Chapter 1
C
After marrying into the Wrights, a famous mafia family, as the second wife, I was Milford’s wife in name–but everyone knew the real love of his life was his widowed sister–in–law, Malissa.
He praised me as the perfect partner, a capable, graceful hostess. At his parties, I’d take shot after shot of hard liquor to shield him. Yet, when his sister–in–law so much as sipped a glass of fruit wine offered by another man, he cut the guy’s hand off without blinking.”
He flaunted my photos everywhere, claiming he wanted the world to know how beautiful and dazzling I was. But her? He kept her hidden like a precious secret, locked away where no one could see.
Then, one of my photos leaked. His enemies saw it and I was kidnapped. I called him in desperation, begging him to save me.}
He said, “Lori… Malissa is pregnant with my child now. It’s the only heir I could give my late brother. I have to stay by her side and protect her.”
“You’ll just have to hang in there for a few days. Once her morning sickness eases, I’ll come get you.”}
He never came.
For a full year, I was tortured–violated over a thousand times, my leg broken, my soul shattered.
Still, he never showed up.
When I finally escaped, barely alive, covered in blood and filth, I crawled back home–only to find my daughter locked in a dog cage, emaciated and filthy, eating food scraps.
She was hugging a framed photo of me–my memorial. They had declared me dead.
Meanwhile, my husband was joyfully throwing a lavish party to celebrate the one–month birthday of his and her child, proudly announcing their upcoming wedding.
I held my daughter close, her tiny frame trembling in my arms. Through tears, I whispered to her, “Sweetheart, You don’t need that kind of father. Not anymore.
***
When I stormed into the courtyard of the Wright Clan’s private estate, Milford was gently sliding a vintage gold ring onto Malissa’s finger —the same ring that had been passed down through generations, the symbol of the Wright Clan’s Lady of the House.
At that moment, Milford announced their wedding would take place in three days.
Malissa was holding a newborn baby boy, just a month old. She leaned into Milford’s chest with a bashful smile, playing the part of a glowing new mother, perfectly in love. The picture of domestic bliss.
Milford tumed to smile at the crowd. Then, that’s when he saw me.>
Even with my face caked in blood, barely recognizable, he knew it was me. After all these years after everything–he still recognized me.
Shock flickered across his face, followed by something I hadn’t seen in so long: joy. Real, raw joy. He looked like he was about to run toward me.
“Lor-”
However, Malissa quickly grabbed his sleeve, her voice soft and full of quiet desperation.§
“Milo…” There was something in her tone that made him stop cold. Like she was reminding him of something. Something bigger than me.c
He froze. Whatever name he was about to say–whatever memory had surged forward–he swallowed it.
Just like that, the look in his eyes shifted. From elation… to guilt. Then confusion. Then fear.”
Around us, the guests who had been cheering and offering toasts slowly turned to stare. Their smiles faded when they saw me–drenched in blood, barefoot, broken.
Someone muttered, loud enough for others to hear, “Who let a filthy, crazy woman in here? This is supposed to be a celebration–what a damn omen.“%
བ ཟ ཤ ༠ ༥
Another whispered, louder, “Wait… she looks like Lorraine, right? The one Milo said died a year ago?“>
“Didn’t he say she was kidnapped by enemies? That he mourned her for months? Thank God Malissa was there to comfort him–she helped him through it, they fell in love, had a baby… and now they’re finally happy again.”
I almost laughed. Dead wife? Funny, I didn’t realize I had died.
The murmurs were getting louder now, rippling through the shocked crowd.
“Wart… is that really Lorraine? She’s not dead?”
Then doesn’t that make Malissa the other woman? She stept with her brother–in–law while his wife was still alive?“%
“Lorraine’s clearly alive and breathing and Malissa still jumped into bed with him the second she had the chance…“!
The words hit Malissa like a slap. Her face went pale, her eyes flicking to me with a look of barely concealed resentment. She had recognized me too
Tears welled up in her eyes and she reached up with trembling fingers, pretending to take off the jade ring. Her voice cracked with practiced heartbreak.
“If that’s what everyone thinks. Milo, I don’t want the ring anymore. Cancel the wedding. I’m just a widow–I can’t bear that kind of shame. I never wanted to ruin anything. I just wanted to be by your side. You and the baby that’s all I ever needed.“1⁄2
Milford’s heart broke right on cue. He immediately grabbed her hand and slid the ring back onto her finger, his voice low and full of false
tenderness
11:41 AM B tenderness.
8
“Lisa, don’t say that. Don’t even think it. You gave the Wright Clan a son–an heir. You’ve done more for this family than anyone else. That ring, that title…. they belong to you.”
I stood there, stunned. Wide–eyed.%
I couldn’t believe this… Milford, you once told me our daughter was the only rightful heir to the Wright legacy.
But now, you were doing this??
11:42 AM
