After Breaking Up, I Became My Ex-Boyfriend's Sister-in-Law

"Melinda, you've messed up my files again."

Before I could even say good morning, Patrick Rossini's complaint echoed from upstairs. My heart sank as I dropped the spatula and rushed upstairs, taking the steps two at a time.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I'll reorganize them right away." I apologized frantically while scrambling to gather the scattered documents. "I'm just too stupid to understand what you meant..."

Patrick waved dismissively. "Forget it. Just don't touch my work files anymore. Important materials like these aren't something you can handle."

A wave of hurt washed over me, but I still nodded repeatedly. "Okay, I'll remember. I'm truly sorry..."

"I have an important meeting today. Don't mess anything else up." He said while changing clothes, then added, "Oh, and there's a family gathering tonight. You're coming too."

A flash of joy crossed my eyes as I asked carefully, "Really? Are you sure I won't... won't cause you any trouble?"

"Dress appropriately. Don't embarrass us." Patrick said without looking back.

Though his words stung, I couldn't help feeling excited. A family gathering! Patrick was finally willing to take me!

"I'll be careful. I absolutely won't embarrass you." I promised.

That evening, I stood in front of my closet for an hour before settling on my most modest black dress. Not too flashy, but not too shabby either.

The Rossini family estate was beautiful like a fairy tale, but I grew increasingly nervous. Everything here was so elegant, so refined. Did I really belong here?

"Patrick!" State Senator Hunter approached us proactively. "Long time no see."

"Senator, wonderful to see you." Patrick immediately switched to his social smile.

"And this is?" The senator's gaze fell on me.

"This is Melinda, my... friend." Patrick clearly hesitated before the word "friend."

Friend? My heart sank, but I forced myself to keep smiling.

The senator nodded, then turned to the young woman beside him. "This is my daughter Victoria, just back from abroad. Victoria, meet Patrick."

Victoria gracefully extended her hand. "Patrick, I've heard so much about you. I just attended a policy symposium where many people mentioned the Rossini family."

Her every movement was so polished, her tone reflecting excellent breeding.

Standing beside them, I felt invisible. Compared to her, I was just an assistant—not even a lawyer.

As their conversation shifted to politics, Victoria naturally joined in, displaying impressive knowledge. I couldn't contribute anything and could only stand quietly aside.

An elderly lady glanced at us and said meaningfully to Patrick, "Young people have such difficulty finding suitable partners these days."

My face burned with embarrassment as I lowered my head, not daring to look at anyone. Patrick stood right there but didn't say a word in my defense.

Victoria was deep in discussion with Patrick about political matters, completely oblivious to my existence. Listening to their conversation filled with jargon I couldn't even understand, I wondered if Patrick and Victoria were truly meant for each other...

The entire evening, I felt like an outsider. Whenever anyone mentioned educational backgrounds, career achievements, or family history, I could only remain silent. What could I say? I'd only attended an ordinary state university, and I was just an assistant.

"What does Melinda do for work?" someone finally asked me.

"I... I work as an assistant at a law firm." I answered quietly.

"Oh, an assistant..." The lady's tone carried obvious disappointment before she quickly moved to other topics.

I felt utterly humiliated. Maybe bringing me here really was a mistake. How could someone like me belong in a place like this?

As the night wore on, I felt like I was suffocating. Every glance, every word reminded me: you don't belong here.

"I'm going to the restroom." I whispered to Patrick.

He nodded without looking back, engaged in animated conversation with several important figures.

Walking down the quiet hallway, I tried to suppress the hurt building inside me. Maybe I really wasn't good enough? Maybe Patrick was only with me out of pity? After all, for someone of my background to receive love from a Rossini family heir was miraculous in itself...

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice—Patrick's voice, coming from the study.

"Victoria really is an ideal candidate." An unfamiliar man said.

My steps froze.

"I think so too." Patrick's voice carried an ease I'd never heard before. "A senator's daughter with top-tier education—that's what you call a truly suitable marriage."

Marriage? I held my breath and quietly approached the study door.

"What about Melinda? Haven't you two been together for six years?"

Patrick's next words completely shattered my world.

He laughed contemptuously. "Six years, and honestly, I've been bored for a while now. An assistant from peasant stock—what can she do besides organize files? You saw tonight how she couldn't even speak up in that setting."

Peasant stock? I pressed my hand over my mouth to stifle any sound.

"She's like a brainless trophy, constantly hovering around me, actually thinking she's some kind of mistress. Victoria saying just a few words carries more weight than her six years of... existence." Patrick's tone dripped with mockery.

I thought about my performance tonight—indeed, I'd said nothing, understood nothing... So this was truly how worthless I was in his eyes.

"So when do you plan to..."

"Next month I'll find some excuse to break up." Patrick said casually. "She's just a plaything anyway. When you're tired of a toy, you naturally get a new one. Someone of her background should be grateful I kept her around for six years."

"Besides, she naively thinks I actually love her. She believed every sweet word I've said over six years—it's pathetic, really."

Smug laughter echoed from the study, each sound cutting through my heart like a blade.

Peasant stock... plaything... trophy...

For six years, I'd really been like a dog begging for his approval! I remembered myself organizing materials for him at dawn, remembered trembling tonight trying not to embarrass him, remembered just moments ago blaming myself for not being good enough...

How incredibly stupid I'd been to actually believe he loved me! Every kiss over six years, every "I love you"—it was all an act! I'd been performing devotion like a clown in front of him!

Six years! A full six years! I'd given my most beautiful youth to this scumbag, only to end up as nothing but a joke in his eyes!

I quietly slipped away from the corridor and waited around a distant corner.

About fifteen minutes later, Patrick emerged from the study with the other man and returned to the main hall. I took a deep breath and walked over to him.

"Patrick, I'm feeling a bit unwell. I'd like to go home and rest." I said softly.

Without even looking at me, he waved dismissively. "Go ahead. I still have business to discuss."

Just like that, I left the Rossini estate alone.

Six years of humiliation ended tonight. And we were finished.