Chapter 5
With the deafening screech of brakes, Valerie was thrown into the air.
For those few seconds she hung weightless, her world was a blur of confusion.
When her body finally hit the ground, she swore she heard the sickening crack of her bones breaking.
Then, everything went dark.
Valerie felt like she had had a dream. In the dream, she was transported back to the time when she and Fabian were still in love.
At that time, she had just gotten her driver’s license and was still shaky behind the wheel. Fabian sat beside her. He guided her hands to the wheel.
“Don’t worry, Val. Drive boldly. I’m right here with you.”
But just as quickly, the scene shifted. The person beside her vanished and was replaced by the version of him with bloodshot eyes as he floored the gas and sped straight toward her.
Valerie jolted awake with a start. Her forehead was drenched in sweat, and her back was soaked through.
It took a moment for her to realize she was in a hospital bed. Her chest burned with pain. Only when the nurse came to give her an injection did she learn that several of her ribs had been broken.
During her time in the hospital, Fabian never came to visit.
Valerie hadn’t expected him to, not with the way he hated her now.
When she was finally discharged, Fabian was busy preparing for his wedding with Sasha. He insisted that Valerie be involved in every detail because he wanted her to watch as he married another woman.
He wanted her to witness everything that had once been hers slip away and land in someone else’s hands.
Valerie didn’t refuse. She followed quietly behind him and Sasha, watching as he helped her choose a wedding dress, took photos for their wedding album, and finalized the venue.
It was a path she had walked before, but this time, the role of the bride was no longer hers.
On the anniversary of Amelia’s death, Valerie bought flowers early in the morning and went to pay her respects.
Sitting by the gravestone, she rested her head on the cold stone and gazed at the gentle, kind face in the photo.
Then, she murmured, “Mrs. Porter, are you doing okay over there? Do you feel lonely? I remember how much you liked me when you were alive. You always said I was just like your daughter.
“Honestly, you were like a mother to me too. Don’t worry. I’ll be there soon to keep you company.”
Before Amelia’s death, they had been very close.
Valerie, who had lost her own mother at a young age, had found the maternal love she lacked in Amelia.
They were about to become a real family, but fate had a different plan. In the end, their bond was cut short.
She was lost in thought when she suddenly heard a familiar voice. She looked up and saw Fabian and Matthew approaching to pay their respects.
The moment Matthew saw her, his face twisted in fury. “You damn woman! Who gave you the right to be here? How dare you show your face?”
Without waiting for an answer, he stormed up to Valerie and shoved her hard.
As she was still weak from the accident, Valerie had no strength to resist. She stumbled and fell heavily against the gravestone. Her head hit it with a sickening thud.
Blood began to trickle down her face. But she just pressed her hand to the wound without saying a word.
Matthew’s anger didn’t fade in the slightest despite her injury. He cursed relentlessly, “You bitch! You don’t deserve to be here! You’re a murderer! You’re the one who should die!
“What did our family ever do to you? Fabian loved you so much, and Amelia treated you like her own daughter. Why did you have to kill her?”
By the end of his rant, his voice was cracking, and he could barely hold back tears.
Valerie’s face was pale, yet she remained silent and motionless on the ground.
