It was after a month of her marriage that her father finally contacted her after two years.
Elise was to marry a wealthy businessman and heir to a conglomerate that preceded Ameratti. Everyone was gushing over her marriage and congratulating the happy couple. And Rosalie was expected to do the same.
Rosalie didn't care what others thought. She could finally see her father and the family whom she'd left behind—the same people who had abandoned her, albeit being discreet about it. Even she, who knew about this, chose to turn a blind eye to the truth.
Finally, she can return.
But on the day of Elise's wedding, Rosalie saw something she shouldn't.
Behind the slightly closed door were her stepmother and her husband. They were kissing. So fervently, they forgot to lock the door and didn't notice that Rosalie had entered.
Seeing her husband kiss another woman was one thing. But seeing him with the woman she had thought of as her mother was another matter. It was revolting.
As if it wasn't enough, they accused her of infidelity.
They drugged her and placed her in the room of Elise's groom. She was made to look like a slut intending to seduce her man.
Rosalie couldn't even lift her hand when the press started pouring into the room, holding their cameras in their hands. Flashes rained on her weak and unprotected body.
And the next thing she knew, Elise was sobbing on the floor. She kept telling everyone to get out and leave. But for the first time, no one listened to her.
They stayed as Rosalie was displayed like a piece of art in the museum. They mocked and insulted her. They laughed and looked at her with eyes filled with disgust.
Rosalie didn't know what had gone wrong. What did she ever do wrong?
And Elise's reply was...
"You did nothing wrong, sister. It's just... ants are meant to be stepped on, right?"
This whole time, Rosalie was nothing but an ant to them.
She's someone they can step on whenever and however they want.
Rosalie could still remember what she did after hearing Elise's words. She flew into a rage and pushed Elise.
In people's eyes, Rosalie was angry because her seduction plan failed. No one had heard of what Elise said or the satisfied smile that seemed on the verge of appearing on the corners of her lips.
In the end, Rosalie's reputation was smeared to the ground. The nation cursed her for being a homewrecker trying to ruin her sister's marriage. No, the fake heiress was trying to steal what belonged to the real one.
Having no one to save her, Rosalie was forcefully sent to the mental hospital. There, she was subjected to bullying and torture under the machinations of Emma and Elise.
As for her husband, he never came to find her.
He only came to see her when Elise got into an accident. They needed a kidney transplant.
Rosalie didn't want to donate her kidney. No, she never wants to do anything with any of them.
However, they chased after her until she was at the edge of a cliff behind the hospital.
"Rosalie, there's nowhere else for you to run."
"Come here."
"Don't you want to help your sister?"
"Don't you want to make the Ameratti family proud of you?"
"So, please…"
"Please, Rosalie…please die for our family."
***
SLAM!
Rosalie breathed in deeply. She calmed herself down and reminded herself that she was no longer in the past. She died and came back. There was no need for her to relive the pain and sadness that drove her to insanity.
But she couldn't help it.
Talking to Emma again reminded her of what had been done to her—to her heart and her pitiful soul.
All she wanted was affection that she could call her own. Not somebody's.
So, why does everyone have to get in her way?
The phone vibrated at the perfect time. Snapping out of her daze, Rosalie turned her head in the direction where she threw her phone out of anger.
Reluctantly, she picked it up and saw a message from her stepmother.
[Emma: Wear the dress I picked for you last week.]
Reading this, Rosalie turned to her closet. Several expensive dresses lined up in front of her. The colors were vibrant and exquisite. Each is a collection from a renowned and high-class brand meant to cater to the taste of the wealthy. No one would question the family's treatment of her after seeing this. But she knew this princess treatment would soon disappear as it was revealed that she was not a real Ameratti.
Rosalie skimmed through her dresses and her eyes finally landed on a burgundy dress tucked between her dresses in the corner. Halter neck style with a criss-cross design at the neckline, exposing the shoulders and the midriff, ruffled short skirt, and tight-fitting and flowing elements.
At a glance, it looked dramatic and avant-garde.
However, the shock and reprimand she received when she wore the dress in her previous life were still clear in her mind.
Her grandfather's face was filled with disappointment.
After it was revealed she was a fake heiress, social media came to torch her online, calling her derogatory names, and asking her whether she had mistaken a formal event for a club party.
In all honesty, Rosalie applauds Emma's creativity. Had it not been for her, would she have experienced a lot of her firsts?
A knock was heard from the door.
Without turning around, Rosalie called out, "Come in."
She saw Richard, Emma's younger brother, coming in unashamedly. He was followed by a maid who was trying to stop him.
Seeing her still not made up for the event, Richard's face crumpled into a disapproving look. "Why are you still not done?"
Ignoring the young man, Rosalie turned her attention to the maid and ordered, "Thow this out and burn it."
The maid looked up confusedly. She followed Rosalie's finger, which was pointing at something, and found a red dress lying on the marble floor.
"Yes, young miss." The maid did not know why Rosalie wanted to throw out the dress, but she followed her order without a word.
After the maid left, Rosalie looked at Richard through the mirror and gently raised her eyebrows. Her movements were fluid and elegant, like a flow of water.
Richard took in the sight of Rosalie in front of him. The satin-laced nightgown fitted her body so well that it was such a waste that she had it wrapped around her body. He had known this ever since he first met her, but Rosalie's appearance was the type that would break necks. Wherever she goes, people will inevitably follow her.
"Get out," Rosalie said, knowing full well that Richard was leering at her.
"What?"
"Don't 'what' me, Richard. Get out of my room."