I hastily hung up the phone, tuning only to collide with those eyes that once drowned me, now filling me with noth- ing but revulsion.
He’d clearly just returned from Samantha’s bed, hair disheveled, a fresh scratch peeking beneath his collar.
His gaze lingered on the marks at my neck, brows furrowing as complex emotions churned in his eyes.
Something like concern, guilt, but mostly emotions I couldn’t decipher.
“Donna, does it hurt?
You… you’ve suffered…”
His voice was deliberately softened, dripping with condescending pity.
“Did David… hurt you?”
I jerked my hand away. Mistaking my disgust for petulance, he tried to embrace me.
The nauseating scent clinging to him made me recoil instantly.
He stumbled forward, disbelief washing over his face.
Yet he sighed, offering a weary apology.
“I’m sorry, Donna. I just feared for your sister. You know it’s not her first time… and she can’t conceive any
I refused to endure his vile words, turning toward the house.
But he seized my arm urgently.
Frowning, his tone sharpened, impatience radiating from him.
“Donna, what are you trying to do?
Slipping out now risks everything.”
“Please, I’m begging you. Return to Carter Manor, alright?”
“I had no choice. Outsiders can’t be trusted. Only you look identical to Samantha. The Carters won’t suspect a thing. Be good. Don’t make a scene. Go back. We’ll settle everything after she’s pregnant.”
He pulled me into another embrace, feigning remorse.
“Donna, Samantha’s your only family left. As her elder sister, be reasonable. Think of her needs, won’t you?”
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His second embrace–again, for Samantha’s sake.
How deeply he cherished my sister.
Very well. I’d grant them their wish.
Clenching my fist, I spoke numbly.
“Edward, spare your words. I’ll yield everything she desires.”
Relief washed over Edward, mistaking my surrender for compliance.
“Donna, I’m glad you understand.”
“It’s raining. Go bathe and change into Samantha’s clothes. I’ll take you to Carter Manor when I return.”
“Samantha craves Sweet Sticky Rice Cake from the east side. I’ll fetch it for her now.”
He walked away without a backward glance.
Lightning tore through the thunderous night as my heart shattered anew.
Memories surfaced–me hospitalized with stomach pain, begging him for congee.
He’d refused without hesitation.
“Donna, don’t be difficult. It’s pouring. Order takeout.”
“I won’t step out in this storm.”
Turns out, he wasn’t unwilling to brave the rain.
He simply reserved such devotion for someone else.
“My dear sister, seems my husband lacks finesse with women. He’s treated you rather rough.”
“Sister, it’s cold out. Won’t you come inside?”
Samantha’s gentle concern washed over me, sending an uncontrollable shudder through my body.
Samantha was her usual self, all innocence and naivety.
She still wore Edward’s pajamas, acting like she owned the place and playing the leading lady to perfection
I ignored her, heading straight to the master bedroom for my documents.
But Samantha followed me. Right in front of me, she stripped off her clothes, smiling sweetly.
“Look, Donna, your husband is so wicked! He fvcked me all night long.”
“Donna, weren’t you born just to be my shadow?
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Mom and Dad love me, Edward loves me–only that old bastard ever cherished you.”
“And guess what? He’s dead now. You’re just a pathetic nobody.”
“Shut up! Don’t you dare insult Grandpa!”
My voice shook with rage as I snapped at her.
Samantha only smirked, pulling Grandpa’s family heirloom pendant from the nightstand.
“Oh, this is that junk he left you, right? Pretty color. Too bad it belonged to a corpse. Let me smash it for you!”
Before I could react, she hurled the pendant with all her might onto the marble floor.
“No!!”
My vision blurred as my heart shattered like glass.
That was the last thing left to me from Grandpa, the only person in this world who truly cared for and loved me!
But I was too late.
I watched helplessly as the pendant shattered into pieces.
“Samantha, what did I ever do to you? Why torture me like this?”
I roared, years of pain, fury, and despair exploding at once.
She responded me with a vicious slap, triumph blazing in her eyes.
“You stole the title of eldest Rodriguez daughter. Why should I be ‘the second“?”
“Donna, I’ll crush you beneath my heel and destroy everything you hold dear…”
All over something so petty.
Just as I lunged for her throat, someone yanked me backward, slamming me onto the floor.
Shards of the pendant sliced deep into my palms.
Edward rushed in, shielding Samantha while glaring at me with disgust.
“What’s wrong with you, Donna? It’s just a damn pendant! Was that necessary?”
Samantha instantly transformed into a poor little flower act, sobbing hysterically.
“Victor! Save me! She’s gone mad! She tried to kill me!”
He didn’t even glance my way, scooping her into his arms like precious cargo.
“Don’t worry, Samantha. I’ve got you.”
Holding her close, his voice turned cold as ice.
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“Donna, get out. Go to the Carters. Don’t come back until you’re pregnant.”
He walked out with Samantha, ignoring my bleeding hands.
But my heart didn’t ache for him anymore.
I wiped my tears, gathered the pendant fragments and my documents, and left.
That night, I immediately contacted a lawyer to handle the divorce.
But at dawn, I received an answer I couldn’t believe.
Attorney Chen spoke hesitantly over the phone.
“Ms. Donna, I regret to inform you I cannot take your case.”
“Your marriage certificate bears a counterfeit official stamp. Legally, your three–year marriage to Mr. Clark never ex- isted.”
I protested in disbelief.
“No, impossible! He personally accompanied me to the Civil Registry three years ago!”
A sigh came through the line, laced with pity.
“My investigation confirms you’re legally single. Mr. Clark’s lawful wife is your sister, Samantha Rodrig
En route to the airport, Edward’s message flashed on my phone.
“Donna, come home after dealing with David. It’s your birthday.”
I muted his notifications with a bitter smile.
How pathetic–lowering himself just to keep me as Donna’s substitute.
His call came as I swallowed emergency contraception at the airport.
He rarely phoned, yet today he persisted relentlessly.
I watched the viral video: him at an auction with Samantha dressed as me, placing unlimited bids.
“Why call me?” I answered, curious what excuses remained.
“Donna, playing hard to get now?” His voice dripped contempt.
Exhaustion washed over me.
“If that’s what you think.”
My calm reply shattered his composure. Smashing sounds erupted.
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“Enough games!” he suddenly shouted.
“Apologize to Samantha tonight–consider it your birthday gift for last night’s mess.”
The line went dead.
So that was it–an apology demand.
I summoned a courier, yanked off the gaudy diamond ring, and handed it over with the lawyer’s evidence.
Unbeknownst to me, Edward’s panicked assistant Wayne arrived alongside the courier.
“Mr. Clark! Emergency!”
“David Carter just announced he’s pursuing our Mrs. Clark at his press conference!”
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