I was the only daughter of the city’s wealthiest family, born late in my father’s life, and notoriously delicate. Even as an adult, I needed three maids just for my daily needs, because the slightest scratch would lead to uncontrollable bleeding that wouldn’t heal for weeks. My father replaced every cook, gardener, and maid in our mansion with top-tier doctors, terrified of even the slightest mishap. “’Pick a husband who’ll live here, someone I can trust to protect you,’ my father had insisted.” Naturally, I chose Julian, the most handsome and gentlemanly of them all. But on our wedding night, with no warning, he brutally violated me, his voice chilling. “‘Seraphina! Do you truly die if a top-tier doctor isn’t by your side?’” “‘Chloe only asked to use one of your doctors, and you let her miss her optimal treatment window, leaving her with a scar! Today, you’ll feel the despair she felt!’” Julian’s words grew coarser, and immediately, I felt a sticky wetness beneath me as the blood flowed uncontrollably. When he finally stopped, I had already lost my breath. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day I chose my husband. My father was swiping through photos on the projector, one by one. This time, I had my father scroll straight to the man wearing an eye patch. “‘I choose him!’”
“‘Miss, Mr. Sterling wants you in his study,’” Mr. Davies, the butler, knocked on my door. I shot up in bed, drenched in cold sweat, the agonizing sensation of Julian tearing me apart still lingering. I had actually been reborn to the day my father told me to choose a husband. In his study, six photos were displayed on the wall, illuminated by the projector. My father turned and smiled at me. “‘Which one do you like best?’” I scanned the faces, my gaze pausing for a second on Julian’s gentle, refined smile. In my previous life, that face had completely fooled me. “‘This one,’” I said, pointing to the first photo. “‘Atticus Davies.’” The man in the photo wore an eye patch, his brows cold, his aura distant. My father froze. “‘Seraphina, are you sure? While his medical skills are superb, he…’” “‘He what?’” My father’s face wrinkled in a frown. He cleared his throat, trying to rein in his emotions. *This man was the most outstanding in every aspect, yet he was considered a last resort.* “‘Darling, there are several more options. Why don’t you look at them first? His eye…’” Meeting my gaze, he suddenly seemed to recall some forbidden topic and quickly changed his tune: “‘He’s a recluse! Not very talkative.’” My father quickly reached out to slide the photo, but I pressed his hand down. “‘Just him,’” my voice was firm. In my previous life, those other men were either fake or greedy. He was the only one who wasn’t. Seeing my resolute attitude, my father could only agree. I returned to my room, still feeling a bit dizzy. Mr. Davies knocked again. “‘Miss, young Master Julian is here.’” My heart instantly tightened. Julian pushed the door open, with Chloe trailing behind him. Her right wrist was wrapped in gauze, and her eyes were red and swollen, looking utterly pathetic. “‘Chloe accidentally cut herself on some glass, and the wound is a bit deep. It needs professional medical attention,’ Julian said, his voice gentle. If it had been before, I would have agreed without hesitation.” Chloe started to whimper on cue. “‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have bothered you, but an ordinary hospital might leave a scar…’” I watched their act with cold eyes. In my previous life, it was always like this. Chloe would always get “injured” at crucial moments, and Julian would bring her to me. Every time I showed the slightest hesitation, he’d call me cold-blooded. “‘The Sterling family’s doctors only serve me,’ I said flatly. ‘Her injury is minor enough for a regular hospital.’”
Julian’s face darkened. “‘Seraphina, Chloe is your childhood friend. Can’t you help her?’” “‘She’s a maid’s daughter, not my friend.’” In my previous life, I treated her like a real sister. As long as I was happy, my father would be thrilled. Chloe’s lifestyle and upkeep were arranged to be exactly like mine, all at my request. Gradually, she started making all sorts of demands, and I tried my best to fulfill them. All because, to a “monster” like me, she was the only playmate who seemed genuinely willing to be around me. If only I hadn’t found out what happened later… I scoffed inwardly. Now, she probably thinks she’s actually one of us, doesn’t she? Chloe lowered her head, masking the coldness in her eyes, then looked up at me, eyes filled with tears. “‘Seraphina, I know your top-tier doctors only treat you. And I’m just a maid’s daughter, I don’t deserve them.’” “‘But I’m really in pain, and I just forgot my place for a moment, even bothering Julian…’” “‘Then go to the hospital.’” I stood up to leave, but Julian grabbed my wrist forcefully. “‘Seraphina! When did you become so cold-blooded? Is it because I said a few things to you yesterday?’” “‘Chloe grew up with you, she’s so kind, she never treated you like an outcast. She just had a craving and drank some of your tonic. Do you have to be so petty?’” Petty? Even my father, the wealthiest man in the city, had to pull every connection and spend half his fortune, taking ten years just to gather the ingredients for *that one bowl of tonic*. For ordinary people, it was just a health supplement, good for beauty and wellness. For me, it was literally a life-saver, especially crucial during childbirth to prevent fatal hemorrhages. “‘Her one craving cost me a lifetime of infertility?’” I pried his fingers off my wrist, one by one. His body stiffened, and he let go of my wrist. Chloe suddenly let out a soft whimper, and he snapped back to reality, immediately stroking her hair with concern. He turned, gave me a deep look, then pulled Chloe away. I sank back onto the couch, feeling drained, and called my father. “‘When can Atticus return?’” “‘About another month. His research in Germany has entered a critical phase.’” “‘It’s supposedly specifically for your condition.’” My heart warmed. In my previous life, how could I have overlooked someone who, though a man of few words, always showed his devotion through actions? It must have been because my eyes were only on Julian then, a man who was only sweet and gentle with his words. In the afternoon, Chloe came again, her face full of fawning smiles. “‘Seraphina, Julian and I shouldn’t have bothered you this morning,’ she said softly. ‘These are rose pastries I made myself, your favorite.’” I looked at her fake smile, a wave of nausea rolling through my stomach. In my previous life, I had eaten her pastries and nearly gone into shock on the spot. “‘Dr. Miller,’ I pressed the intercom. ‘Please analyze the ingredients of these pastries.’” Chloe’s face subtly changed. “‘Seraphina, what do you mean by that?’” “‘Routine check,’” I answered coldly. Ten minutes later, Dr. Miller rushed in. “‘Miss, these pastries contain a large amount of mango protein,’ he said, his face grave. ‘You’re severely allergic to mangoes. If you had accidentally consumed them, given your condition…’” “‘I’d be dead,’” I finished for him. Chloe instantly turned pale. “‘I’m sorry, I didn’t know…’” Didn’t know? Everyone in this mansion knew. And she, who grew up with me, didn’t?
I stood up, stepping closer to her. “‘Chloe, were you trying to kill me?’” “‘I wasn’t!’” She shook her head wildly, tears streaming down her face. “‘Seraphina, how could you think that of me? We grew up together…’” “‘Enough,’” I interrupted, disgusted. “‘Mr. Davies, call the police.’” Chloe instantly fell to her knees. “‘Seraphina, please, I really didn’t mean to!’” Julian rushed in, seeing Chloe on her knees, and immediately helped her up. “‘Chloe, what’s wrong?’” “‘Julian…’” Chloe was crying pitifully, tears streaming down her face, and as she rubbed her eyes, she deliberately exposed the burned spot on her wrist. “‘Seraphina says I tried to harm her, but I really didn’t. I just saw her eat so little at lunch and worried about her health, so I specially made her some pastries. I had no idea about any mango protein allergy…’” Julian’s eyes immediately landed on her red, swollen hand, filled with concern. He turned, his face ashen, to look at me. “‘Seraphina, are you insane? Chloe was kind enough to make you pastries, and you accuse her of trying to harm you?’” “‘The evidence is clear,’” I pointed to the pastries. “‘She added mango protein to them, trying to make me die from an allergic reaction.’” “‘Nonsense!’” Julian roared. “‘Chloe is so kind, how could she do such a thing? She already said she had no idea.’” “‘I know you’re still angry and trying to find an excuse, but aren’t you being a bit too obvious this time? Don’t you feel ashamed?!’” Seeing him so fiercely protective of her, a chill ran through me. “‘Julian, get out of my room.’” “‘What did you say?’” “‘I said, get out.’” Afternoon, I tried to get myself together to try on my custom-designed wedding gowns. When I opened the door, the ten neatly arranged gowns were gone, only empty racks remained. “‘Miss Sterling!’” The store assistant immediately rushed over. “‘Mr. Julian said you weren’t feeling well, so he took them back on your behalf…’” I took a deep breath. “‘Where did they go?’” “‘They seemed to have gone to that photography studio on the back street.’” When I arrived at the photography studio, what I saw was Chloe, giggling and sweetly snuggling up to Julian’s arm, posing for photos in *my* wedding dress. The other nine gowns were carelessly thrown on the sofa, some even on the floor. “‘You look so beautiful,’” Julian murmured, gently caressing Chloe’s face. I spoke coldly, “‘Take off the dress.’” They sprang apart in alarm. Chloe’s eyes immediately turned red. “‘Seraphina, we were just…’” Julian began to explain, but I cut him off directly. “‘Take it off.’”
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