Chapter 2
1401 Words
The Volkov Hotel, as its name suggests, is the tallest tower in Manhattan and is owned by the Volkov clan. The top floor of the tower, known as the most exclusive place in the city tonight, is the main focus of public attention. The news and social media are abuzz with reports of Volkov Corp's anniversary, which is set to be the biggest party of the year.
Brella, of course, became the center of attention when she stepped into the ballroom. The blue evening gown she wore perfectly accentuated the beauty of her curves. Her beauty was extraordinarily captivating.
The Black Empress... the legendary jewelry of the Volkov clan, reserved for the heir's wife, circled her neck beautifully. However, insults accompanied her every step.
"Look at her, still daring to show her face after the scandal with Xavier."
"What an ignorant wife. She's just a parasite on the Volkov clan."
"Why doesn't the Volkov clan just kick her out? She doesn't deserve the title of Mrs. Volkov!"
Each insult echoed in Brella's ears. She did not respond. With her head held high, she walked towards the bar.
Her fingers, wrapped in silk gloves, reached for a glass of Château Margaux. Before Brella could take a sip of her drink, her movement stopped for a moment when her gaze met the cold stare of William, who was walking into the hall.
The man was extraordinarily handsome. His sturdy body was clad in a charcoal suit specially designed for him, matching the color of the dress worn by the beautiful woman holding his hand, Arischa. The woman gave Brella a gentle smile, but Brella clearly caught the mockery in Arischa's eyes.
The two stopped right in front of Brella. Brella stared at her husband's face with a suppressed sneer because William was deliberately showing his affection for Arischa in front of her.
But then Brella realized that William had not been looking at her face, but at her neck.
Brella touched the heirloom necklace around her neck, her eyes glancing at Arischa followed by a subtle smile on her lips. The necklace affirmed her identity as Mrs. Volkov and William's lawful wife.
"Take off the necklace, Brella," William said in a low voice. His face contorted in disgust at the sight of the necklace around Brella's neck. "That jewelry... is not for a traitor like you."
William's words made Brella instinctively grip the glass in her hand tightly. The smile on her lips instantly stiffened.
"Are you kidding? This jewelry is the wedding gift that you yourself gave me when—"
"Stop talking about that ridiculous marriage. We're getting divorced soon," William cut her off flatly.
William's words were greeted by mocking laughter nearby. It came from Merry Volkov, Brella's mother-in-law. The woman in the red dress stepped in front of Brella.
"Your father sold you to us, Brella. The will you've been guarding was just bait to get you to hand yourself over. You are a burden your father forced us to bear," Merry's words were sharp, followed by laughter from the surrounding guests.
This revelation hit Brella like a punch to the chest. The will was her father's last request, something she had protected for two years... but it was all a lie?
Brella grit her teeth as she looked around, finding that almost all the guests were staring at her with contempt.
"Take it off yourself, or I'll rip it off your neck by force," William said, his face expressionless.
Brella nearly exploded with rage, but she immediately swallowed her anger whole, then downed the wine in her glass until it was empty.
Brella closed her eyes for a moment, feeling a burning sensation in her throat that spread throughout her body. After placing the glass on the table, her hand reached for her neck to remove the necklace.
The corners of Brella's eyes trembled as she finally handed the necklace to William.
Brella felt her chest tighten as she watched the man put the necklace that had been her identity around Arischa's neck. Even more ridiculous, she heard her mother-in-law applaud, followed by the guests in the hall, as if they were celebrating the destruction of her pride.
Arischa and William exchanged smiles, while Brella stood stiffly, feeling exposed before hundreds of eyes staring at her like a pathetic joke...
Whispers from the guests filled the room, branding her a traitor, a cheating wife, and a burden to the Volkov family.
Those words... those judgmental stares, and that applause carved wounds all over her body. She looked at William and Arischa with a cold stare, then one corner of her lips curled into a thin, bitter smile.
***
- Powder Room -
Brella stared at her reflection in the mirror for a long time. Her usually sharp gaze now looked empty. Her shoulders slumped. Her hands gripped the edge of the sink, pressing against the cold surface so hard that her nails turned white.
"Father, am I nothing more than collateral for your debt?" Her lips trembled as she struggled to breathe. Her eyes flashed with a dark, hollow disappointment.
Brella had believed the will was merely a marriage agreement and a transfer of asset management.
She remembered how she had signed it without question, solely to fulfill the wishes of the father she deeply respected. But what Brella hadn't known was that she had been used as a guarantee for his debts.
Even her mother's inheritance had been dragged into the agreement, neatly and legally transferred to William from the very beginning.
She bowed her head, taking a shallow breath. Her throat felt parched. She felt like vomiting, but her body refused to react.
The creaking of the door broke her train of thought, followed by the sound of heavy, deliberate footsteps.
Brella slowly raised her head. Her gaze sharpened as she caught the reflection of another person in the mirror, Arischa.
"You look so pitiful, my dear sister," Arischa’s voice flowed softly, a mocking smirk playing on her lips.
Brella clenched her jaw and turned to face Arischa fully.
But before Brella could respond to the taunt, Arischa quickly unfastened the necklace. She deliberately dropped it onto the floor, then ground the heel of her shoe into the diamonds, pressing down with pure contempt.
"Arischa, stop it," Brella growled lowly. Her eyes were clouded with pent-up rage.
Arischa, however, only curled her lips into a cynical smile. She stepped on the necklace even harder, deliberately provoking Brella’s anger.
"Still thinking about Father's will? Do you know what he said to me before he died? He said you were the last burden he had to discard so I could live in peace. He also said that he only had one daughter—and that was me!"
Brella fell silent again. Her lips felt paralyzed, unable to respond to Arischa's words. So she was just a burden to be discarded? For Arischa's sake? Those words spun in her head, shaking her until her chest felt suffocatingly tight.
"That will is your letter of dismissal, Brella. You are nothing but collateral for a debt," Arischa said sharply once more.
Arischa's smile widened as she watched Brella, who was now gasping for air—struggling, as she always had trouble breathing when panic took hold.
"Get out," Brella's voice was barely audible.
"Oh, I'll leave. William is waiting for me to dance," Arischa chuckled.
After throwing her a mocking glance, Arischa walked away, leaving Brella standing stiffly, trying to stabilize her breathing. Meanwhile, her fingers, which had been supporting her weight against the sink, fell limply to her sides.
"William knows. William knows my father sold me. So all this time... I've just been a joke to them all?" she whispered softly.
With a sorrowful look, Brella glanced at the dirty necklace on the floor. The object she once considered a symbol of her status now looked like trash in her eyes.
A single tear finally fell. The next moment, she roughly wiped it away, for Brella hated tears. Soon, the sadness in her eyes faded, replaced by a dark, vengeful glare.
- Writer
