VIONNE'S POV

One month.

That's how long it had been since Harrison walked out and I signed those divorce papers. A whole month of trying to breathe normally again.

I tried to pick myself up every morning and act like I was okay. I told myself I didn't need him. I told myself he wasn't worth my tears.

I even had a wild night with a stranger. I didn't remember his name again, I didn't care. I just wanted to forget. I wanted someone else's hands on my body, someone else's lips against my skin. I thought maybe, just maybe, it would erase the memory of Harrison's touch. It helped for a moment.

And I didn't think things could get worse.

It was a rainy Tuesday. The kind of day that already made your bones feel heavy. I was curled up on the couch, knees tucked to my chest, sipping lukewarm tea. The kind that had lost all warmth, like everything else in my life. I was trying to focus on a book, but I had read the same sentence seven times and still had no idea what it said.

That's when my phone rang.

My father's assistant. Her voice was cold and sharp, like always. No warmth, no kindness, just clipped words like she was reading off a script.

"Mr. Wallace requests your presence at the mansion this afternoon. Four o'clock sharp."

My stomach twisted. I hadn't heard from my father in weeks. Not when the divorce hit the papers. Not when the photos of Harrison and Nora started spreading like wildfire. Not a single call. Not a single word. And now he wanted to see me. Just like that.

I didn't know what to expect. A part of me, a small, desperate part hoped he finally cared. Maybe he realized I'd been suffering. Maybe he regretted the silence. Maybe he wanted to be there for me. Maybe, for once, he would act like a father.

I dressed slowly. I didn't want to look weak, even if I felt it in every bone of my body. I chose a simple navy-blue dress. Something elegant. Something that made me feel like I still had a little dignity left. I put on low heels and touched up my makeup. Just enough to cover the tiredness under my eyes. Just enough to look like I was still standing on my own two feet.

The drive to the mansion felt longer than usual. The sky was gray and heavy, and raindrops slid down the windows like tears.

When I arrived, the gates opened like always. But nothing felt the same. The mansion looked colder. Quieter. Like it already knew I wasn't welcome anymore.

I walked in and one of the house staff led me straight to my father's office.

And the second I stepped in, I couldn't breathe.

Nora was there.

Harrison was there.

And sitting comfortably in the armchair, like it was her house, was Nora's mother, Deborah.

Nora looked radiant. She wore a soft pink dress, the kind that made her look delicate and sweet. Her blonde hair was curled into soft waves, her makeup perfect, like she'd stepped out of a magazine. And her smile-God, that smile-was the kind that made your skin crawl. She looked thrilled to see me.

Harrison stood beside her, casual, like he belonged there. His hand rested lightly on her lower back. The same hand that used to hold me. The same hand that used to trace circles on my skin when I couldn't sleep.

I froze in the doorway. My eyes moved to my father. He was behind his desk, his face blank, his hands folded neatly in front of him.

"Sit down," he said. His voice was flat, hard.

I sat slowly. My legs felt weak, like they didn't trust the ground anymore. I gripped the hem of my dress, trying to steady my hands.

"They're engaged," he said.

No warning. No kindness. Just the words.

I stared at him. My mind couldn't catch up. My heart slammed against my ribs.

Nora lifted her hand, her smile widening. A diamond ring glittered on her finger. My mother's diamond. The one my father swore he'd keep safe.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she said like it was nothing. "Daddy thought I should have it."

My mouth went dry. My chest hurt.

"You're marrying my husband," I whispered.

"Ex-husband," she corrected with a soft, fake smile. "And it's not like you were making him happy."

I turned to my father. Desperate. Hurt. "Dad, how can you let this happen? Harrison cheated on me. With Nora!"

He didn't even blink.

"Nora makes Harrison happy. That's all that matters now."

His words hit harder than I thought they could.

"What about me?" My voice cracked, no matter how hard I tried to hold it steady. "What about how I feel?"

He leaned back in his chair, eyes hard. "You? You humiliated this family. You walked out of your marriage like a drunk. Slept with God knows who. You let the media tear us apart."

Tears burned behind my eyes. "I was heartbroken. I didn't plan any of it."

"You're a disgrace," he said, cold as ice.

I gasped. The word felt like a slap.

He reached into his drawer and pulled out an envelope. He placed it in front of me like it meant nothing.

"What is this?" I asked, barely able to breathe.

"Legal transfer documents. All my company shares are now under Nora's name. She deserves it. She's responsible. Composed. She'll carry the Wallace legacy forward."

My heart stopped. "You're cutting me off?"

"I'm cleaning up your mess."

I couldn't move. Couldn't speak. My whole body felt numb. My skin burned from the inside out.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw something. I wanted to make them all feel the way I did.

But I didn't.

I stood up. Slowly. My knees wobbled beneath me. I looked my father in the eye.

"You really mean it," I said.

He didn't flinch. "You're no longer my daughter."

Just like that.

Nora smirked like she'd won.

Harrison didn't even look at me.

Deborah chuckled under her breath like it was all a game.

I turned around and walked out.

I didn't cry until I got to my car.

Then I broke.

I clutched the steering wheel, pressing my forehead to it, and sobbed until I couldn't breathe. My body shook. My throat burned. My heart felt like it had split open and no one cared.

I had lost everything.

My husband.

My family.

My place in the world.

And the worst part?

Not a single person in that room loved me.

VIONNE'S POV

...WEEKS LATER ....

I sat on my small bed, in my small space. A dream about him had me waking up with a grin.

I said small space because I'd gotten myself this tiny apartment after my dad took the house I was living in.

I couldn't stay with Maddie. She welcomed me, sure-but she had her boyfriend living there too. I disagreed.

These past few weeks, I cried myself to sleep every day, knowing I'd lost everything. Family. Houses. Good clothes. Jewellery. My job. Money to Nora.

Any good thing you can think of. Gone.

The PJ Mask I'm wearing now and the few clothes I have left-I bought those during my last shopping trip.

I tried finding a job, but no company would hire me. I know my family had a hand in that.

It's obvious my dad had forgotten I used to be the backbone of all his companies. They really wanted my life to be miserable. And guess what? It's working.

Last night, before bed, I made sure to take my mind off them and focus on me. Indeed, I was starting life from square ZERO.

Thinking of that made my eyes sting and my heart ache. The question was: where do I even start?

It was early morning. Sunlight poured through my small window, casting a soft glow.

My stomach rumbled. Hunger had been a constant companion these past few weeks. Those worms in my guts had no idea my pocket change would vanish in a blink.

Still, through all my ups and downs, there was one person who made me feel hopeful.

And you know what? It was him. The elegant, aged, handsome god I'd been with at the club.

Gosh... that dream had been too good.

I hated that I couldn't get him out of my head. I mean... he was old enough to be my father, right?

A sharp ping from my phone sliced through my thoughts, dragging me back to reality.

"The fuck... who's that?" I muttered, slipping off the bed to grab my phone from the nightstand.

My stomach tightened when I saw whose name was on the screen.

It was a text message. I read through it

"'Hello, sister, I just got a delivery man to come give you an envelope. Congratulations to me, and you are invited to my wedding. Hope to see you there. Don't be a stranger. XOXO.

"Fuck you, Nora! Fuck all of you!" I cursed, anger shaking my entire body. I almost threw my phone across the room.

How the hell? Does she know my address?

I fell back onto the bed, my fist gripping my hair as though it could stop the boiling rage inside me.

Wedding? What the hell? They had already planned that.

Did I even have a proper dress for a wedding I was being invited to? Definitely to mock me. I boiled.

"You must be out of your mind, Nora. Honestly, you need to go to rehab," I muttered, fingers already flying across my phone keyboard.

Then... a small, sharp knock on my wooden door made me freeze mid-typing.

My heart skipped. My eyes darted toward the door. My neighbourhood was rough, sketchy. There was no security. I could literally get killed here. This wasn't the life I planned for myself.

That might be the delivery man Nora sent, I thought, carefully standing from the bed.

I took a deep breath and opened the door.

My eyes locked with a strange man in uniform. I exhaled slowly. At least he didn't look like a threat.

"Good morning, Miss. You've got a package," he said.

I rolled my eyes at him, confused. I wasn't expecting anything.

"This is a little note. Reading it might help," he added, reaching for his shirt pocket and slipping out a beautifully designed envelope.

I watched his every movement. He looked... suspicious. Or maybe I was just paranoid.

I brought the note closer to my face. 'My eyes scan properly,' it read.

'Sender: Anonymous. However, you just have to follow all the instructions in this envelope.'

My breath caught. Heat crept to my neck, and the envelope trembled in my fingers.

This wasn't from Nora. Definitely not.

"Are you okay?" the man asked, eyes flashing with surprise at my sudden mood shift.

I stepped back instinctively. "I'm supposed to be asking you that, dude! What game are you playing?" I screeched. Fear coursed through me.

He looked confused. Maybe he was pretending.

"Who... sent you? Anonymous?"

"I'm really sorry. It's a gift. The client didn't want to deliver it personally," he explained, then showed me an ID from his pocket. "I mean no harm. This is DAMI Logistics."

I squinted. Okay... employer. Legit. Trusted. I'd used them before.

"Oh my God," I whispered, a mix of relief and lingering anxiety.

I huffed roughly, trying to stay calm, though a flicker of fear lingered in my chest.

I scanned him from head to toe. "Alright... but I don't think I've ever seen their drivers wear this uniform," I said, skeptical.

"It's new, miss," he said softly, smiling. Polite... but still intimidating.

"I'm sorry for the trouble, and thanks for the package," I said, taking it from him.

"You're welcome. Have a good day," he replied, then disappeared.

"That's a gentleman right there," I muttered. "A lot of good men... and I married a cheater. A nicompo."

I shut the door and stumbled into my room, tossing the package onto the bed.

My eyes blurred. I staggered, trying not to collapse.

"What the hell is still messing with me?" I whispered, rubbing my temples.

Hunger gnawed at me.

But I needed to see what was inside.

I hesitated, scared yet curious.

My morning routine had to wait.

What if it's a bomb? Trusted company or not, anything was possible.

I climbed onto the bed and started unboxing the package.

Inside was a box from Louis Vuitton.

I froze. "What... this is getting more terrifying," I muttered.

Could this really be Nora? Mocking me again with fake designer goods?

My fingers continued unwrapping.

It was real.

Not a trick.

Guess what I found?

"Unbelievable... who the hell sent this?" I exclaimed, genuinely confused and scared.

My family couldn't have sent it. Impossible.

It wasn't Maddie-she literally couldn't afford this.

Then... who?