Bound by an engagement contract, my father brought back two brothers from a fallen wealthy family, allowing my sister and me to choose our husbands. Caleb, steady and talented, fell for my sister the moment he saw her. I looked at Jax, whose legs were both broken, and sighed. A soft heart led me to accept him. After we married, I searched for renowned doctors, hoping to heal his legs. But his condition never improved. He grew depressed, and I gently comforted him. I thought if I was good enough to him, he’d become cheerful and positive. Yet, on the day our enemies attacked, he stood up from his wheelchair and pushed me out, using me as a human shield. “I’m sorry, I can’t just stand by and watch Seraphina die.” So, if Seraphina couldn’t die, I was expendable? He gave me one last, deep look, then slammed the door shut. “I owe you this life, I’ll repay you in the next!” Tears of despair streamed down my face. Turns out, his disability and depression were just an act, meant only for me. When I opened my eyes again, I heard my father telling my sister and me to choose our husbands.
I stared at the people before me, hatred seeping from my very bones. My sister, Seraphina, glanced at the steady and talented Caleb, then turned to me, her face full of gentle consideration. “My little sister is still young and a bit spoiled. How could I let you marry Jax, who’s crippled? I’ll choose Jax, it’s fine, really.” She’d said the exact same thing in my past life. I was so incredibly touched back then, believing she was the best person in the world. To spare her any hardship, I refused. “Sister,” I’d said, “you and Caleb share a deep love. How could I break you two apart?” I forcefully chose Jax, the disabled brother. I sought doctors and medicine for him for seven years. I knelt on countless temple steps, my forehead raw from bowing, begging for his recovery. Then, our enemies attacked our home. My wonderful husband, the man I had meticulously cared for seven years, stood up from his wheelchair and, without hesitation, pushed me out to draw their fire. “I’m sorry, I can’t just stand by and watch Seraphina die.” He didn’t even give me time to react before he slammed the heavy door shut. My sister, on the other hand, had dozens of bodyguards and a secret passage! She just needed to run a few more steps to meet up with Caleb. She’d claimed she wanted to protect me first. But after I was pushed out, she didn’t call anyone to save me. I died, and she got all the praise. Thinking of this, I forced a smile. “Then let’s switch.” The air instantly froze. Seraphina’s gentle expression stiffened. Caleb snapped his head up, blurting out, “No!” My father’s face darkened too, his stern gaze sweeping over Jax and me. “Nonsense! How can your elder sister marry a cripple?” A chill pierced my heart, bone-deep. So, you knew marrying a cripple was unacceptable. Last life, when I chose Jax, he didn’t say that. He said I was sensible, considerate, and a good daughter of the Sterling family. Just then, a clear, cold voice rang out. “I am not a cripple.” Under everyone’s shocked gazes, Jax slowly stood up. His posture was tall and straight, his aura commanding. I stared at him, my blood feeling like ice. He was faking it from the start? So, what was all my sleepless nights searching for doctors and medicine for? What about the good luck charm I begged for him, kneeling on nine thousand steps, bowing at each one? What about giving up all my shares just to beg Father to spare his life? It was all a complete joke! Seeing him like this, I instantly understood. He was reborn too. So, his “I’ll repay you in the next life” from last time? All lies. Even with a second chance, he didn’t want to marry me. It didn’t matter. I didn’t plan on having him either. “Mr. Sterling, my business acumen might not be inferior to my elder brother’s.” Jax’s voice was neither servile nor overbearing. In just a few words, he pointed out the Sterling family’s current business dilemma, analyzing it even more precisely than Caleb. “I can help the Sterling family turn losses into profits within three months.” My father’s shock turned into wild joy. I saw the way Seraphina looked at Jax. It changed too, becoming astonishingly bright. She quickly composed herself, walked to Caleb’s side, and put on a caring act. “Caleb, you’ll have to take good care of my sister from now on.” Caleb’s grim gaze fell on my left prosthetic eye. That was the eye I lost when I took a knife for Seraphina. Caleb’s eyes filled with disgust. He spoke each word distinctly, “Please, Mr. Sterling, cancel this engagement. Grant me my freedom. I’d rather start from scratch outside.”
My father’s face instantly dropped. His stern gaze landed on Caleb. “Cancel the engagement? Do you want everyone in the city to mock the Sterling family, to say we’re untrustworthy?” Caleb frowned, his gaze fixed on my face—specifically, on my dull, grey prosthetic eye. His tone was distant. “I’m not worthy of Miss Aria. Please, Mr. Sterling, fulfill my request.” Seraphina immediately stepped forward, her face full of feigned distress, as she chastised him. “Caleb, how can you say that? You’re hurting my sister’s feelings too much.” Caleb looked at her, his eyes instantly filling with deep affection. “If I cannot be with the one I love, I’d rather never marry.” I almost burst out laughing. What a dramatic display of undying love. A flicker of joy passed through Seraphina’s eyes, quickly replaced by her usual thoughtful expression. “Don’t be impulsive. Have you forgotten those enemies? They won’t spare a struggling man like you. I can’t stand by and watch you ruin your life.” Caleb was visibly moved, his gaze growing even more fervent. The smile on my lips could no longer be hidden. “Well, in that case, why don’t both Caleb and Jax become live-in husbands for Sister?” “That way, the engagement isn’t broken, and all you ‘lovers’ get what you want.” “After all, the contract never said Sister couldn’t have two at once.” “As for who’d be the main husband, and who’d just be a ‘plus one’ or ‘side piece’ – well, Sister can decide that herself, can’t she?” Seraphina’s face flushed crimson. She glared at me, feigning coyness. “Sister, what nonsense are you spouting!” My father’s gaze shifted to me, carrying a hint of scrutiny. “You really don’t want either of them?” I nodded, my voice firm. “No.” Jax and Caleb looked at me simultaneously. Their eyes held the same contempt, as if saying, *If even we don’t want you, who possibly would?* My father was silent for a moment, then asked, “Then, who do you want to marry?” “I want Julian Thorne, the only son of the Thorne family,” I declared. The entire room gasped. My father stood up in shock. “Are you insane? He’s known as the city’s most notorious playboy! Fortune tellers even say he won’t live past thirty!” The Thorne family was vast and wealthy, far surpassing our Sterlings. But Julian Thorne was idle and dissolute. Two years ago, he’d fallen gravely ill, and all doctors said he wouldn’t live past thirty. Anyone who married him would suffer a living hell. Even with the Thorne family’s promise to give their daughter-in-law twenty percent of the company’s shares, no one in high society dared to marry their daughter into the Thorne family. I calmly looked at my father. I cut straight to the chase. “I’m willing to marry into the Thorne family for the future of the Sterling family.” “But you must give me ten percent of the Sterling family’s shares as my dowry.” The shrewd glint in my father’s eyes sharpened. His reaction was expected. His favoritism had never been for me, so how could he willingly give me shares? I chuckled softly. “Dad, my appearance is… flawed. If I go to the Thorne family, I’ll be without any backing. If you don’t give me some leverage, how can I establish myself?” “Besides, how many years can Julian Thorne live? Once he’s gone, won’t everything of the Thorne family eventually belong to the Sterlings?” A flicker of calculation passed through his eyes. Finally, he nodded. “Alright, I agree.”
After I joined the Thorne family, Julian’s parents showed me exceptional regard. They not only personally guided me through the Thorne family’s vast business empire but also taught me hands-on. Two months later, the first project I spearheaded achieved great success, with profits far exceeding expectations. Julian’s parents were delighted and hosted a celebration banquet specifically for me. At the banquet, I wore a perfectly tailored gown, becoming the center of attention. Seraphina approached with a wine glass, smiling sweetly. “Congratulations, little sister. But I must advise you, women shouldn’t be too high-profile. Men don’t like that.” She pointedly added, “Especially women who only achieve a little something by being propped up by others.” I swirled the red wine in my glass. “Sister is right. Father has propped you up for so many years, yet I haven’t seen a single achievement from you.” My father, who was talking to someone, heard my words and, for the first time, gave Seraphina a cold look. Seraphina’s eyes instantly welled up. “Sister, how can you talk like that? I’m only doing this for your own good!” She changed tactics, looking at my eye, feigning worry. “Your most important task now is to capture Julian’s heart and get pregnant soon. But your eye… it’s so unsightly, no wonder your husband doesn’t favor you.” “I knew it. From the beginning, you shouldn’t have married into the Thorne family. Staying home would have been better than being thrown out.” I stared at Seraphina, speaking each word distinctly. “Sister, have you forgotten how I lost this eye?” “That year, when we encountered those thugs, even in that desperate situation, with your leg injured, I never thought of abandoning you. I dragged your hand and ran.” “And how did you treat me?” “We were almost free, just a few more steps, but you tripped me, causing me to be caught by them, and my eye was brutally gouged out!” Seraphina’s face instantly turned pale. Unable to retort, she covered her face and pretended to cry with guilt. “I’m sorry, little sister, I didn’t mean to…” “Cut the act,” I interrupted her. “Don’t think a few tears can hide your malice.” “Aria Sterling! Your words are too much!” Caleb, protecting the crying Seraphina, angrily rebuked me. Jax was even more direct. He grabbed my wrist, trying to forcefully drag me in front of Seraphina. “Seraphina is always kind; you must be slandering her. Apologize to her now!” I kicked him. “What are you, some kind of side piece Seraphina can’t openly acknowledge? Do you even have a right to speak here?” Jax looked up at me, stunned. “How can you say that about me?” Then, his face darkened, and he gritted his teeth. “No matter what, you must apologize to Seraphina first.” With that, he actually tried to kick my shin, intending to force me to kneel before Seraphina. I angrily struggled free and ordered the bodyguards behind me. “Throw him out!” Jax’s eyes widened. “How dare you kick me out?” I sneered, “Because this is a Thorne family banquet. What right does a nameless side piece like you have to cause a ruckus here?” Jax roared in anger but was utterly helpless to resist. A week later. Jax suddenly burst in, his face full of panic, and grabbed my hand. “Come with me quickly! Seraphina’s in danger!”
I pulled my hand away, completely unfazed. “Aria Sterling, come with me, now! If you don’t go, the Blackwood family will kill Seraphina!” Jax roared at me, his face grim. “I don’t care how she offended the Blackwoods. What does that have to do with me?” I retorted with a cold sneer. “Aria Sterling!” Jax’s face flushed crimson with fury. He gritted his teeth and said, “Seraphina chose that high-risk, high-return project to surpass you! You’re responsible for this!” I almost laughed. She got into trouble with a project, so she kidnapped a competitor, trying to force them out. Turns out, that person was a tough nut to crack. Even more, she was Isabelle Blackwood, the heiress of the Blackwood family, who was out gaining experience. Seraphina had tortured her to the brink of death; she was still in the ICU. The Blackwood family wielded immense power; they could make this whole city tremble. They even had their own unofficial detention facility. Anyone who entered that facility usually came out broken or driven mad. “None of my business,” I said, rolling my eyes, and turned to leave. “How is it not your business?” “Aria Sterling, if you hadn’t done so well on your project, if you hadn’t flaunted it in front of Seraphina, she wouldn’t have been provoked into doing this!” Jax blocked me, his eyes red as he stared intensely. “Now, isn’t it your duty to atone for her sins?” With that, he reached out and tried to pull me towards a car. Taking advantage of Jax’s distraction, I kicked him, seizing the chance to break free. But before I could even catch my breath, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see my father approaching with Caleb. My father’s expression was grim, and Caleb’s gaze was terrifyingly cold. My heart sank. I had a bad feeling. Caleb rushed forward without a word, grabbing my arm. “Let go of me!” I struggled desperately. “Jax!” Caleb shouted at Jax, who was still clutching his stomach. Jax immediately reacted and ran over to help. Two men—I couldn’t break free. They pinned me to the ground, tying my hands and feet with ropes. I glared at my father, furious. “Dad, what are you doing?” My father avoided my gaze, his voice trembling slightly. “Aria, don’t blame your dad. Seraphina has never been hurt since she was little. She can’t endure the Blackwood family’s torture.” Can’t endure it? So, he’d sacrifice me without hesitation? I turned to Jax, demanding furiously. “Jax, are you serious about this?!” Jax looked at me, a flicker of pain in his eyes, but he remained resolute, dragging me toward the Blackwood residence. “Jax, your attitude towards me hasn’t changed one bit. Still just as cruel.” Jax looked back at me, his face devoid of surprise. “I’m sorry, Aria.” Sorry? I almost laughed out loud. “Jax, your apology is a joke. Push someone to their death, then offer a ‘sorry’?” “I promise, this is the last time.” Jax looked at me earnestly. “I’ve already found a loophole in the Blackwood family’s private detention facility. I’ll do everything I can to protect you. You won’t get hurt.” When we arrived at the Blackwood estate, Jax immediately pushed me away and rushed towards Seraphina, who was crying dramatically. He gently stroked Seraphina’s back, his voice tender, a side of him I had never seen. “It’s alright, I brought her.” “Mr. Blackwood, Seraphina is innocent. Everything was Aria Sterling’s doing behind the scenes.” “All the harm Miss Blackwood suffered should be borne by Aria Sterling!” I was tied with ropes, sprawled miserably on the ground. I struggled to look at Caleb, a last glimmer of hope in my eyes. “You always boasted about your integrity, didn’t you? Why aren’t you telling the truth?” Caleb avoided my gaze. He pulled out a document from his pocket. “I’m sorry.” He apologized softly, then handed the fabricated evidence to Mr. Blackwood. “This is the evidence that Seraphina kidnapped Miss Blackwood. The main culprit is Aria Sterling.” My heart turned completely cold. Mr. Blackwood read the document, his face ashen. He waved his hand, and two men in black immediately stepped forward. A cold glint flashed. Three knives plunged savagely into my body. “Ah—!” The intense pain made me scream. Blood instantly soaked my clothes. Seraphina was still crying. Everyone was comforting her. No one spared me a glance. Just then, a servant rushed in. “Master, Miss Isabelle is awake!” “Miss Isabelle says it was Seraphina who harmed her that night, not Aria Sterling!” Mr. Blackwood was enraged. “Outrageous! Your Sterling family dares to replace the culprit?!” I thought I could finally escape this suffering, but my father stepped forward. After a string of comforting platitudes, he changed his tone: “I only have these two daughters. Do you mean to destroy my entire legacy?” He pointed at me. “Since Aria has already suffered the punishment on Seraphina’s behalf, why not give her double the penalty, and this matter can be considered closed.” My eyes widened. I stared at him in disbelief. “Dad, I’m your biological daughter too.” “For Seraphina’s sake, are you truly willing to let me die?” He unnaturally averted his gaze. Mr. Blackwood glanced at me, then sneered. “Fine.” I was dragged to the Blackwood family’s private detention facility, my hands and feet chained. Torture implements were laid out before me, one by one. Steel needles pierced under my fingernails, making my entire body tremble with pain. “Ah—!” My blood slowly stained the entire facility. I don’t know how much time passed before Jax walked in. “Jax, take me away, quick!” “Please, save me…” I cried and pleaded. But he frowned. “Can you be a little quieter? Seraphina is very scared hearing your voice.” I looked at him in disbelief: “Even with me standing here covered in wounds, your eyes are only on Sister’s trivial fear, aren’t they?” Jax’s face showed a flicker of reluctance, and his fists clenched tightly, but his words still brought despair. “Just endure it a little longer. Seraphina’s period has started, I need to go make her a warm tea for her cramps.” “Jax, please! They’re going to stab steel needles into my neck next! If I don’t leave now, I’ll really die!” Jax’s footsteps paused briefly. “Just hold on. Seraphina can’t stand pain.” He walked away without looking back. I numbly wiped the blood from my face. Julian Thorne and Mr. Blackwood emerged from the shadows. Julian draped his jacket over me, gently stroking my hair, his voice laced with mockery. “Wife, are these your family and your childhood friend?” I looked at Mr. Blackwood, my face devoid of warmth. “Now, can you believe that I have absolutely no lingering attachment to the Sterling family?” Mr. Blackwood nodded with satisfaction. “Welcome to the family.” From this day forward, I was no longer the second daughter of the Sterling family. I was the Sterling Group’s nightmare. Jax stood in the kitchen, a spoon in his hand, the warm water gurgling in the pot. His mind was filled with my last desperate plea to him.
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