Chapter 3

From composition to endless rehearsals, I had played that piece thousands of times. I had dreamed of sitting under the spotlight, my hands dancing across the keys.

It was an opportunity I had fought tooth and nail to earn. My mentor and all the friends who had cheered me on were waiting for this day.

"Let me go... I need to perform. I spent two years preparing for this tour! My mentor bought front-row tickets just to watch her proudest student play!"

My lower body had no feeling. Gritting my teeth, I dragged myself toward the edge of the bed. Blinding agony shot through my shattered fingers.

Julian’s expression darkened imperceptibly. The hand that had reached out to support me suddenly clamped around my ankle, dragging me downward with violent force.

Losing my balance, I crashed hard onto the cold tile floor. Blood began to seep from my scraped knees, but as I stared at the red smear on the floor, I couldn't feel a thing from the waist down.

"Tia, stop throwing tantrums."

Julian scooped me up effortlessly, setting me back on the mattress, and pressed the call button with chilling calm.

"Dad is at the concert hall right now. I’ll have him stream it for you."

The private suite was equipped with a large wall monitor.

The screen lit up to show Chloe dressed in a custom designer gown, seated beside the maestro, performing the very composition I had written note by note.

"This piece is remarkably vibrant—both sophisticated and brimming with deep warmth," the interviewer praised. "Ms. Reed, what inspired you to write such a stunning melody?"

"My inspiration came from my mother," Chloe said smoothly. "When she worked out in the countryside, she loved humming old folk melodies. She was the one who nurtured my musical dreams."

Faced with the master’s glowing praise, Chloe spoke with poise, and the hall erupted into thunderous applause.

"Now that is a true Vance daughter," Dad’s booming, authoritative voice rang out over the speakers, cutting through the silence.

"Not like that shameless imposter who caused a humiliating scandal right before the show!"

Someone nearby couldn't resist chiming in:

"Are you talking about your other daughter, Tia?"

"Who else? Claimed she was missing from her own wedding rehearsals, only to be found in bed with seven men! Disgusting slut."

Dad knew the phone call was still connected to my hospital room, yet he made no effort to silence the filthy remarks.

The camera zoomed back in on Chloe on stage. Under the brilliant lights, she looked radiant, like a star hanging high in the night sky.

A star that was supposed to be me.

"Let’s turn it off," Julian sighed softly, wrapping an arm around my waist to pull me into his chest.

"You know Dad despises deception. You lived as a living lie beside him for twenty years. You can't expect him to give you an ounce of sympathy."

I pushed against his chest, his hot, heavy breath brushing against my ear.

【Kiss her, Julian! Tell her she only has you now!】

【Ahhh, I’m screaming! Pin her down already!】

【Poor girl, rejected by the whole family. Just accept your fate and be his pet.】

It was sickening.

A surge of bile rose from my stomach. Summoning every ounce of strength left in my body, I shoved Julian away and leaned over the side of the bed, vomiting violently.

I heaved until bitter yellow bile spilled onto the floor, my chest wracked by violent coughing.

"Tia... do I disgust you that much?"

Julian’s face looked drained of all color, like a faded painting. His dark eyes drilled into me with a manic intensity that sent a chill straight down my spine—the exact look those men had given me in that dark room.

For the first time, I felt pure, unadulterated terror toward him.

My stomach was still cramping. Using my elbows, I dragged myself backward on the bed. With every inch I retreated, Julian took a heavy step forward until my back hit the headboard.

"It’s because of Nathan, isn't it?"

"Because you’re so in love with him, you’re saving yourself for him? You won't even let me hold you?"

【What an ungrateful brat! Julian treats her like a queen, and she’s still pining after another man!】

【She deserves to be locked up.】

【She’s used goods now anyway. Who does she think she is? She doesn't deserve Nathan!】

"No..."

I forced my trembling lips into a weak, submissive smile.

"I’m just... not feeling well. Julian, can you help me up?"

"The doctors are watching from the hallway. I don't want to stay on the floor like this."

The door was slightly ajar. Julian glanced back at the medical staff who were too terrified to step inside. His jaw clenched as he scooped me up and tossed me roughly back onto the bed.

There was clear, punitive violence in his movements. Before turning away, he pinched my cheek hard enough to bruise.

"Since you're so unwell, you can skip dinner tonight. Wouldn't want to waste good food on you."

He stormed out in a fury. The moment the door clicked shut, my fragile smile vanished. I slipped my hand beneath the pillow.

When he had held me, I had quietly lifted his phone from his pocket. My trembling, broken fingers tapped open the message thread with Nathan.

There were nearly fifty unread messages from him, all demanding to know why I had missed our wedding ceremony.

Among all the suitors Dad had lined up for business alliances, Nathan had always been the gentlest. Even after my real identity was exposed, he had insisted on going through with our marriage.

Right now, he was my only lifeline.

We need to meet.