T-3 Days to Farewell

Three days ago, I almost died.

A birthday cake was needed for my sister, Rosa Esposito's birthday, so my dad told me to pick it up. He claimed that this was my way of making it up to Rosa for accidentally spilling coffee onto her new dress.

When I was cornered in an alley by the thugs, I was in the middle of sending Rosa an apology text. They covered my mouth and dragged me into a van.

That was when I heard them say, "Yup, that's her alright. That's the bitch named Rosa Esposito."

I shook my head, trying to explain that I wasn't Rosa at all. But my name didn't matter at all when blows started raining down on me.

That was how I spent the next three days in living hell.

By the time I wake up in the hospital, my phone harbors a new family photo sent by Rosa. It features my dad, my older brother, Rafael Esposito, as well as my husband, Enzo Vitale. All three of them can be seen surrounding Rosa.

When I was in the middle of getting pinned on the ground while feeling blades slashing my skin, these people were celebrating Rosa's birthday happily with her.

Later on, Rosa smiles at my face. "Do you have any idea how much I hate that face of yours? I also hate how much better you are than me as well as the fact that everyone likes you more than me!

"That's why I've robbed all of their love from you… be it Dad, Rafael, or your husband! You, on the other hand, deserve to be alone till the day you die!"

At that moment, I've made three choices.

First, I forge a miscarriage report.

Next, I place a signed divorce agreement into a giftbox.

Finally, I dial the number of my mentor, Sofia Bianchi.

There, I agree to participate in a classified project research that will last for ten years without getting in contact with anyone. Since then, I, Valentina Esposito, have never existed in this world.

After the call ended, I stared at my phone for a long time.

Professor Sofia Bianchi had agreed to help me forge an abortion report.

My husband, Don Enzo Vitale, would never allow me to take his child away.

When I got home, I pushed the door open.

In the living room, my sister, Rosa Esposito, twirled in front of the mirror in a light purple chiffon dress. My papa, Luca Esposito, sat on the couch, watching her with a fond smile, while my brother, Rafael Esposito, snapped a few photos before stepping over to adjust the bow at the hem of her skirt.

I planned to quietly slip past the living room and head to my room.

"Valentina?"

Rosa spotted me first. A hint of amusement glinted in her eyes, tinged with provocation.

"You're back? Take a look at my dress. Isn't it pretty?"

I didn't respond.

Papa turned around, and the warmth in his eyes vanished completely.

"You still remember how to come home?"

A glass flew straight at me. I didn't react in time. It clipped my forehead, and warm blood trickled down.

He shouted, "I told you to help Rosa with her dress, and you ended up spilling coffee all over it! Do you even know it took six months to have that dress made?"

"That's because—"

"Enough!" he snapped, cutting me off. "You just can't stand seeing her happy."

Rafael let out a cold laugh. "Come on, Papa. What's the point of explaining anything to her? If it weren't for her, Mama would still be alive."

Guilt flooded my chest in an instant.

"Raf, I didn't—" I tried to explain.

"Don't call me that," he said without even glancing at me. "You caused Mama's death, and now you're even here to ruin Rosa's coming-of-age party too?"

Rosa walked over and grabbed my wrist. "Rafael, don't say that about her—"

"Stay out of this!" Papa roared.

He slammed his hand on the coffee table and stood up. "She's been willful and spoiled ever since she was young. She caused your mother's death, and now she's putting on an act just to get attention and ruin your birthday party!"

He turned to me in frustration. "How can you be so selfish?"

"I was kidnapped," I said in defense. "That night, I went to pick up the cake. Someone cornered me in an alley. They kept calling Rosa's name when they grabbed me. They locked me up for three days."

I pointed at the wounds on my body that hadn't healed yet. "I got all of these because they beat me up."

The living room fell silent for a moment, then Papa laughed.

He walked toward me. "Kidnapped? You're telling me you were kidnapped?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Then how are you standing here right now?" he asked. "Did your kidnappers kindly let you go? And you expect me to believe they were calling out Rosa's name? Are you trying to say you suffered in her place?"

"I'm telling the truth! I—"

Before I could finish, a slap cut me off.

I stumbled, nearly losing my balance. A burning pain spread across my cheek.

"The truth?" Papa hissed. "Valentina, do you think I'm an idiot?"

Rafael stepped forward, grabbed my shoulder, and pulled me up. "Get up. Apologize to Rosa."

I clenched my teeth. I hadn't done anything wrong. Why should I apologize?

"I said get up!"

Papa seized my arm and forced my face upward.

"Apologize to Rosa."

I met his gaze and said, "Everything I said is true."

He released me. The back of my head struck the floor hard. Everything went black.