Part 3Villainess Unredeemed

The first thing I did when I got home was throw out everything from my past life. Then I called the movers. After that, I sent a single text to the contact pinned at the top of my chat list. By the time I was done, it was past midnight.

For ten long years, I’d diligently played my part. If the main couple’s romance needed a little conflict to heat things up, I was their go-to tool. But now the story was over. The plot’s control over me was gone. Who knew what could happen after the final chapter?

Everything I’d been forced to give away as a plot device, I was going to take back, piece by piece.

Starting with John’s position at the company.

Three days passed, and the buzz around the wedding of the century was still going strong. Aurora was already leveraging the publicity to break into international markets.

Then came the day for the newlyweds’ traditional visit to the bride’s family. I went too.

I could hear the laughter from outside. I didn’t need to go in to picture the happy family scene. But I was here to spoil the mood.

Aurora was the first to see me. “Jasmine, you’re here! We were just talking about you. It’s been so long since we all had dinner together.” She smiled sweetly. “Come, join us.”

“I’d love to,” I said, my own smile genuine. Seeing their forced happiness made me feel so much better, like the air itself was sweeter.

“Now that you’re here,” my father, David Shen, said sternly, “try to get along with your sister. And don’t pull any of your usual stunts. They’re legally married now. If you interfere, you’ll be nothing but a homewrecker.”

I looked at my biological father, truly looked at him, and found it hard to believe a parent could say such things to their child. But I’d heard worse from him. Now that I no longer cared, the words couldn’t hurt me.

“Of course. I would never do something so degrading as to pursue a married man.”

The color drained from my father's face. Luckily, the housekeeper announced that dinner was ready, breaking the awkward tension. But as soon as I sat down, Aurora spoke up again. “Oh, that’s where Mom usually sits. If you like that spot, Jasmine, I’m sure she won’t mind moving.”

I gave her a half-smile. She returned it with one of her signature gentle expressions, but I knew the ugliness that lay beneath.

My stepmother, Clara, just waved a dismissive hand. “It’s fine. Let Jasmine have the seat if she wants it.”

Even John chimed in, his voice laced with disapproval. “Jasmine, you’re still so stubborn.”