Chapter 12 The quiet hum of the sewing machine was comforting, like a rhythm that matched my heart's newfound peace. I was sitting by the window of my little shop surrounded by sketches, fabrics, and sunlight that poured like gold over everything. My hands moved with purpose, stitching the final seam on a soft blue dress designed for the window display. "Miss Taylor, the delivery truck just dropped off the new rolls of satin!" Mia, one of the assistants, peeked in through the door with a bright smile. "Perfect," I replied, snipping the last thread. "Can you double-check the inventory list and let me know if we're missing anything?" "Yes, ma'am!" she chirped and disappeared again with a clipboard in hand. I stood and walked toward the front, smoothing out the dress over the mannequin. The scent of fresh paint still lingered in the air, mingling with the soft floral air fresheners we'd placed in the corners. Mannequins stood proudly by the window, dressed in pieces that had once lived only in my dreams. Now, they were real. Tangible. Mine. Scott had done everything-renovating the place, helping me get permits, hiring staff. But more :han that, he had believed in me. From the very beginning. 'Careful, your thread's running off the edge," came his voice, teasing and gentle. glanced up and smiled as he walked in, holding two cups of coffee. "You're late," I said playfully 'I was getting these," he replied, handing one to me. "And also… I've been digging intc something." That made me pause. "Something?" Scott sat across from me, his expression shifting to something more serious. "Vanessa." The name alone was enough to dim the light in the room. 'I had a feeling she was hiding something," he said. "So I asked an old contact to help me look nto her background… hospital records, travel history, everything." raised an eyebrow. "And?" 'She's not sick, Taylor. She doesn't have leukemia." blinked. My hands went still on the fabric. Scott pulled out his phone and showed me documents-falsified medical reports, statements 'rom a nurse who had been paid to keep silent, screenshots of Vanessa receiving money ransfers from an unregistered account just weeks before her return. And then another set of photos: Vanessa five years ago, laughing in the arms of a man who wasn't Troy. Boarding a plane. Sharing a kiss. 'She left with him," Scott explained, his voice tight. "Not because of cold feet, but because she was cheating on Troy. The guy promised her a future in fashion and modeling overseas.' But when he got bored, he dumped her for someone younger." I stared at him, coffee turning cold in my hand. My jaw clenched. "Of course she did." Scott blinked. "You sound… not surprised?" I let out a hollow laugh. "Because I'm not. She's always been like that." He tilted his head, confused. I placed the mug on the counter and folded my arms. "She's been that way since we were kids. Vanessa could burn the house down, and they'd stil pat her on the back for keeping warm. I was always the villain." He frowned. "Even your parents?" I nodded. "Especially my mom. I'll never forget… I was ten. Vanessa shattered Mom's antique vase, the one she inherited from our grandmother." Scott stayed silent, listening intently as the memory clawed its way back. "She ran straight to Mom, fake tears and all, saying I did it. That I was jealous of her getting al the attention at school." 'Taylor!' my mother had shouted, storming into the room with fury in her eyes. 'How dare you lie to me again? Why can't you be more like Vanessa?' I winced at the memory. "She didn't even let me speak. I tried to explain. I begged. I cried. But nothing." Scott's jaw tightened. "And then Travis came in. He didn't even ask what happened. Just grounded me for a week, tool my sketchpad, and said I needed to learn respect." Scott looked stunned. "Seriously?" "That was just one of many," I said bitterly. "When I got top of the class in eighth grade, Vanessa told everyone I cheated. She went to Travis and Van and said I stole someone's paper. They believed her." I bit down on my lower lip, the ache in my chest resurfacing like a bruise that never healed. 'And when I finally got my first design internship, the one thing I truly earned for myself… she said I only got it because of her ex's connection. She spread that lie to everyone, and suddenly I was nothing but a fraud. Again." Scott looked furious now. "She made sure everyone hated you." I nodded, slowly. "I spent most of my life trying to prove I wasn't what she said I was. But it never mattered. She'd cry once, and everyone-my brothers, my mom-they'd all fall at her feet." My throat tightened. "And then she came back. Sick. Fragile. And just like that, everyone melted again. All over her." Scott reached out and gently took my hand. "You don't have to fight for their love anymore. Not them. Not anyone." I looked at him, my voice trembling. "So what do we do now?" Scott's eyes met mine, unwavering. "We send the truth to Troy. And your brothers. Every last piece of it." Scott didn't speak, but a slow smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Are you sure?" "Yes," I whispered. "They need to know. They all turned their backs on me because they believed her. They should see who she really is." He nodded. "Then I'll take care of it." 212 Chapter 12 16.7%