Chapter 1 Chapter 1

"Aren't you the least bit sorry about Nina? She tried to kill herself three times over you," Emily Hawkins murmured, nestled in William Costello's arms. "Jones died saving me. I should take care of you, give you and Jones a child, fulfilling his last wish. As for Nina..." I held my breath, edging closer. "She doesn't have the guts to kill herself. She's just being dramatic, so don't worry about her. Besides, she's not as fragile as you are. You need me more!" I covered my mouth as my body slowly slid down the wall. Though the voice had the same tone as William's twin brother, Jones Costello, the speech pattern was unmistakably William's. I could not believe that William was still alive. His death had caused me countless nights of suffering, and everyone had pitied me. Yet, he thought I was just being dramatic. Years ago, we had made solemn vows—he swore I was the only one he would ever marry. I clutched the seal he had carved for me day and night, as if keeping him close to me. Ironically, the sweetness of our memories now filled me with a bitter chill. Once, when I was kidnapped, he came alone to save me and was severely injured, leaving a scar on his body. He had kissed my tear-reddened eyes and comforted me by saying it was a mark of our love. Now, he was on top of another woman. Emily moaned and said, "William, you're so much better than Jones!""Babe, you're so tight! You feel so damn good!""William, deeper!" Their gasps and moans grew louder, and nausea rose in my stomach. It all became painfully clear. The day Jones sacrificed himself, William had seamlessly slipped into his brother's life, conspiring with everyone else to deceive me. I steadied myself against the wall as I returned to my room and pulled a letter I had sealed away a week earlier. It was from my childhood friend, Nathaniel Smith, who was about to leave for an island he had just purchased. He had found me on the first day of William's supposed death and told me he had been waiting for me, ready to take me away whenever I wanted. My heart was full of William back then, so I immediately refused. I dialed the number he had left and said, "Nathaniel, I've made up my mind..." Nathaniel replied, "Good, I'll come get you.""But William has a lot of power now. I'm afraid you'll become his target." Nathaniel assured me, saying, "Don't worry, I'll bring you safely to me." After hanging up, I stared at the fragmented moonlight reflected from my window—a mirror of my battered self. I silently counted, 'Four more days, and I'll be free...'

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

The next morning, Emily and William shared a cozy breakfast after a night of passion. Suddenly, Emily clutched her stomach and rushed to the sink, vomiting. The family quickly gathered around her, their voices a mix of concern and excitement. No one even glanced in my direction, despite my visibly worn-out state. "Can't you see that Emily isn't feeling well? Why are you still sitting there eating? Have some decency!" William snapped, his tone sharp and accusing. I replied indifferently, "If she's sick, she should see a doctor." My blunt response only fueled his anger. Without warning, he flipped my plate. The hot broth splashed across my lap, and I let out a sharp scream. William snarled, "Why are you walking around looking like a corpse every day? We've been tolerant enough. How much longer are you going to keep up this drama?" I gripped my knife and fork tightly, ready to lash out. However, my mother-in-law, Helen Murphy, stepped in before I could. "That's enough, leave her alone. After all, she's only like this because she lost her husband..." Those words instantly calmed William down. He gave me a complicated look before rushing out the door with Emily in his arms. Our family arrived at the hospital, with William anxiously waiting in the emergency room. Once, when I had a high fever, this appearance-conscious man did not even bother to put on his shoes when he carried me to the hospital. His feet were even bloodied. Now, I was abandoned in a corner, ignored by everyone. The doctor came out and happily shook William's hand, saying, "Congratulations, sir! Your wife is pregnant!" Emily was pregnant, just one week after I lost my baby. William was overjoyed as he rushed in to embrace Emily and kiss her cheeks. The surrounding nurses made envious comments. One said, "Look at how much he loves his wife!" When I had miscarried, he had been tangled in bed with Emily, unreachable, while I crawled, bleeding, to the hospital alone. The whispers that haunted me back then still echoed in my mind. "Poor thing, covered in blood, and not a single family member or husband in sight." No wonder he had not mourned the loss of our child. He already had a new baby on the way with another woman. The truth cut deeper than any blade, threatening to tear me apart. Seeing my dazed expression, William frowned and questioned me, "What's wrong with you? Aren't you happy about Emily's pregnancy?" Did my husband really expect me to smile and congratulate him and another woman on their child? Helen tugged at William's sleeve and whispered, "She had just lost her baby—" He barked, "So what? That was her fault!" Emily flashed me a smirk. I wanted to leave the hospital, not wanting to witness their affection. At the entrance, I discovered it was raining. While I hesitated, William roughly pushed past me, causing me to fall to the ground. He got into the car and coldly said, "There's no room for you. Find your own way home!" He drove away and then came back. I thought he had a change of heart, but instead, he got out and yanked my jacket off. "Emily's cold. She needs this!" William left, leaving me shivering in the downpour, wearing only a thin tank top. Before long, my consciousness blurred as my whole body began to burn, and I eventually passed out.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

There were two more days until my escape. I woke up in my room, my limbs heavy and aching. "Mrs. Costello, you're awake," the butler, Francis Doyle, said as he entered, his voice tinged with concern. "The hospital brought you back just in time. Why did you run out into the rain alone?" I forced a bitter laugh, choosing not to explain. Just as I struggled to sit up, the door burst open, and William stumbled in, reeking of alcohol. He snarled, "Get out!" Francis immediately scurried out. William's bloodshot eyes locked onto mine, and before I could react, he lunged at me, knocking me back onto the bed. "Don't touch me! You're in the wrong room!" I gasped, trying to push him away. However, my weakened body was no match for his strength. He pinned my wrists above my head, his lips crashing down on mine in a suffocating kiss. Pain shot through my body as he roughly handled me, and tears streamed down my face. "I didn't get the wrong room, Nina. You're my wife," William growled as he yanked at my clothes, his eyes bloodshot. "I know our child is gone, and that hurts me too. But Jones died for me. I can't betray him, so you'll have to bear this burden..." he whispered against my ear, the stench of alcohol making my head spin. "You know, the truth is, I'm actually—""Enough!" I screamed, using the last of my strength to shove him off me. However, William was not done. He ripped his shirt off, his muscular chest heaving as he prepared to force himself on me again. The commotion must have caught Emily's attention, because the door suddenly flew open. She froze, her face draining of all color. Then, she shrieked, "You filthy whore! How dare you seduce my husband!" A harsh slap landed across my face, and I collapsed, passing out. It took me a long time to come to. My cheek was red and swollen. I downed several gulps of water, staggering to my feet. Just as I stumbled toward the door, Emily appeared again, ready to confront me. She spat, "Slut! You lost your husband, and now you're throwing yourself at mine? Serves you right that William and your child are both dead! You should've joined them!" With those words, my rage instantly ignited. She was the one who stole my husband and caused me to lose my baby. Yet, she was accusing me of being the other woman. Fueled by intense anger, I grabbed her collar and slapped her across the face. I snarled, "You destroyed my family! You're the real slut!" Emily screamed and fell to the ground. She covered her face and looked at me, not with anger, but with a smug smile. "You dared to hit me? Fine! I'll show you who the real outsider is in this house." With that, she grabbed a vase and smashed it against her head. Blood immediately streamed down her face. After flashing a satisfied smirk, she quickly changed her expression to one of terror and ran outside. "Help! Nina is trying to kill me!"