Chapter 3
When Dad found out, tears streamed down his face as he pounded the table. “How could Camden do something like this? Melody, it’s all Dad’s fault–I’m so sorry. sweetheart!”
I’d lost my mom when I was little, and Dad had raised me through blood, sweat, and tears.]
Sure, they called him the casino king, but he couldn’t compete with the Thornes‘ overwhelming power.[]
Mr. Thorne only wanted Camden to marry me because he had his eye on my gambling skills–wanted me to make money for them.[]
But I couldn’t forget Dad lying in a pool of blood in my past life. I never wanted to get tangled up with Camden again.[]
Besides, he wanted to have his cake and eat it too–marrying both of us. Absolutely disgusting.[]
“Dad, don’t worry about it. Marrying that driver’s gotta be better than being Camden’s side piece,” I said, gently rubbing his back.[]
At least if I married the scarred mute driver, my tendons would stay intact and Dad would be alive and well–that was enough for me.[]
So I showed up at the Thorne mansion as promised.[]
Since Camden never wasted time, that very night I got dragged to the laundry room and told to wash the entire household’s clothes.
The washing machine had been deliberately removed. Looking at those massive tubs of clothes, I had no choice but to scrub by hand.[]
I’d grown up learning gambling from Dad. To feel cards and shake dice properly, my hands had been kept soft and delicate.
But now, soaking them in ice–cold water, constantly scrubbing piles of clothes, plus being allergic to the detergent–my hands quickly became raw, swollen, and painfully inflamed.
Just as I’d finally finished washing everything through the pain, the door suddenly burst open.
Scarlett sauntered in, not even looking up as she tossed the clothes in her hands at me.
“Just changed out of these. Wash them properly.“]]
The bright red silk dress had white stains on it that were pretty damn obvious.[]
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I couldn’t stand looking at it, so I lowered my eyes and put the dress in the water. But the moment I started scrubbing, the fabric tore.]]
A piercing shriek suddenly cut through the air. Before I could react, Camden came charging in and shoved me aside.[]
Scarlett timely collapsed into his arms, tears streaming as she accused, “I saw Melody doing laundry and asked her to wash mine too, but I think she hates me so much she deliberately ripped my dress.”
“It’s just a dress, no big deal, but it was the birthday gift you gave me. I’m so heartbroken, Camden…”
She even squeezed out a few more tears, looking so pitiful it made Camden’s heart ache.
“Melody, I knew well you’d never change–always finding ways to pick on Scarlett. What, haven’t learned your lesson yet?“]
His gaze was ice–cold as he grabbed my wrist, right where the raw skin was. The pain suddenly made me whimper.[]
Tears of pain spilled out, dripping onto Camden’s hand. For a split second his touch gentled, confusion flashing in his eyes.]
Just as he was about to say something, Scarlett spoke up sweetly, “Melody, why aren’t you using the washing machine? Why wash by hand? Look how raw your hands are–Camden’s gonna feel bad!”
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At her words, Camden’s expression darkened. Then he roughly threw my hand away, eyes full of disgust. “Playing the victim, huh? Trying to make me feel sorry for you? Dream on! Since you love hand–washing so much–bring me all the servants‘ dirty clothes. Let Melody wash to her heart’s content!”
Basin after basin of filthy clothes got carried in by the staff, filling the room with an unbearable stench.[]
Camden wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Get all of this spotless tonight. Don’t even think about sleeping until it’s done!“]
With that, he brushed past me with Scarlett in his arms. She didn’t forget to throw me a taunting smile over her shoulder.[]
After they left, I numbly scrubbed away at the clothes, tears falling despite myself]
By the time dawn broke, I’d finally finished everything.
My hands were swollen beyond recognition, covered in festering wounds and tiny red rashes–absolutely horrifying to look at.]
I dragged myself back to my room exhausted and collapsed, only to be woken by commotion outside. Rubbing my eyes, I looked out the window–in the courtyard, Scarlett was clinging to Camden’s arm, acting cute.
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Chapter 3
“Camden, since Melody ruined my dress, let’s call this payback. This white fox has such gorgeous fur–it’d make a beautiful scarf.”
A snow white fox lay there with its limbs bound, struggling and crying pitifully.]
Camden sighed helplessly, leaning down to kiss her forehead affectionately. “Whatever you want.“[]
Then he called to a nearby servant: “Go kill it and skin it. Save the pelt to make Scarlett a scarf.“[]
“Nor
1 snapped wide awake! Stumbling outside, I clutched the little white fox protectively to my chest.[]
“Camden, that’s Snowball! It’s the Snowball we found together, raised together–how can you kill him?“[]
Snowball was a white fox Camden and I had found during a high school camping trip.[]
Back then, Snowball was just a kit, separated from his mother, didn’t know how to eat or clean himself.[]
To keep him alive, Camden fed him milk at regular intervals every day.[]
The young master who was usually such a neat freak didn’t mind using cotton swabs to clean up his waste.[]
Camden had even promised me, “When Snowball grows up, let’s get married, okay? We’ll have him carry our rings at the wedding.“[]
Those beautiful memories shattered against the twisted faces in front of me.]]
- go.
Id kept silent even when my tendons were sliced in my past life, but now I was on my knees, sobbing as I begged, “Camden, please, I’m begging you–let him It’s Snowball, the baby we raised like our own child.“[]
Won the Betrothal But Lost at Love
