Chapter 3

Scarlett could actually stand there and watch her own daughter drown in the icy lake, not even flinching the whole time. With a heart that cold, she wasn't even human. She was a beast.

Scarlett was ruthless, but Kamden, who let her get away with it, was just as ruthless.

When Kamden married me, he was just a disgraced scholar from a ruined family. My father looked down on his poverty and refused to let me marry him. Kamden knelt outside our house for a whole day and night, begging for this marriage until my father finally relented.

Over the years, with my family's support, the Camacho family was brought back from the brink.

When Kamden married me, he swore he'd never cheat on me. I shot back, "If you ever get involved with another woman, we'll split up. I'll take my entire assets back to my family, not leaving a single coin behind for the Camacho family."

In Thornwick City, the marriage customs were unique. If a couple separated, the husband had to return the wife's entire assets, no exceptions.

If the wife died and left no children behind, her family could reclaim the assets. But if she had kids, the assets would go to them, which basically landed in the husband's pocket.

Kamden went quiet for a moment, then started pouring out all kinds of sweet talk, swearing up and down he'd never take another woman.

Turns out, Kamden kept every word in mind. Since I'd laid down the rules from the start, he'd never let me walk away. He just couldn't let go of the fat assets I brought in.

Kamden wanted the cash, Scarlett, and a legitimate heir. That made me the roadblock in their plans. They were just itching for me to drop dead, so they could finally be rid of me.

By putting Faith under my name, once I was gone, she'd get every penny of my assets. My family couldn't touch a cent, since I'd technically have a daughter to inherit it.

Talk about scheming. What a bunch of cold-blooded planners.

But Kamden, you knew losing my daughter shattered me, and you still twisted her death to plot against me.

The year Sadie died, I was drowning in grief, crying until my eyes were swollen shut, barely able to breathe.

However, you were off hooking up with your side chick. Sadie was your daughter too.

'Kamden, you're a real piece of work. Scarlett isn't even human, but you're even lower. You two filthy dogs deserve to rot in the ground with Sadie.'

I pulled the curtain shut and took a leisurely sip of coffee. "It's so easy to get sleepy in a carriage.

"I've been dozing the whole way, but I'm still tired. Just wake me when we get to the city. I'll nap a bit more."

Julia nodded. "Yes, Mrs. Camacho."

Julia was puzzled. 'Mrs. Camacho had been alert the whole trip, so why act like she was tired? And that girl who fell into the lake, normally, Mrs. Camacho would never just watch and do nothing.'

Julia couldn't make sense of it, but if Tess said so, that was the end of it.

Scarlett watched the carriage roll away, feeling like she'd just been struck by lightning.

She stood there, frozen in shock. 'How could this be happening? Why the hell didn't Tess do something?'

It felt like a thousand-pound boulder was crushing Scarlett's chest, making it harder and harder to breathe.

Scarlett's neck moved stiffly. She didn't want to look, but she couldn't stop herself. The moment she saw that tiny figure in the icy water, she lost control, her whole body shaking uncontrollably.

Scarlett screamed, the sound piercing and blood-curdling, "Faith."

Scarlett rushed toward the icy lake, her steps frantic and uneven. Halfway there, a stabbing pain shot through her lower abdomen, nearly doubling her over.

Scarlett's screams shattered the quiet of the woods, echoing out for miles.

Sitting in the carriage, I could just barely make out Scarlett's voice behind us. Honestly, I couldn't help but think how pathetic and ridiculous.

'When she decided to use her own daughter as bait, did it ever cross her mind what would happen if Faith wasn't saved? Or even if she was, what if she ended up scarred for life?

'When the carriage didn't stop, any real mother would've dropped the scheming and rushed to save Faith. Maybe Faith would've survived. But Scarlett didn't.

'She just stood there and watched her own daughter drown in the icy lake. And now she's crying? Please.

'She's ruthless, no doubt about it. If she could get rid of me today and snatch my assets, that'd be the ultimate score, killing two birds with one stone.'

Scarlett was willing to gamble her own daughter's life for a shot at wealth and her son's place as the legitimate heir.

For her, that risk was totally worth it. But in the end, Scarlett's scheme blew up in her face.

"Who's crying out like that? It sounds so desperate. Did you hear it, Mrs. Camacho?" Julia asked.

"No, I didn't hear anything. Maybe you're just hearing things," I replied.

Julia lifted the curtain and glanced back, but we were already too far away. She couldn't see a thing.

I squinted a little and settled in, saving up my energy. There was some real drama coming up today.