Chapter 2

Later, Tobias spread rumors all over Ravenshire that I was cheating on him, so of course, he locked me up in Hanover Manor.

Whenever the frost and snow came, Tobias would force me to stand outside in nothing but thin clothes, spending the whole night praying for Mary's soul.

Every year on Mary's death anniversary, he'd have his men drag me out to her grave and slap me hard across the face.

They kept going until my cheeks were swollen, my mouth was full of blood, and I finally blacked out from the pain.

For six years, Tobias put on a show of affection whenever people were around. But once the doors closed, he made my life a living hell.

I was on the verge of losing it, and Tobias had already gone off the deep end.

Sometimes I felt like the only thing keeping him alive was his hatred for me.

I once thought that maybe, just maybe, if I showed him enough kindness and love, I could help him climb out of that pit of grief.

But all I ever got in return was an even more icy glare from Tobias.

He was like a blade forged in ice, slicing my heart into pieces and leaving them frozen and shattered.

Any love I once had for him was long gone, worn away by the endless pain of every single day.

Finding a stand-in who resembled Mary was just giving him another reason to keep going.

As for me, I was done loving him.

Sarah Wilcox, my handmaid, helped me keep my balance.

"Lady Rebecca, the glass lamp you crafted yourself fell," she said softly.

I forced a smile, but it was tinged with bitterness.

Just the thought of having to face those two again made my chest tighten.

But that lamp meant too much to me. I had no choice but to turn back.

As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, I was met with Tobias's mocking gaze.

He looked me up and down, then let out a cold laugh. "Weren't you acting all tough, saying you'd leave right away? So what are you doing back here?"

He said, "Do you plan to stay here now? Fine by me. That place over there suits you just fine."

Tobias pointed at the drafty, run-down doghouse.

I pressed my lips together, kept quiet, and tried to sidestep him to head inside.

Tobias's expression turned icy as he reached out, blocking my path.

"Rebecca, you're not part of Hanover Manor anymore. I'm not letting you inside to disturb Diana," he said coldly.

He sneered. "I told you already, if you don't want to leave, you can stay in the doghouse. It suits you, a disgraced and pathetic woman."

I halted, fixing Tobias with a steady gaze. "I just need to grab my stuff, that's all."

Tobias stood his ground. He did not yield.

While we were still facing off, a piercing scream suddenly came from inside the house.

Tobias froze for a split second, then darted in like the wind.

I followed right behind him.

Tobias rushed over, scooping Diana into his arms in a panic, his hands trembling a little as he carefully checked her injured ankle.

"Diana, how did you hurt your foot? Does it hurt a lot?" he asked, his voice thick with worry and tenderness.

Diana nestled closer to him, her voice soft and pitiful as she whimpered, "It really hurts..."

Even though I'd stopped loving him, watching Tobias fuss over Diana like that still sent a dull ache through my chest.

I gritted my teeth, looked up at the lamp hanging high above, and stepped onto a stool to reach for it.

Just as my fingers brushed the edge of the lamp, Diana whined, "Rebecca, why'd you put the lamp up so high? I only wanted to see it, and I fell trying..."

Tobias's voice went cold in a flash. "Rebecca, why did you hang the lamp way up there?"

I hesitated for a moment, then took hold of the lamp. Once I had it, I was ready to walk out.

When Tobias saw I wasn't reacting, his anger only burned hotter.

He clenched his jaw and lunged, making a grab for the lamp in my hands.

I clutched the glass lamp tightly to my chest, twisting away from him to keep it safe.

To my surprise, Diana suddenly reached out for the lamp as well.

Without thinking, I bumped into her, and she immediately tumbled to the floor.

Her eyes welled up with tears as she said in a small voice, "Rebecca, I was just trying to help you get it. If seeing me fall makes you happy, then I guess that's fine."

Tobias completely lost his temper. Catching me off guard, he slammed the lamp out of my arms with a rough swipe.

The lamp hit the ground, shattering, pieces scattering all over the floor.

Tobias barked, "It's just a worthless lamp. What's so precious about it? If anything happens to Diana..."

My ears buzzed so loud I couldn't hear a thing Tobias was yelling.

My heart was crushed to powder, just like that lamp, nothing left but broken pieces.

Amid the broken shards, a rolled-up scroll grabbed everyone's attention.

Tobias frowned, picked it up, and unrolled it.

On the scroll was a young man on horseback, looking radiant and full of life.

Written on it were the words, "Tobias, I want to be the light that guides you forward."

Tobias froze for a moment. Suddenly, he remembered the spring festival years ago, when I handed him the lamp, my cheeks flushed with shyness.

Back then, what I gave him was the pure, naive love of my youth.

Tobias rolled up the scroll, his face going pale.

"Why did you hide this one?" he asked, his voice trembling a little.

I couldn't help but laugh, but it tasted bitter as hell.

I replied, "Since I'm not in your heart anymore, this painting doesn't matter either."