Chapter 1

I, Emily Carter, was having my eighteenth birthday and also my wedding night.

My adoptive parents sold me to the Knight family for three million dollars, to raise money for their dying real daughter, the so-called true heiress, Sophia Carter.

My husband, Nathan Knight, was the heir of the Knight family. People said he was a living devil, violent, bloodstained, ruthless.

At that moment, he clamped around my throat, pinning me against the cold wall.

Darkness swam before my eyes. Fear crushed my heart.

The words that leave his mouth were sharper than the coldest wind. "Behave yourself, or I'll make your life a living hell."

Tears fall without permission.

I thought I was done for.

As I thought I was about to die here, a completely different voice exploded inside my head. 'Is she crying? Was I too harsh?

'But Mom said that if you like someone, you have to act tough, so she'll stay by your side and won't run away.

'Am I squeezing too hard? Her neck is so thin. What if it breaks?'

I froze.

What was that? Was I hallucinating?

*****

The grip on my neck suddenly loosened, fresh air flooding my lungs as I gasped and coughed hard.

Nathan stepped back, towering over me, his face twisted in an irritation I couldn't quite understand. "You junk, why are you crying?"

He was scolding me, but the voice in my head was a complete flip from his harsh words. 'She looks so pitiful. Her eyes are all puffy and red from crying.

'It's all my fault. I'm such an idiot. I made my wife cry on our wedding night.

'How am I supposed to make it up to her? The books say girls like shiny things. I've got plenty in my room. Should I give her some?'

I stood there, totally frozen, my mind wiped blank.

Wait, was I really hearing his thoughts?

This freaked me out way more than the idea of him killing me.

The man in front of me was drop-dead gorgeous, like God's favorite creation, but he gave off a vibe that screamed: "Keep your distance."

His lips were pressed into a thin line, his brows drawn together in a sharp, angry crease. He looked seriously annoyed.

But inside, his thoughts sounded like a big golden retriever who'd messed up and was totally lost.

The wild gap between his outside and inside made me forget to be scared for a moment.

"What are you staring at?" Nathan snapped, more irritated, though his ears were quietly turning red. "Keep staring, and I'll gouge your eyes out."

He thought, 'Why is she staring at me?

'Is it because I'm so damn good-looking?

'She must be totally captivated by my looks. Yeah, my wife's got great taste.'

I was totally speechless.

Was he for real with this ego?

I was still trying to process this insane reality as I hesitantly spoke up, my voice rough and scratchy from being strangled. "I... I'm thirsty."

Nathan scoffed, turned around, poured a glass of water from the table, and shoved it into my hand without a hint of gentleness. "Drink."

He thought, 'Drink up, quick. It'll help your throat. You were coughing so much now, you must feel awful.

'Is the water too little? Should I grab her some more? But she looks so thirsty right now.

'I should've thought ahead and had water ready. I'm so useless.'

I cradled the glass in my hands, lowering my head to hide the chaos swirling in my eyes.

Was this ruthless, bloodthirsty devil actually a soft-hearted, insecure, socially awkward guy? Seriously?

This world was way too unbelievable.

I took small sips of water, my mind spinning a mile a minute. I remembered my adoptive parents' heartlessness, Sophia's illness, Nathan's unpredictable temper...

Emily, Sophia, Nathan... Why did these names feel so familiar?

Suddenly, it hit me.

Weren't these the characters from that love-hate romance novel I binged before?