Chapter 1

The day I returned to the Johnston family was the day I discovered I was their true daughter.

Meanwhile, the so-called heiress, Vivian Johnston, was already an internationally acclaimed violinist.

To protect her feelings, my birth parents decided to tell everyone I was just their adopted daughter.

The Johnston and Sullivan families had arranged a marriage for their children in earlier years. But Vivian wanted nothing to do with Kyle, the notorious playboy.

My parents, however, were more interested in the Sullivan family's resources.

So, they forced me to marry him instead.

"Elsie, marrying Kyle is the best thing that could ever happen to you. Gotta know what's good for you," my mother snapped.

On our wedding night, I forced a bitter smile at the man everyone said was in love with someone else. "I know you didn't want this either. Let's not interfere in each other's lives, okay?"

But he walked toward me, his eyes locking onto mine with a deep, unreadable intensity. Then, a sly smile appeared on his lips.

"No way," he said.

After we got married, he put away all his old reckless ways and reserved every bit of his affection and tenderness for me alone.

All along, I was the one and only person he cherished most in his heart.

*****

I sat in my chair, gazing out the window at the white blossoms, lost in my own thoughts.

I never imagined the kind of stuff on TV would actually happen to me.

The day my grandmother was laid to rest, my real parents, the Johnstons, found me and held me tight with tears.

"Sweetheart, you've been through so much," my real mom, Mary Johnston, cried as she hugged me.

But honestly, I never felt like I'd suffered.

I had the best parents anyone could ask for.

My adoptive father would let me ride on his back, make kites for me, and play pretend with me for hours.

My adoptive mother would sew me dolls out of scraps, tell me bedtime stories, and cook something nice for me.

I was soaked in love growing up.

"Did you ask Elsie what she wants?" Kyle suddenly spoke up.

Kyle's voice broke the warmth that had settled over everyone.

I snapped back to reality and realized everyone was staring at me.

Mary stood up and came over, her cold fingers wrapping around mine. "Elsie couldn't even finish high school. She should count herself lucky to marry Kyle. It's a blessing for her."

"A blessing?" Kyle sneered, glancing at Vivian, who was quietly fiddling with her nails. "If this is such a blessing, would Vivian even want it?"

The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

Mary suddenly squeezed my hand so hard that her nails were nearly digging into my flesh.

God, that stung!

But what stung even more was her words that I couldn't even finish high school.

The truth was, I left school on my own to work when my grandma got really sick.

I looked up at Kyle, his eyes boring into me, anger simmering just beneath the surface.

Was he angry because he had to marry someone who never even finished high school?

My chest suddenly tightened.

I lowered my head, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm willing."

"Damn!" Kyle suddenly cursed.

He kicked the chair, sending it crashing to the floor.

Amid the noise, he immediately turned to me, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not angry at you."

He paused, then added, "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

"Kyle Sullivan!" Kyle's father, Benjamin Sullivan, barked, his voice sharp.

Kyle's mother, Teresa Sullivan, jumped in with a smile, trying to smooth things over. "Kyle is not mature." She looked me up and down, her gaze gentle but with a hint of calculation. "Elsie's so quiet and sweet. Maybe her gentle nature is exactly what he needs to rein in my hothead son."

Benjamin paused, then turned to Kyle. "It's your call."

Kyle leaned back on the couch, crossed his legs, and let his gaze linger on my hands, which were slightly trembling.

"Her, then," he said.

And just like that, I ended up marrying Kyle.