Valerie stared at the flashing incoming call on her phone, her gaze growing darker with each passing second. After a long pause, she finally praceof if answer button and said, “Hello?”
“Valerie?”
It was Everett’s voice, her father’s voice–so familiar it sent a shiver down her spine.
Valerie’s hand tightened around the phone.
At thirteen, when she was taken out of the harsh orphanage, the first person she saw was Everett,
With a gentle smile, he knelt before her and said, “Hello, Valerie. From now on, I’ll be your father.”
Little Valerie, timid and uncertain, had called him “Dad” for the first time.
Later, he gave her a life of luxury and love, sincere, heartfelt affection that lasted for a long time.
For a long time, she felt like a princess, living in a fairytale.
But then Valentina returned.
Valerie instinctively closed her eyes, her thoughts trailing off. After a long moment, she opened her eyes and called out the long–lost name,
Everett responded with a nod and said, “There’s a birthday party at home in a few days. You know about it, right?”
Valerie’s lips curled into a sarcastic smile. “I know.”
How could she not?
That party had been the nightmare of her entire life.
In her past life, Everett had called her too, with the same request: to bring Aiden along.
After all, Aiden’s reputation was monumental, and many admired him.
But Aiden was a mystery to the public. He rarely attended social gatherings, especially not to support anyone.
If he came, just showing up and being present would elevate the Clark family’s status considerably.
Sure enough, Everett continued, “You haven’t come back since you got married. This time, bring Aiden with you.”
Valerie forced a bitter laugh. “I’ve been back.”
Everett frowned. “What?”
“I’ve been back. But I couldn’t even get in the door,” Valerie said softly, “You didn’t know, did you?”
Everett’s frown deepened, his voice growing cold. When did this happen?”
“Dad.”
“On the third day after I married Aiden,” Valerie looked into the mirror, her lips curling into a sad smile. Her heart twisted with an almost unbearable pain. “That was the traditional day for a bride to return home. But back then, you took Valentina on a trip, didn’t you?”
Everett cleared his throat, a slight hesitation in his voice. “Oh, it was that time… You know, Valentina suffered a lot when she was kidnapped as a child. She’s always been so sensible, never asking for much. I couldn’t say no when she asked for this one thing.”
“Ah, so that’s it,” Valerie murmured, her voice a quiet echo of hurt. “How funny. That was the third day after I took her place at the altar.”
Chapter 45
Everett’s displeasure was obvious. “Are you blaming me?”
Valerie pressed her lips into a thin smile. “I have no right.”
Everett’s anger flared, and a nameless fire burned inside him. “Anyway, on the day of the birthday party, bring Alden along
“Do you think I can?” Valerie asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Not to mention that Aiden has been on a business trip in Aprealand, even if he weren’t, what makes you think I could persuade him?”
Everett was momentarily silenced, caught off guard by her words. After a pause, he muttered, “Just do your best, Valerie. It’s an important day, so make sure you look nice.”
The call ended abruptly.
Valerie smirked bitterly.
Yes, it was important.
On the surface, it was a birthday party for Everett, but in reality, it was a ceremony to present Valentina to high society.
In her previous life, she hadn’t dared mention that Aiden was in Aprealand. She had simply agreed, telling herself she’d try her best.
She immediately called Aiden and confirmed that he wouldn’t be able to make it.
So, Valerie had to go alone. The moment she entered, Valentina, with Micah by her side, humiliated her. And at the banquet, Valerie thought that, even if she was married now, the Clark family should still have a place for her.
But when she walked in, she discovered she was seated with the guests, completely excluded from the Clark family. Valerie’s heart shattered, and she could barely maintain her smile.
Meanwhile, Valentina deliberately brought friends to flaunt her power in front of Valerie. “Valerie, I’m sorry, I told Dad and Mom to prepare a place for you, but they said it’s just a seat, and you wouldn’t mind, right? After all, you’re still their adopted daughter. Surely they still have a place for you in their hearts. Don’t be upset.”
At that moment, Valerie’s heart felt like it was being ripped apart, but in front of so many people, she forced herself to smile.
Then, a group of relatives, having heard she had married a wealthy man, approached her, asking for favors.
Valerie and Aiden hadn’t even shared a conversation–let alone any feelings–and Valerie both feared and despised him. How could she possibly agree to do favors for these relatives and ask Aiden for help?
When those relatives were refused, they began mocking Valerie, and one female relative slapped her across the face in front of everyone.
Valerie’s face swelled, and she collapsed from her chair, looking utterly humiliated,
Everyone saw her misfortune, pointing fingers and laughing, but no one offered to help. Some even chuckled.
Everett soon noticed the commotion, but merely said, “Enough, if you’re going to argue, do it outside.”
Tears flooded Valerie’s eyes.
Not because of the slap, but because of the cold indifference of the father who had once loved her like a treasure.
She could have borne the loneliness, but this family–this family that once treated her like a princess–had abandoned her.
Juliette quickly took her to the hotel garden, As Valerie cried uncontrollably, Nelson appeared, like a light breaking through her darkness.
He pulled her into his arms, offering comfort.
13:37 Wed, 4 Jun
Chapter 45
But the next moment, a crowd of people swarmed in.
Juliette had secretly coordinated with Aiden and brought them all to “catch her in the act.”
Valentina, at the banquet, had also brought many guests to watch.
Everyone pointed fingers, accusing her of being promiscuous, calling her names.
No matter how she tried to explain, they only continued to insult her, calling her “cheap, cheap, cheap.”
Aiden had just returned from Aprealand, exhausted and dusty. His face was ashen with fury as he coldly ordered, “Break Nelson’s legs.”
Valerie, a mess of tears, even knelt before Aiden, begging him to spare Nelson, but Aiden remained unmoved.
ра
In her desperation, Valerie, with nothing left to lose, shouted out the truth before all the onlookers: The Clark family had exchanged roles, and it should have been Valentina marrying Aiden. Valerie had only been a stand–in.
