Evan took hurried steps toward the entrance, but it felt like an eternity had passed when she was there.

The rumors could not be true. She had told herself the same line again and again until she held the door knob but she did not have the strength to open it.

She kept holding it when tears started to fall from her eyes. She could hear the laughter that stabbed her heart and soul.

Her father died two days ago. She was devastated and broken. When her husband came to her and held her in his arms, she was not able to hear a single word he was whispering.

He took her without her consent. He took advantage of her frail and broken soul and ravaged her all night. Yet, she accepted it, telling herself she would need an heir now. 

He was her husband. They have been married for a year. It would happen sooner or later. She just wished it would not have been forceful. It would not have been so challenging.

She was bedridden for a day. When he left, the bed was covered in blood. She felt so much pain that she would lose her life. She was told that everyone ridiculed her for being absent from her father's funeral.

Her step-sister and stepmother completed all the formalities. All she could do was cry! In a lonely room. Her husband must have been busy with guests. He would come to her and apologize for what had happened.

At least he would hold her and tell her he would take care of her. She held on until the maid cleaned her. She waited until the physician visited and gave her medicine. She waited until the guests started to leave. All this time, she sat alone in her room.

But he did not come. Not even once did he return after that fateful night. And now she was told…

Tears blurred her eyes as she took a deep breath and opened the door. She saw a man and a woman kissing passionately in the dimly lit room.

It was her room, her bed, and her husband, but the one in his arms was her stepsister. The shock soon turned into anger as her body trembled.

"Stop messing around, there are still guests in the palace. What if someone saw us?" Her husband warned Elene, her step-sister as he held her by her waist.

"What? Are you afraid of the guests or my sister?" She laughed and caressed his cheeks. "You have already raped her so cruelly that she was unable to leave the bed at all. Poor her!" 

Her voice was filled with delight and joy when he sighed.

"You are such a troublemaker. Did you not ask me to take her virginity before leaving her?" She grinned with joy as she nodded her head. 

Evangeline held the door tightly. Her hands started to bleed when the knob nail pierced her palm but she didn't feel a thing.

Her whole body was numb as she stared blankly at the scene.

"That wench kept showing off as if she were the most innocent and pure of all. Even after marrying you, she did not let you touch her. What a bitch. You were her husband, what was so wrong with having sex with her?" She spat menacingly as she started unbuttoning the shirt.

"But at the same time, I am jealous that I have to share with you now. What if you like her more in bed than me?" She bit her lips seductively and blinked her eyes as if she was hurt when the man sighed.

He cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead.

"How could that be? She was just lying there like a dead fish. Only crying for her dead father. She was so dry when I entered her that it was painful. But soon the blood worked as a lubricant.

It was a rough night. To make it for me, you have to give me a special night." She grinned and nodded while licking her lips.

Evangeline felt nauseated after hearing them. She could feel tears blurring her eyes and trickling down her face. Who would have thought the man she married and gave herself to was cheating on her? 

Soon their clothes fell to the ground and their bodies became entangled. The bed creaked with their swift and strong actions. 

Evangeline tightened her hands into a fist as she held back her emotions. It was not until she heard the moaning sounds of the couple did she feel her world had fallen apart.

One year ago, Evangeline was the most sought-after marriage partner, but she chose Baron Harold over everyone.

She let him be the marquis while taking a step back and handling only the affairs of the house. She made sure that he would never feel insulted or challenged. That was why she kept her qualities hidden. She wanted to make sure that their family stayed peaceful.

No! This could not be true. She had only loved and cared for her step-sister and stepmother. She had always treated them like her family. She shook her head and kept lying to herself until her maid, Sophie came and hugged her.

Evangeline was lying on the ground like a broken mess at that time. 

"Oh my lady, you should be taking a rest in your room." She held Evangeline and took her back to her room.

But something in her mistress changed at that moment.

"Did everyone know about Harold and Elene?" Sophie looked away, shocked by the question.

Though no words were spoken, her pale face said it all.

Evangeline laughed mockingly. So, she was the only fool who believed she would find love in her arranged marriage someday. Only to be left like a broken and ragged doll.

"Prepare me well. I will fight for the position of my father tomorrow." She was not willing to let that man take away what belonged to her.