Chapter 2
Morning light leaked through the curtains.
My legs were trembling as I forced myself to crawl out of bed.
Raymond was still fast asleep.
When I looked down, I saw dried blood on my calves–dark red stains that
felt like they were slicing straight through my heart.
All the strength I’d faked last night crumbled in an instant.
Everything that happened was still vivid in my mind.
Liora had drugged him and set him up, and Raymond was furious.
This book had been added on your bookshelf.
He must’ve thought I was her–he poured all his anger onto me.
There wasn’t an ounce of tenderness. No matter how hard I gritted my teeth, I couldn’t stop the cries of pain from slipping out.
She was the one who did all this–yet I was the one who had to suffer the consequences.
I clenched my fists.
Compared to my mom’s life, none of this pain mattered.
I blinked hard, forcing the tears back down.
Gathering the clothes scattered all over the floor, I struggled to put them back on.
I was shaking as I stepped out of the bedroom. The moment I did, I saw
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Chapter 2
Liora lying on the couch outside. She had just woken up.
She shot me a venomous glare, her voice sharp and full of spite. “Get lost.”
I took a deep breath and forced myself to keep walking.
I staggered out of the building, hailed a cab, and headed back to the Corbins‘ residence.
As soon as I got back to my room, I rushed into the bathroom to wash myself clean. But the moment I started undressing, I realized there was something new on my wrist–a crystal bracelet.
It took me a second to remember–Raymond had put it on me last night after taking my virginity.
I think he mentioned that it was a Merrick family heirloom, something passed down to the daug! This book had been added on your
If Liora saw this, I’d be in deep trouble.
bookshelf.
I yanked at the bracelet as hard as I could, but maybe I was too anxious–it wouldn’t budge. It was stuck tight on my wrist.
Sweat broke out on my forehead. In the end, I gave up. I’d just wear long sleeves to hide it and wait until I could take it off and return it to Liora without her noticing.
Liora got what she wanted.
Raymond never realized it wasn’t she who spent the wedding night with him.
She thought she was finally going to live happily ever after.
But what she didn’t expect was this–on the very next day, Raymond got
Chapter 2
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an urgent call and had to fly overseas to handle business at one of their international branches.
Traveling with him was his childhood friend, Sophia Monroe.
Liora went back to the Corbins‘ residence and couldn’t help venting to her mom, Zoey Corbin.
“Raymond’s dad wanted him to marry Sophia. Thank God I made the first move. Now that little Vixen’s tagging along with him on a business trip- for months! What if she seduces him while they’re away?”
I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. I was just in the kitchen making soup to take to the rehab center for my mom.
I heard Zoey sigh, “The Merrick family won’t register the marriage until you give them a child. That’s how they’re protecting their assets. If Sophia gets pregnant first, we’re screwed.”
Liora was clearly panicked. “The doctor said even if I do get pregnant, I’m likely to miscarry! That’s why I had to send Joanne in on our wedding night!”
Zoey snapped, “All because you’re an idiot! Got knocked up by that loser and had three abortions already. Raymond’s dad is deeply concerned about family lineage. If Raymond’s younger brother comes back from overseas and finds some woman to have a kid with, where does that leave you?”
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