Chapter 3

Camilla shot Anna a look full of hatred. If she could, she would've torn Anna apart right then and there.

"Do you even know how much I hate you?" she spat. "If Mom and Dad hadn't taken the wrong baby home, I wouldn't have been stuck living with those nobodies in a small town for more than twenty years. If they hadn't told me the truth before they died, I'd never have known that you stole my whole life."

"But I was just a clueless kid back then. What did I ever do to deserve this?" Anna asked weakly.

When everyone found out she'd been swapped at birth, the blame fell squarely on her. People pointed fingers, saying she had stolen Camilla's life.

But she didn't think it was fair. She'd never had a choice. She'd been just a baby—barely a month old. There was nothing she could've done.

"When the truth came out, you should've just disappeared," Camilla snapped. "Why did you have to cling to Ethan like some shameless parasite?"

Hearing that, Anna fell silent.

By the time she learned who she really was, she'd ended up in Ethan's bed the night before. It was already too late to change anything.

At first, she held onto hope. She thought maybe Ethan realized his feelings for her after knowing her true identity, and that was why he kept having sex with her.

But as time passed, she finally understood. He wasn't keeping her close out of love. He was punishing her for living the life that should've been Camilla's.

"You're right," Anna said quietly. "I should've left. But don't worry. I'm not desperate enough to come between you two. I won't be here much longer anyway."

A loud slap echoed through the fitting room, sharp and sudden.

Camilla sneered. "You think I'll believe that? It doesn't matter. I'll make sure Ethan hates you so much he can't even stand to look at you."

Then, as if out of nowhere, Camilla grabbed a pair of scissors. Before Anna could react, she started slashing the wedding dress to pieces wildly.

She didn't stop until the gown was ruined beyond repair. Then she threw the scissors down and fell to the floor.

She yelled, "No, Ann, please. Don't do it. I'm sorry, okay? I'll leave Ethan. Just don't destroy the dress. Please!"

Anna froze, completely lost. That was when Ethan burst through the door after hearing the noise.

Then he saw Camilla on the floor, her wedding dress torn, blood seeping from fresh cuts, while Anna stood in front of her, looking confused and flustered.

To anyone walking in, it looked exactly like Anna was the villain.

Ethan rushed to Camilla's side, pulling her into his arms and checking her over with concern. "Camilla, are you hurt? Wh-What happened here?"

Camilla trembled in his embrace, looking at Anna. Between shaky sobs, she said, "I-I only said a few things to Ann about how you designed the dress, and she got mad instantly. She grabbed the scissors and started cutting the dress. I begged her to stop, but she wouldn't. Ethan, I know I've made mistakes with Ann, but I never thought she'd go this far."

Ethan turned to Anna, fury flashing in his eyes. "Anna! How could you do something like this?"

Accused by Ethan, Anna staggered back a step, her eyes bloodshot, but she stubbornly held back any tears.

"No... I swear I didn't—" she said.

Before she could finish, Ethan stepped forward and slapped her hard.

The force sent her crashing to the floor.

"Apologize to Camilla right now, or I swear you'll regret it," he barked.

Anna covered her face, her eyes filled with disappointment as she looked up to meet Ethan's gaze. With a quiet sigh, her tears began to fall.

She knew what Ethan was capable of. If she didn't give in, she might not even make it out of the bridal shop today.

Besides, she'd be gone soon anyway. There was no point in fighting.

Anna straightened up and bowed deeply toward Camilla. "I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I truly apologize. Mr. Greco, can I go now?"

"You think it's that easy? Then—" Ethan sneered.

"What more do you want from me? I'm apologizing for something I didn't even do! Ethan, what else do you want?" Anna's frustration finally boiled over as she screamed. She'd given in again and again, just wanting to catch a break, but they were never willing to let her off the hook.

Her outburst left Ethan momentarily stunned.

Looking at the stubborn expression on Anna's face, Ethan was reminded of her parents' funeral sixteen years ago. Back then, ten-year-old Anna looked up at him with the same fierce determination in her eyes.

It was only when he told her he'd come to take her away that her tough little expression finally softened.

The memories of the past flooded back, and Ethan's brow furrowed in irritation. He turned around and said with disgust, "Leave. Don't ever show up in front of Camilla again."

"Fine," Anna said simply. Then she turned to leave.

She got out of the bridal shop in silence and found a secluded corner to sit, where she quietly wiped away her tears.

Still, she reminded herself that it would all be over soon. Even if what came next was chaos and pain, at least she'd be free.