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All Chapters of Leaving After Learning My Lesson: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

The day of my discharge happened to be on my adopted sister Vivianne Sadler's birthday. My parents, Andrew Sadler and Rosalie Bloom, told me it was Vivianne who'd voluntarily spoken about me, saying she was willing to "give me a chance to start anew". That was why my parents had agreed to discharge me from the "institution" I was in.The said "institution" was actually called the Behavioral Correction Center.It was a secluded organization owned by the Giovannis, a mafia family. On the surface, it claimed to be a wellness center that provided mental reformation for the children of the wealthy. However, everyone knew its actual purpose was to deal with those who defied the Giovannis.I had already packed my luggage earlier in the morning, so I had been waiting by the door all this time.However, not a single person from my family showed up all day long.Only when night fell did my phone finally ring."Are you throwing a tantrum again, Vanessa Sadler?" My brother, Hugh Sadler, as

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 o

Chapter 3

Matteo kept on gazing at me from the side. He seemed very pleased by how "mature" I was."Nessie, since you're more obedient now," he began in a neutral tone, "we'll proceed with the wedding the day after tomorrow. It's just like how we agreed before."He then paused and glanced at Vivianne before saying to me, "Before we get to that step, you'd need to apologize to Viv first."Matteo's tone left no room for refusal. "If you can't even do that, then I'll send you back to the facility myself."Vivianne gently tugged on my hand with a tender smile. "It's okay, Nessie. I'll accept your apology."She was so perfectly kind and understanding that it felt like she had already rehearsed this.I gazed at her, feeling incredulous.I'd told them countless times a year ago that I hadn't been responsible for what happened to Vivian. Yet, no one had been able to vouch for me after she allegedly broke down.Even Matteo—whom I grew up with and was my fiance at that point—had been the first to

Chapter 4

The next day, Matteo sent my wedding gown over—it was pink.Vivianne loved pink, whereas I had always loved white. Even still, I accepted the dress with a smile."This was tailor-made according to Viv's preferences. If you don't like it…" he began.I shook my head. "No. The dress looks good in pink, too."Matteo was taken aback as his brows knitted together. "Are you sure you are okay with it?"I nodded.Satisfied, he then bobbed his head. With a sigh, he said, "If you were this obedient from the start, we would have married a year ago. You also wouldn't have had to go to the Behavioral Correction Center for reform. Get some rest. I want you to be at your best at our wedding tomorrow."He left the room while I stayed seated at my bedside.Every inch of the pink wedding gown was studded in diamonds and pearls that shimmered brightly.It should have been a dream come true for me, yet I only stared at it calmly and with little emotion.The door opened, revealing Vivianne in a pi

Chapter 5

Matteo stood up abruptly. He spoke in a sullen tone, his voice laced with restrained anger. "How did this happen?"Then, he turned to look at Andrew and Rosalie, his gaze cold as ice. "Do you two know where Vanessa's gone?"Andrew's brows were furrowed as he replied in a panicked tone, "W-We don't know where Vanessa is either!""She must be throwing tantrums again." Hugh snapped from the side. "Didn't I tell you guys to let her continue staying at the facility?"The church doors opened the moment he finished speaking. Everyone instantly turned to look.Vivianne stood at the entrance wearing a pink gown. She had a lovely smile as she slowly walked in.She walked up to Matteo with a shy expression."Matteo," she murmured. "We can't call this wedding off. Vanessa is being childish, but I can marry on her behalf."She spoke so softly it was as if she was offering herself to him. "This wedding concerns our families and their alliance. We mustn't let this ruin our reputation.Hugh i

Chapter 6

"You were mistaken, Hugh!" Vivianne hurriedly explained. "I went to sleep early last night. How could I have gone to Vanessa's room?"Hugh scratched his head. "I might've made a mistake then…"The moment he said this, she tugged coquettishly at his sleeve and added, "You must have remembered wrong, Hugh!"Feigning aggrievement, she commented, "Nessie doesn't like me and is always picking on me. How could I hang out with her alone? She even blamed me when she injured her own hand.""Restore the footage right away," Matteo instructed, cutting Vivianne off. He had an icy expression with a dark gaze.Vivianne's face was as pale as a sheet.She went and tugged on our parents' sleeves in a child-like manner. "You guys believe me, don't you, Mom and Dad? How could I have cut the wedding dress up? Vanessa must've done it! I have always had a good relationship with her, yet she's trying to sabotage me!"Neither Andrew nor Rosalie spoke this time, though.Rosalie gazed at Vivianne, her e

Chapter 7

I arrived in a seaside town in the south after leaving Sadler Manor.Initially, I was fearful of social interaction due to my experience at Giovanni Behavioural Correctional Facility. I also faced obstacles in my job search.However, just as I was at my lowest, the owner of a nearby bakery took me in. Her name was Amelia Dennings. She provided me with a place to stay and even let me work at her bakery.I rented a small apartment to live in. It was a very cozy place, even though it lacked the luxury that Sadler Manor had.I really liked the bakery's atmosphere too. My days were spent busying about in the bakery, and I didn't need to think much about anything else.A month passed just like that.…When I returned home after work one night, I spotted several familiar figures in the lobby downstairs. It was Rosalie, Andrew, Hugh, and Matteo.How did they find me here?I squeezed my hands together, feeling a little unsure of what to do.Hugh's eyes lit up the moment he saw me. "

Chapter 8

The Sadlers looked wounded upon hearing what I said. They seemed to want to say more, but I no longer wished to listen to them.I turned and went upstairs, only to be followed by Matteo.Matteo grabbed my wrist and said frantically, "I know I was wrong, Vanessa. I fell for Vivianne's lies and thought you were bullying her back home. That was why I sided with her. Now I see that you're genuine and kind. I should have cherished you instead. Can you please forgive me? Why don't we get married? I'll make you the happiest woman alive."I gazed at him, feeling absurd.I used to long so deeply for Matteo's love, but I had let go of that entirely at this point."Thank you for your kind gesture, Matteo," I replied lightly. "But I no longer have any feelings for you. You should go now. Don't disturb me again."Matteo was in disbelief. "How could you be so cruel, Vanessa? I know you're still angry with me, but I really love you! I'll find a way to make you fall in love with me again!"I ig

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