Chapter 1

Everyone said I was done for when Brandon Price called off our engagement. My reputation was in tatters after five years of dating him. No man would want a woman like me. When Brandon had a new girlfriend, everyone around us expected me to beg him to get back together. Little did they know that I had volunteered for an arranged marriage with a family in Porthaven City, in place of my little sister. Before I got married, I returned the jewelry chest that Brandon had gifted me and an empty coupon card that he had offered me when we were younger. I left without taking anything with me. It wasn't until the day before Brandon's engagement that he finally thought of me. He asked, "I haven't heard about Reegan Rowland in a while. Is she dead or something?" I was dead inside. At that moment, I was being kissed awake by my new husband. Felix Fullman rasped, "Good girl, Reegan. We've agreed on four times a day. Not one fewer…" … Brandon and I hadn't seen each other for three months. When we met again, Brandon suddenly brought up marriage. The final time we met, I accidentally overheard him telling his friends that he was sick of me. Laughter erupted in the room. People laughed at me for subjecting myself to his whims in our five-year relationship to keep him happy. Despite my efforts, I was dumped at the end. The three months back home at the Rowland residence were tough for me. My dad, James Rowland, had beaten me up quite badly a few days ago. The wound in my back still hurt until today. When Brandon called me, he gave me a sliver of hope. After putting on the bracelet that I wore at our engagement, I hurried over to meet with him. Brandon was a little tipsy when I arrived at his villa. I found him lying on the thigh of a young woman. His eyes were closed. The woman looked innocent, like a student. She was massaging his head, but upon seeing me enter, she scrambled to get up. Brandon stopped her by grabbing her wrist. "Just sit." He didn't even open his eyes. Tightening his grip, he forced her to fall on him. She obediently lowered her head and allowed him to kiss her. Brandon released that woman and held her chin as he deepened his noisy kiss. I stood at the entrance helplessly while clutching onto my bag. It took me a while to gather myself. While pretending to be calm, I looked out of the window. "I'll take a walk in the garden and come over later." Immediately, Brandon chortled. The woman thoughtfully stood up and offered, "Why don't I leave instead? She can stay." Brandon did not stop that woman. He toyed with her hand for a bit before reluctantly letting go. "It's cold out there. Don't fall sick." Covering her mouth and giggling, she nodded at him. Her dark, lustrous hair covered nearly half of her blushing face. She politely greeted me when she walked past me. I nodded at her and returned the smile. The woman was very young. Her eyes were bright, and her demeanor was bashful. She reminded me of my little sister at home. "Reegan, come here." Brandon patted the spot beside him on the couch. Colorful light streamed down from the lavish and gigantic chandelier, illuminating Brandon's chiseled features. He looked surreal under the lights. The scene put me in a daze. I felt indescribably upset. His flirty eyes reddened under the influence of alcohol. I saw the hickeys all over his collarbone and neck areas under his unbuttoned collar. "The woman just now is Jenna McKay." I nodded. "Yeah. I know." "What do you think of her?" I pondered carefully and replied in seriousness, "She's innocent, pure, and obedient." Nodding, he asked, "She's just like you from five years back, don't you think?" His callous remark took me by surprise.