Chapter 1

The Hall and White families had been enemies for generations.

Chase Hall took thirty lashes in the family hall just to marry me, and he almost died.

But in less than three months, he regretted it.

He thought I was too dull and coaxed me into agreeing to an open relationship.

He said, "It will last for five years. After that, we'll settle down and focus on our family."

I fought, I cried, I went crazy, but Chase was just indifferent, and his lovers never stopped coming and going.

Four years and eleven months into our open relationship, his lover, Yolanda Scott, and I were at the police station again.

I didn't make a scene this time.

I wiped off the black dog's blood that Yolanda splashed on my body.

Then I went along and signed the settlement agreement.

Maybe Chase was satisfied that I was finally being so quiet.

He personally drove me home for the first time.

When we waited at a red light, he smiled and reached over to touch my cheek.

He said softly, "Why are you so good this time? If you'd acted like this earlier, it would've saved us a lot of trouble."

I silently moved away from his hand.

If I'd acted like this earlier...

I hated myself for realizing this too late.

The last time, Yolanda broke into my studio and set fire to everything I'd painted.

I was furious, totally lost it, called the police, and made sure she ended up behind bars.

No matter how much Chase tried to threaten or bribe me, I refused to let go.

I only want Yolanda to be punished by the law.

Then I got my wish.

But it didn't take long before my painting got slapped with the plagiarism tag, and I was dragged through the mud all over the internet.

The art association quickly expelled me, even revoking all my past awards.

Other artists gossiped behind my back, and buyers started demanding refunds.

In those days, I was like trash in the art world. Everyone was out for blood.

At school, my old students looked at me with disgust.

I was sinking into depression.

Desperate, I swallowed my pride and begged Chase for help.

He held a cigarette, a smirk on his face. He said coldly, "Nianna, haven't you figured out who did it yet?

"Whoever I dote on is a treasure. No one can bully Yolanda.

"This is just a little lesson for you, so you'll think twice next time."

He patted me on the head, like I was nothing more than a dog he wanted to teach a lesson, telling me to be good.

Chase had been cheating on me for four years, but I still couldn't believe it.

How did the boy who was willing to give up even his place as heir, just to marry me, end up like this?

But at that moment, I realized something with absolute clarity.

I didn't love him anymore.

The green light was on, and Chase pulled his hand back, his voice casual and nonchalant.

He said, "Yolanda's still young, and she's carrying my baby. Try to cut her some slack.

"There's only one month left. I don't want her to get hurt.

"Nianna, do you understand?"

There was a warning in his tone, but somehow, I blurted out, "What about the baby?"

Chase was stunned for a second, then reached out and patted my head, laughing at me because I was jealous.

He said, "Of course, the baby will be aborted.

"Only you could give birth to my baby, Nianna. Happy now?"

I just nodded and replied, "Got it."

As the car pulled up to our home, Chase glanced at the house, a touch of nostalgia showing on his face.

He said, "I haven't been back for a long time.

"But soon, I'll live here forever."

He turned to look at me, his eyes unusually gentle. "Nianna, just bear it a little longer.

"Thirty days later, I'll be all yours, heart and soul.

"I'll be a husband that's yours alone."

My expression stayed calm, but my stomach churned with disgust.

Chase had indeed not been back for a long time.

He didn't even notice that I didn't live here anymore.

I took a taxi back to my current apartment and immediately showered.

No matter how hard I scrubbed, that nasty smell just clung to me and wouldn't come off.

This afternoon, Yolanda broke into my classroom with her crew.

She splashed dog blood on me and cursed me a homewrecker, accusing me of shamelessly going after her man.

In front of hundreds of students, I was shaking with anger.

But even then, I calmed down and showed our marriage certificate and wedding photos right there in front of everyone.

Then I called the police right away.

Chase came, and even if he knew the whole story, he still chose to protect Yolanda.

That's just how Chase was. When he loved someone, he'd spoil her rotten and make her feel like she ruled the world.

When Chase loved me back then, he was truly devoted.

He didn't care about the feud between our families. He'd kneel outside my family's house every day, just to see me.

At that time, my heart ached for him, asking him if it was really worth it.

He hugged me and replied, "If I can marry you, nothing else matters. It would be worth giving up everything."

After that, every affair he had was out in the open. He made sure everyone knew about it.

He'd lavish them with cars, houses, jewelry, and even put on drone shows and fireworks, all for the spectacle.

Yolanda was just an ordinary one among his endless mistresses.

Unfortunately, the White family went bankrupt.

I had no leverage left to argue with Chase.