Chapter 1
Rumor had it that the women of the Jefferson family were cursed. Any man who betrayed a Jefferson woman would either die or suffer a severe injury.
The young men in the city steer clear of us, avoiding the drama and the bad luck.
But Louis Anderson, my childhood friend, wasn’t like the others. He ignored all they
warnings from his family and boldly proposed to me.
“Elise Jefferson, I’m not afraid of the curse,” he said, looking me squarely in the eye. “I’ll never betray you.”
His words made my heart swell, and I couldn’t hold back my tears. I agreed to marry him, convinced our love would break any curse.
Five years into our marriage, Louis’s first love, Nicole, returned to the country.”
From that point on, everything went downhill.
Louis and I fought relentlessly, especially when he insisted on a child–free marriage. Yet he allowed Nicole, his so–called ‘first love,‘ to get pregnant.”
To avert the curse that was set to take effect in seven days, I resolved to take matters into my own hands and request a divorce.} Louis, however, ripped the divorce papers into shreds with a mocking laugh. “Elise, do you really think I believe in your family’s curse? I don’t believe you can kill me!“}
And as if to prove his point, people started placing bets right in front of me.
They bet on whether, in seven days, it would be Louis who suffered, or if I would be the one crying and begging him to return.
I stopped arguing. I grabbed my luggage and walked out.
Out of respect for the years we had shared, I had given Louis a chance to survive.}}
But he chose not to take it.§
Elise’s POV
As I stepped outside the Anderson family home, Louis suddenly ordered his men to drag me back.
“Elise, once you’re in the Anderson family, you’re part of this family. Where do you think you’re going?” he demanded.”
“I’ve brought Nicole to stay with us while she rests. She’s not used to strangers, so you need to stay and take care of her.“>
I narrowed my eyes at him and asked, “Aren’t you afraid I might harm the child in Nicole’s belly?“)
Before I could even finish the thought, the wine glass in Louis’s hand came crashing against my face.
“Elise, how dare you threaten me?” he sneered. “Stay in your lane. And don’t forget, your mother is still lying unconscious in the hospital, clinging to life with the help of Anderson’s family medicine.”
My hands clenched into fists, shaking with rage.
Blood, mingled with red wine, trickled down my cheek.
Louis must have forgotten.
It was my mother who took the fatal blow for him all those years ago, sustaining a brain injury that left her in a permanent coma.
Nicole Sutton approached, holding a handkerchief, her voice laced with insincere sweetness.§
“Elise, that night was just an accident. Once the child is born, I’ll leave here. I won’t interfere with your marriage to Louis.“}]
She reached out to wipe my face, deliberately pressing down hard on the wound.§
I flinched, instinctively stepping back.
Suddenly, Nicole collapsed backwards, falling to the floor with a loud crash.
Gasps filled the room as she hit the ground, her hands pierced by broken glass and bleeding heavily.§
Louis rushed to her, shoving me aside with such force that I tumbled several feet away.
“Elise, you dare hurt Nicole in front of me?” he shouted, his voice dripping with anger. Then Louis spat, “Do you really think I won’t do something about this? Get down on your knees and apologize to her right now! Or I’ll pull your mother’s oxygen tube. You’ll pay for this.”}
I lay there, clutching my chest, coughing up blood.}]
But instead of being afraid, I laughed bitterly. “Louis, I can kneel, but I don’t know if she or the child in her belly can survive it.”
Nicole glanced at me, her face filled with unease as she noticed the cold smile in my eyes.
“Louis, forget it,” she said, her voice softening. “After all, she’s still your wife. It would look bad with so many people watching.” Louis’s gaze softened, but his words were still sharp. “You’re always so kind, Nicole. But some people don’t deserve your pity.” The personal doctor rushed in, medical kit in hand. Louis picked up Nicole and followed the doctor to a room.
As they passed me, Louis suddenly halted.”
“Take her to the confinement room. She doesn’t leave unless I say so.“!
I lifted my head, my voice low but firm. “Louis, you’ll regret this.”
He smirked, completely unfazed. “Oh, right. The curse. Let me guess, you’re saying I’ll be punished?“)
Louis leaned in slightly, his voice mocking. “Well, let me tell you this. I’m not afraid, Elise.”
Char
