Chapter 1

On the night of their wedding, Judy Blake sat in distress at the edge of the bed. Jenna didn't want to marry the disfigured eldest son of the Reid family, so their father had Judy take her place. Subsequently, she was treated as a bride unworthy of being presented to the public. She married into the family without a wedding and guests of any kind. As for her own family, she felt utterly heartbroken by their actions. The sound of the door being pushed open interrupted her thoughts. She lifted her head and was met with a gentle yet piercing gaze of a man. Clark Reid. Her husband whom she had just married. He had a tall yet slender build,and sharp features. He felt like a hawk in the night—solitary yet domineering. His handsome face had been forcibly ruined by a scar that stretched from his forehead to his jaw. It made him look more aggressive. Under his sharp gaze, she instinctively averted her eyes. All of a sudden, Clark spoke bluntly. "You're not Jenna Blake." The woman in front of him was evidently more beautiful than Jenna. Judy began to make hand signs at him out of habit. "What are you doing?" He asked as he furrowed his brows. She stopped before realizing that he couldn't understand sign language. She offered him an awkward smile and pulled out the notepad she carried with her, jotting down her words for him. The next moment, she saw his eyes turn cold. "What does Matthew Blake mean by this?" He scoffed. "He's fully aware I asked for Jenna, yet he sent me his mute, illegitimate daughter?" The words 'mute' and 'illegitimate' made Judy's breath hitch in her throat. She lowered her eyes slowly before her chin was forced upwards by the man. "Does the Blake family take me for a fool?" His fist tightened. What if he kicks her out because he's mad? What would they do about her grandmother's medical bills then… Judy tried to explain, but under his cold and emotionless gaze, she could only feel her chest getting tighter. As he watched her gaze grow dull, Clark spoke abruptly. "Take it off." Is he… Does this mean he wasn't kicking her out? Her initial joy was soon washed away by anxiety over what's coming next. Her palms were sweating slightly due to how nervous she was. Clark took her hesitation as a form of refusal and said lightly, "Although I am extremely unhappy about the swap, you've already married into the family. So, you should carry out the duties of a wife." She bit her bottom lip and forced herself to gradually take off her clothes. Afterward, she suppressed her embarrassment and lied on the bed, with her head facing the other way. A shallow laugh rang out from beside her. "I meant for you to undress me and help me with my bath." Her pale face flushed red in an instant. She shot up and immediately began dressing herself. Clark cruelly watched as she made a fool out of herself. Upon noticing this, mild anger poured into Judy's eyes. Was it amusing to toy with her like this? The man narrowed his eyes slightly. "What are you still standing there for?" He said with a deep voice. She suppressed her emotions and slowly approached him. Then, she started taking off his clothes. When it came to the trousers, she bent down and accidentally grazed him. His hand immediately flew to her wrist. "Are you trying to seduce me?" He threatened her. Judy froze, then shook her head. Her bright and clear eyes reflected confusion. Clark stared at her as memories of another pair of bright eyes flooded his mind. Then, he thought of the Blake family who was responsible for destroying them. With a sinister laugh, he spoke, "I wasn't planning on touching you tonight. However, if you're feeling too lonely, I suppose I can indulge your desires."