Chapter 3

Vicky was obviously not telling the truth, but Zach aggressively berated me:

"Apologize to Vicky right now!"

I noticed Vicky's subtle look of satisfaction.

Maintaining a neutral tone, I stated again, "I'm not responsible for this. It doesn't involve me."

Zach clutched my shirt, his gaze filled with fury.

"Why are you still behaving like a pampered brat?" he growled.

"Remember—your parents aren't here to protect you anymore. You're just a pet I keep around now."

Zach always knew how to inflict the deepest wounds.

My parents had died unexpectedly last year. They had been my source of strength, and their absence left me feeling lost. Since then, Zach had grown increasingly cold and distant towards me. Only the news of the baby had briefly rekindled some warmth in our relationship.

But now, his words shattered me.

Not content with trampling my affection, he also crushed my self-respect.

Despite the rising resentment within me, I raised my head and said, "If you don't believe me, review the security footage."

Zach looked at me with disappointment before turning to hug Vicky. Without another word, he left the room with her in his arms.

I gazed at the river through the window, feeling only the sharp pain in my heart.

I never imagined he would regard me with such contempt. When my parents died, I had entrusted him with all their wealth, believing we were creating a future together. Yet, he now saw me as worthless, reducing me to nothing more than an object.

That night, as I lay in bed unable to sleep, my phone lit up with a series of messages.

[Hey sis, I heard you've been after Zach for seven years. Isn't it funny how I've only been here a few days, and you're already losing him?]

[Do yourself a favor and give up now. I'd hate to see you embarrass yourself further.]

She even sent me intimate photos of herself and Zach.

The images seared into my mind: their bodies intertwined in bed, her sitting on the kitchen counter with him between her thighs. Every detail was clear.

My hands shook as I stared at the screen.

I hadn't expected Zach to move so quickly. Vicky had only returned three days ago.

I pulled the blanket over my head. Oddly, I couldn't cry anymore. It was as if I had already accepted that Zach never truly loved me.

I didn't hear him come home, but I felt his arms encircle me as he sighed softly.

"Yvette, what am I going to do with you?"

I noticed faint kiss marks on his neck and the unmistakable scent of another woman's perfume on him.

Still, he held me close.

"You shouldn't have hurt Vicky," he said.

I moved away from his embrace, but his expression darkened.

"You're so immature," he muttered.

"You're coming with me tomorrow to apologize to her."

I closed my eyes, not wanting to see or speak to him anymore.

His hand moved to my stomach, and his voice softened.

"The baby needs a good mother."

Those words felt like a punch. The loss of our child was a painful reminder that Zach and I should have ended our relationship long ago.

When I didn't respond, his anger flared.

"If you don't apologize, I'll scatter your parents' ashes."

I froze, staring at him in shock. His threat was cruel. My parents had saved him, yet he now used their memory as a weapon against me.

My voice quivered as I replied, "I'll apologize."

His expression relaxed into a satisfied smile, while despair overwhelmed me.

The next morning, Zach pulled me to the neighboring villa.

Vicky greeted us in her nightwear, her eyes gleaming with joy.

Zach pushed my head down, forcing me to bow.

"Apologize to her," he commanded coldly.

Swallowing my pride and holding back tears, I said, "I'm sorry."

Vicky put an arm around my shoulders with fake kindness.

"It's not a big deal," she said sweetly.

But as soon as Zach turned away, she leaned in and whispered,

"Little sister, didn't I tell you? You can't compete with me."

Her voice was filled with malice as she added,

"I've only been back a few days, and Zach's already given me a villa right next door—just so we can be closer together."