Chapter 1

The merman I kept betrayed me for a broke university girl.

As punishment, I pulled out ninety-nine of his scales.

Words exploded in front of my eyes, cursing me out.

[How could she do that? His tail was gorgeous!]

[I can't stand this evil side character. Male lead, just run. Go find the kind female lead!]

I laughed softly and packed the merman up, then sent him straight to the broke girl's doorstep.

After that, I kept a pretty floppy-eared were-rabbit instead.

Two months later, the merman rang my doorbell and awkwardly said he missed me.

However, wet kissing sound came through the door.

Inside, a man said breathlessly, "Eileen, is my kissing really bad? Why are you distracted?"

"Be good," I replied. "Don't mind him."

*****

Two workers lifted the tank holding Allen Hargrove into the back of the truck.

The driver stood next to me, nervously rubbing his hands together as he hesitated, then asked, "Miss Conolly, are you really sending him away? Do you want to reconsider?"

I kept a straight face. "Do you ever hesitate when tossing out the garbage?"

He replied, "That's not what I meant. It's just, that place is so poor and rundown. Even getting water is a struggle, let alone a proper circulation system.

"Merpeople are fragile as glass. Do you really think he'll make it out there?"

I looked at the familiar blue tank.

I had placed every single rhinestone on it painstakingly.

I could still feel the sting from the blisters that covered my fingers back then. Now, looking back, it all just felt like a cruel joke.

Allen was my life mate.

He swore he'd always be loyal to me.

But when the school auditorium caught fire yesterday, he didn't hesitate to push me aside, grabbed that impoverished student, and ran out carrying her.

In the chaos, I fell to the ground.

A nail pierced right through my calf, blood gushing out.

In that moment, the cold in my heart stung way worse than the pain in my leg.

Allen knew he'd done wrong. That very night, he apologized but refused to admit his mistake.

I couldn't help but laugh in disbelief, anger bubbling up inside me.

I ordered the servants to rip out the scales from his tail.

His scales, shimmering like crystal, were stained with blood as they fell off one by one.

His face went ghostly pale.

But he just kept repeating, "If I had to do it all over again, I'd still choose to save her.

"She's nothing like you. She doesn't have a fancy background, but she's gentle and kind, like a ray of sunshine lighting up my world."

I gave a mocking smirk. "So, what you're saying is, I'm cruel and calculating, right?"

Allen looked away, silently admitting it.

The night wind was so chilly it cut right through me.

It was so cold, my fingers wouldn't stop shaking.

As the eldest daughter of the Conolly family, all those who could become the sole heir had their eyes locked on me, waiting for a chance to kill me and take my place.

When I was at my most terrified, I even put cameras inside the fridge.

If I hadn't learned how to manipulate and scheme, I wouldn't have survived at all.

All these years, I kept Allen around, giving him the best life possible.

And this was what I get in return.

I closed my eyes.

Any lingering sadness in my heart vanished.

"Fine," I said. "I don't want you anymore, Allen. If you're so into that impoverished girl, then go to her."

I sent Allen straight to her doorstep.

As the truck's engine roared to life, the deafening noise jolted Allen awake.

He struggled to push himself upright and looked at me.

The driver said kindly to him, "You still have a chance. Come on, just say you're sorry to Miss Conolly."

Allen gave a faint, bitter smile.

"I was wrong," he said.

His voice was barely more than a whisper, but it was laced with defiance and sarcasm.

"My mistake was picking someone as selfish as you to be my mistress."

*****

After Allen was gone, I didn't waste a second. I told my people to get me a new life mate.

I'd money and looks. Why should I care about a were-creature?

It was totally not worth it.

I hopped in the car, all set to hit up the were-creature auction.

But then I got a heads-up from an old reporter friend.

My dad's illegitimate kid, Garrett Connolly, had gotten himself into trouble.

Honestly, that just made my day.

I spun the car around and rushed over to catch the spectacle.

Outside the grimy basement, it was pure chaos.

Garrett just got exposed for using were-creatures as guinea pigs in illegal drug tests.

A bunch of beat-up, scarred were-creatures were finally getting pulled out of that hellhole.

Without hesitation, I rolled up my sleeves and pitched in with the volunteers.

The reporters spotted me and instantly trained their lenses on me.

"Look, it's Miss Conolly herself. What a saint!"

"And check out her brother. He's a total disgrace."

Garrett's glare could've set me on fire. I ducked my head, hiding the smirk at the corner of my mouth.