Chapter 1

Everyone in the Betrico knew I was Marquis of Northgate, Edward Harrington's childhood sweetheart.

He never forgot how I shielded him from a falling beam during that fire, leaving my left hand crippled for life.

For me, Edward publicly turned down the princess, Alexandra Simons's engagement, and swore he'd never take another woman.

But later, I realized that while Edward was gently applying medicine to my wounds, he was also sneaking off to a hidden room, setting off fireworks with the real culprit, Vivian Linwood, who started the fire.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back in that moment, the night the fire raged out of control. This time, I closed the only way out with my own hands.

*****

The scorching heat slammed into my face, making my cheeks feel like they were on fire.

Edward was still struggling beneath the beam, his eyes filled with a desperate will to live. "Charlotte! What are you spacing out for? Help me."

I gave him a cold stare.

I stepped back, crossing the threshold.

Edward froze, clearly not expecting me to react like this. "Charlotte! Are you out of your mind?"

I reached out and grabbed the heavy wooden door.

Under Edward's terrified gaze, I closed the only way out with my own hands.

"Charlotte, what are you doing? Open the door!" Edward was pounding on the door like crazy from inside.

"The door's broken, Lord Edward," I replied, my voice steady through the door. "Stay put. I'll go get help."

With that, I walked straight into the night without looking back.

The night breeze brushed against me, and I felt completely liberated.

Vivian was the one who started the fire, all to test whether Edward truly cared about her.

In my previous life, I shielded them from disaster.

This time, I would let Edward experience the depth of devotion for himself.

I walked over to the tree outside the courtyard and quietly watched the blaze spread.

The servants at Northgate Manor were finally jolted awake.

"Fire! The west wing is on fire."

The gong thundered through the night, and everyone rushed over, carrying buckets.

I messed up my hair and rubbed soot all over my face.

I dropped to the ground, pretending to be absolutely terrified. "Help! Save Lord Edward. He's still inside."

The servants rushed over, trying desperately to force the door open.

The brass lock was burning hot; no one could touch it, let alone open it.

In the end, a few guards rammed the door open with a heavy log.

When Edward was carried out, he looked nothing like himself.

His right leg was smashed and bloody from the beam, and his back was badly burned.

Edward was out cold, but still groaning in pain.

I pushed my way through the crowd, watching him like that, and I couldn't shed a single tear.

The royal physician was summoned to Northgate Manor in the middle of the night.

The manor was in utter chaos, and Edward's mother, Nina Harrington, kept fainting from crying so much.

I sat in a chair outside, coldly watching the whole circus play out.

That was the moment Vivian came running in.

She wore a plain white dress, tears streaming down her face, looking as delicate and pitiful as a flower in the rain. "Edward, how are you?"

She threw herself at the bedside, reaching out to hold Edward's hand.

Nina shoved her aside, snapping that she was nothing but a bringer of bad luck.

Vivian dropped to the floor, looking up at me with big, sad eyes. "Charlotte, weren't you with Edward when it happened? Why didn't you save him?"

As soon as she said that, everyone in the room stared at me.

I sneered, stood up, and walked right up to her.

Without a second thought, I gave her a sharp slap across the face.

The slap rang out, and the whole room fell silent.

Vivian held her face, dazed and in shock.

"Who the hell are you to come at me with your accusations?" My voice was ice-cold; there was nothing gentle about me now. "The fire was so fierce that when the beam collapsed, I nearly got killed.

"I'm a weak girl; how could I ever move something that heavy?"

Vivian covered her face and burst into tears, looking like she had been totally wronged. "I just care about Edward, Charlotte... Did you have to slap me like that?"

Right at the moment, Edward let out a muffled groan on the bed.

He woke up.

The moment he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Vivian, in tears.

"Vivian, don't cry." His voice was hoarse, but the concern in his tone was unmistakable.

I stood off to the side, watching all this unfold, and honestly, it made me want to puke.

Edward turned his head, his expression hard to read as he looked at me. "Charlotte, are you alright?"

His gaze carried a clear hint of blame.

"I'm fine. You're the one who's hurt, Lord Edward," I replied, my tone flat.

Edward took a deep breath. "Why was the door stuck? I was calling out for you."

He was starting to doubt me.

I met his gaze head-on. "It was locked from the outside. I couldn't open it, so I had to go get help."

Edward paused, his brow furrowing. "Who would lock the door?"

I glanced at Vivian. "Ask yourself who in Northgate Manor can't stand seeing Lord Edward and me alone in the west wing."

Vivian's face went ghostly pale.

She threw herself at Edward's bedside. "Charlotte, do you really think I did this?

"I can't even bring myself to step on an ant; how could I possibly set a fire?"

Edward watched Vivian sobbing so hard she could barely catch her breath, and his resolve melted.

He shot me a frown. "Charlotte, stop messing around. Vivian's a scared little thing; don't freak her out."

Watching him play the hero for her, whatever feelings I had left for him vanished completely.

"If you think I'm being ridiculous, then there's nothing more for me to say," I replied.

I turned and walked out.

Edward got desperate and tried to grab me, but the movement pulled at his wound, and he cried out in pain. "Charlotte, stop right there!"

I stopped in my tracks, but didn't turn around. "Lord Edward, focus on getting better. Let's call off our engagement."

The whole room went silent, everyone stunned by my words.

Nina hurried over, trying to calm me down. "Charlotte, don't be so rash. Edward's confused from the fire."

I turned around, meeting Edward's stormy gaze. "I'm not saying this out of anger. Since there's someone else you need to protect, I'll step aside."

Edward locked his gaze on me. "Charlotte, do you know what you're saying?"

I looked at his angry face, and honestly, I couldn't help but find it ridiculous.

Vivian jumped in, making things worse. "Charlotte, please don't be upset with Edward. It's all my fault; if it'll make things better, I'll leave."

She kept saying she'd leave, but she stood there, not budging an inch.

Edward took the bait as expected. "Why would you leave? This is Northgate Manor; let's see who dares to kick you out!"

He turned all his anger on me. "Charlotte, if you walk out that door today, don't think about ever coming back!"

I smiled.

I gathered up my skirt and stepped out the door without a second thought. "Don't forget what you said today, Edward."

I was done being anyone's stepping stone.