look... you look..."

"Different?" I suggested, tilting my head slightly. "Yes, I suppose I do."

I turned toward Bernard, who was still frozen in shock, and smiled brilliantly. "And congratulations on your promotion, darling husband. You must be so proud of yourself."

Bernard finally seemed to find his voice again. "Vanya, what's going on? Where did you get the money for all this? This is impossible. You don't have clothes like this. You don't even know how to do makeup like that."

I reached into my designer purse and pulled out the manila envelope containing the divorce papers Marcus had prepared. The thick legal documents felt heavy with the weight of my freedom.

"Actually, Bernard," I said, my voice growing stronger with each word, " I have a very special surprise for you. Something that I think will change both our lives forever.”