After Eight Years As A Stand-In, I Made Them All Pay

Synopsis

The poor student, Vivian Gale, who Charlotte Wynn's family sponsored, moved into Charlotte's home right after her mom, Andrea Wynn, died. By then, Vivian was seven months pregnant. Charlotte's dad, Richard Wynn, was grinning from ear to ear as he wrapped his arm around Vivian. Charlotte was so angry that she stormed out of the house. With nowhere else to go, Henry Pierce took her in. He said he loved her, and to prove it, he gave up his guaranteed spot in grad school and followed her to St. Andrews University. Henry proposed to Charlotte with numerous love letters and four years' worth of train tickets. Everyone said Henry loved Charlotte to his very core. That was until yesterday, when the earthquake struck. Henry was seen frantically protecting a woman whose clothes were in disarray as they fled the building. The two of them, barely dressed, ended up captured on someone's phone. And that woman was Vivian, the same poor student who had moved in as Charlotte's stepmom. Outside the temporary shelter after the earthquake, Charlotte was about to go in when she heard Vivian's muffled, miserable sobs coming from inside. Vivian said, "If your family hadn't thought I was too old for you back then, I wouldn't have had to hide out overseas... and you wouldn't have ended up with Charlotte, making her take my place for eight years. "Henry, we missed our chance. Now I'm Mrs. Wynn. If we keep getting tangled up like this, it won't do anyone any good, especially Charlotte." Henry let out a cold laugh. He said, "Vivian, if you say yes, I can swap out the person next to me anytime. I'm asking you again; do you want to be my lover or just a friend?" Vivian said, "Let's just be friends." Henry snapped, "Alright, perfect. Vivian, you're cold. From now on, if I glance your way, I'll be nothing but a fool." Charlotte's ears rang with a deafening crash; her mind went completely blank. That last shred of wishful thinking she had been holding onto was shattered completely by those words. Before she came here, she even tried to convince herself the video was fake, or maybe Henry just happened to be there, barely dressed by pure coincidence. But reality hit her hard. Vivian was his first love, who suddenly left the country, the girl he could never let go of. Turned out, for the past eight years, she had only ever been a substitute for Vivian. No wonder that when they ran into each other last night, Henry, usually so composed, was so rattled he even forgot to drink his water when their eyes met. Henry never laid a finger on Charlotte before, always claiming he treasured her and wanted to wait until after they were married. But the very first night he saw Vivian again, he couldn't help but jump into bed with her. Charlotte stood outside, gripping her umbrella, a dull ache throbbing in her chest. Just yesterday, Henry was holding her hand, talking about their wedding plans. But today, he destroyed all her dignity and hopes with the cruelest reality. Eight years of love meant nothing compared to a single glimpse of his first love. Charlotte couldn't help but feel utterly pathetic and foolish. "Charlotte," Henry called out. Hearing movement outside, Henry suddenly rushed out and pulled Charlotte forcefully into his arms, crushing her against his chest. He said, "During the earthquake, all I could think about was you. I was terrified I might never see you again, scared of what would happen if I left you all alone." Henry held Charlotte so tightly that his whole body trembled, his voice quivering with raw emotion. But his face stayed turned toward the shelter, his expression tense, barely holding back anger and resentment. His gaze lingered on Vivian, who was curled up in the corner, shivering under her blanket. Vivian called out, "Henry..." Vivian looked toward them, calling out softly, her voice full of sorrow. Henry's breath hitched, but he forced himself not to turn around. Henry said, "Tomorrow, I'll take you to pick out your wedding dress and jewelry. Anything you want, I'll make sure you get it." Charlotte let him lead her away, tasting nothing but bitterness. Why did it have to be Vivian? Vivian was the one her mother took in and ended up causing her mom's death, and then forced her way into the Wynn family, pregnant and all. Henry knew there was bad blood between Vivian and her. So why, right after proposing, did he have to cheat on her with Vivian? Hadn't she given him everything these past eight years? Was all their time together just a performance to him? But when Charlotte looked up, she saw Vivian trailing after them, looking heartbreakingly fragile as she called out, "Henry..." Henry still didn't answer, his back rigid as stone. It wasn't until Vivian grabbed his shirt again, crying her eyes out, that Henry finally snapped and shouted at her. He said, "Get out of here. Can't you see my wife is standing right here? Do you really think just crying will make me... us feel sorry for you? "Think about everything you've done. What makes you think saying sorry is enough to make it all okay?" Charlotte felt like something was stuck in her throat; suddenly, she couldn't get a single word out. Every line out of his mouth sounded like Henry was sticking up for her, but it all felt like an act. Henry betrayed her without a second thought, then left her standing there, feeling humiliated and completely sidelined. It was as if they were the real couple, just having a messy fight. All Charlotte could do was stand there and watch them wrapped up in their drama, unable to even get a word in.