I married a “disabled” man for my sister’s benefit, fought for him for seven years, and lost an eye in the process. But when danger came, he stood up—fully capable—and sent me to my death. Reborn, I see every mask clearly: my sister’s softness, my father’s bias, my husband’s betrayal. This time, I bow to no one. Marriage swaps, broken engagements—let them try. I will make them choke on every choice they once forced on me. I stared at the people before me, hatred seeping from my very bones. My sister, Serena, glanced at the steady and talented Callum, 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 Jaxon, who’s crippled? I’ll choose Jaxon, 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 Callum share a deep love. How could I break you two apart?” I forcefully chose Jaxon, 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 Serena 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 Callum. 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. Serena’s gentle expression stiffened. Callum snapped his head up, blurting out, “No!” My father’s face darkened too, his stern gaze sweeping over Jaxon 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 Jaxon, 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, Jaxon 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.” Jaxon’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 Callum. “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 Serena looked at Jaxon. It changed too, becoming astonishingly bright. She quickly composed herself, walked to Callum’s side, and put on a caring act. “Callum, you’ll have to take good care of my sister from now on.” Callum’s grim gaze fell on my left prosthetic eye. That was the eye I lost when I took a knife for Serena. Callum’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 Callum. “Cancel the engagement? Do you want everyone in the city to mock the Sterling family, to say we’re untrustworthy?” Callum frowned, his gaze fixed on my face—specifically, on my dull, grey prosthetic eye. His tone was distant. “I’m not worthy of Miss Arden. Please, Mr. Sterling, fulfill my request.” Serena immediately stepped forward, her face full of feigned distress, as she chastised him. “Callum, how can you say that? You’re hurting my sister’s feelings too much.” Callum 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 Serena’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.” Callum 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 Callum and Jaxon 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?” Serena’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.” Jaxon and Callum 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 Lucian 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 Lucian 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 Lucian 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, Lucian’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. Lucian’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. Serena 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 Serena a cold look. Serena’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 Lucian’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 Serena, 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!” Serena’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.” “Arden Sterling! Your words are too much!” Callum, protecting the crying Serena, angrily rebuked me. Jaxon was even more direct. He grabbed my wrist, trying to forcefully drag me in front of Serena. “Serena is always kind; you must be slandering her. Apologize to her now!” I kicked him. “What are you, some kind of side piece Serena can’t openly acknowledge? Do you even have a right to speak here?” Jaxon 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 Serena first.” With that, he actually tried to kick my shin, intending to force me to kneel before Serena. I angrily struggled free and ordered the bodyguards behind me. “Throw him out!” Jaxon’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?” Jaxon roared in anger but was utterly helpless to resist. A week later. Jaxon suddenly burst in, his face full of panic, and grabbed my hand. “Come with me quickly! Serena’s in danger!”
I pulled my hand away, completely unfazed. “Arden Sterling, come with me, now! If you don’t go, the Blackwood family will kill Serena!” Jaxon 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. “Arden Sterling!” Jaxon’s face flushed crimson with fury. He gritted his teeth and said, “Serena 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. Serena 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?” “Arden Sterling, if you hadn’t done so well on your project, if you hadn’t flaunted it in front of Serena, she wouldn’t have been provoked into doing this!” Jaxon 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 Jaxon’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 Callum. My father’s expression was grim, and Callum’s gaze was terrifyingly cold. My heart sank. I had a bad feeling. Callum rushed forward without a word, grabbing my arm. “Let go of me!” I struggled desperately. “Jaxon!” Callum shouted at Jaxon, who was still clutching his stomach. Jaxon 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. “Arden, don’t blame your dad. Serena 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 Jaxon, demanding furiously. “Jaxon, are you serious about this?!” Jaxon looked at me, a flicker of pain in his eyes, but he remained resolute, dragging me toward the Blackwood residence. “Jaxon, your attitude towards me hasn’t changed one bit. Still just as cruel.” Jaxon looked back at me, his face devoid of surprise. “I’m sorry, Arden.” Sorry? I almost laughed out loud. “Jaxon, your apology is a joke. Push someone to their death, then offer a ‘sorry’?” “I promise, this is the last time.” Jaxon 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, Jaxon immediately pushed me away and rushed towards Serena, who was crying dramatically. He gently stroked Serena’s back, his voice tender, a side of him I had never seen. “It’s alright, I brought her.” “Mr. Blackwood, Serena is innocent. Everything was Arden Sterling’s doing behind the scenes.” “All the harm Miss Blackwood suffered should be borne by Arden Sterling!” I was tied with ropes, sprawled miserably on the ground. I struggled to look at Callum, a last glimmer of hope in my eyes. “You always boasted about your integrity, didn’t you? Why aren’t you telling the truth?” Callum 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 Serena kidnapped Miss Blackwood. The main culprit is Arden 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. Serena 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 Serena who harmed her that night, not Arden 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 Arden has already suffered the punishment on Serena’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 Serena’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 Jaxon walked in. “Jaxon, take me away, quick!” “Please, save me…” I cried and pleaded. But he frowned. “Can you be a little quieter? Serena 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?” Jaxon’s face showed a flicker of reluctance, and his fists clenched tightly, but his words still brought despair. “Just endure it a little longer. Serena’s period has started, I need to go make her a warm tea for her cramps.” “Jaxon, please! They’re going to stab steel needles into my neck next! If I don’t leave now, I’ll really die!” Jaxon’s footsteps paused briefly. “Just hold on. Serena can’t stand pain.” He walked away without looking back. I numbly wiped the blood from my face. Lucian Thorne and Mr. Blackwood emerged from the shadows. Lucian 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. Jaxon 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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