Chapter 1
The engagement between Ethan Wallen, the golden boy of Merville, and me was arranged by our grandfathers.
But on the day of our engagement, he knelt in his family chapel and chose to be flogged ninety-nine times just to call it off.
"Even if you beat me to death, I won't marry her," Ethan's voice rang out across the whole place.
I stood outside the door, hearing every word.
I didn't cry or throw a tantrum. I just ripped up our photo together and, without hesitation, got married to someone else.
Three years later, outside Ethan's company, a little boy tugged at my hand. "Mommy, let's go home."
Right at that moment, Ethan stepped out of the revolving door and stood there, stunned.
*****
Today was the day I was supposed to get engaged to Ethan Wallen.
The Wallen family was the most prestigious in Merville.
Ethan was their sole heir. He was the golden boy of Merville, the one whom everyone listened to.
This engagement was set in stone by our grandfathers back when they were still alive, over a pot of coffee.
No one could defy it.
My name was Winona, daughter of the Sanders family.
In Merville, the Sanders family wasn't at the very top, but we were still a family people knew.
Ever since I was little, I knew Ethan was meant to be my future husband.
To live up to that role, I spent over ten years learning etiquette, fine dining, and even flower arranging.
I did everything I could to become the kind of woman worthy of standing by Ethan's side.
Today was the day of reckoning, the moment to prove if all my years of preparation had been worth it.
The Wallen family's ancestral estate was filled to the brim with guests. Every influential figure in Merville was there.
I sat quietly in a waiting room, dressed in a custom white gown with flawless makeup.
Time slipped by.
The engagement ceremony was about to begin.
But Ethan still hadn't shown up.
I felt my heart sink a little deeper.
The servants nearby started whispering, sneaking glances at me—some with pity, others clearly hoping for a spectacle.
I kept my back straight, my smile unwavering.
The Sanders family's upbringing never allowed me to lose my composure in front of outsiders.
Paul Wright, the Wallen family's butler, hurried in, his face grim as he leaned in to whisper something to Thomas Wallen, Ethan's grandfather.
Thomas's face, always calm and authoritative, suddenly darkened with rage.
He slammed his hand down on the table.
"That damn fool!"
The whole hall went dead silent.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Thomas.
I rose and made my way over slowly.
"Mr. Wallen, did something happen to Ethan?" I asked.
My voice was gentle, with just enough concern.
Thomas looked at me, a flicker of guilt in his eyes, but anger was the dominant emotion.
"He's at the family chapel," Thomas said.
"Get him here now!" Thomas ordered.
Paul looked troubled.
"Mr. Thomas Wallen, Mr. Ethan Wallen... refuses to come," Paul said.
"He said..." Paul trailed off, afraid to say more.
And just like that, whatever hope I'd been holding onto was shattered.
Family chapel.
The Wallen family's family chapel was where they disciplined their own whenever someone messed up.
On the day of our engagement, Ethan went there. The message couldn't have been clearer.
He was telling everyone loud and clear that he didn't want this marriage.
He was embarrassing me, the Sanders family, and even Thomas himself.
Thomas was shaking with rage.
"Get the car ready. I'm going myself!" Thomas barked.
I stepped in front of him.
"Mr. Wallen, let me come with you," I said.
I had to go.
I needed to witness firsthand just how far Ethan would go to avoid marrying me.
I had to finally give up on him for good.
The Wallen family's family chapel was solemn and imposing.
The heavy wooden doors were shut tight.
When we arrived, a few distant relatives and servants were already standing outside the entrance.
As soon as they saw Thomas, they all bowed their heads, not daring to make a sound.
The air was so heavy it was suffocating.
The door was left slightly ajar, just enough for a sliver of light to peek through.
Sounds drifted out from inside.
No one was speaking.
Instead, it was the sharp crack of a whip against skin.
A loud smack was heard.
The sound was dull, but carried a raw, tearing pain.
I stood just outside, every lash ringing clear in my ears.
My fingertips instantly turned ice-cold.
Thomas staggered, and Paul quickly reached out to steady him.
"How many times has he been flogged?" Thomas's voice trembled.
A servant answered quietly, "Mr. Thomas Wallen, Mr. Ethan Wallen said he wants to call off the engagement. He insisted on being flogged ninety-nine times, not a single one spared.
"He's already endured thirty-six lashes."
Ninety-nine times.
That was the toughest punishment the Wallen family had.
It was said that hardly anyone survived being flogged ninety-nine times.
Ethan was ready to die just to break off the engagement.
From inside the family chapel, Ethan's voice rang out, carrying clearly through the heavy doors.
He sounded like he was enduring excruciating pain, but his tone was unwavering.