Chapter 1

I was the Zimmerman family's daughter, the one everyone in the kingdom called a fool for love.

After I schemed my way into marrying General Zimmerman, he showed up on our wedding day with another woman, declaring he wanted her as his second wife.

That woman was the Zimmerman family's second daughter, switched at birth, who had lived in my place for fifteen years.

Now, she was clinging to my husband, crying her eyes out and begging me to let them be together.

All eyes were on me; they were waiting for my reaction. Even my parents were signaling for me to accept.

So I gave them exactly what they wanted. "Fine," I said. "Take her in. But in return, I will take a companion of my own. A woman should not have to lie alone at night."

I pointed casually to a driver standing among the servants and smiled, watching their faces.

My husband, Jayson Zimmerman, thought I was being spiteful. "Very well," he sneered. "I agree. But tonight, do not dare ruin our wedding night with your tears."

Jayson had no idea. I had been waiting for this day for a very long time.

The moment Jayson agreed, the whole room went dead silent. In Wionelle, a man with two wives was nothing new, but two husbands and two wives was a first.

Everyone was wearing these weird, almost gleeful smiles, while my parents looked like they were about to lose their tempers right there.

They tried to salvage the situation. "General Zimmerman, this is supposed to be a joyous union between our families. How can you let Wrenlee cause a scene like this, and even indulge her by allowing her to take a driver as her male companion?"

They thought, 'Wouldn't we become a laughingstock?'

Jayson shot me a cold look. "If Wrenlee wants it, then let her have it. She thinks both our families owe her, and she won't stop making a scene until she gets what she wants."

He added, "If letting her have a driver means she won't ruin the wedding and I can be with Yulianna tonight, then let her be."

My so-called sister, Yulianna Lambert, snuggled up to Jayson, acting all sweet. "Yeah, Mom, Dad, if you don't let Wrenlee have her way today, how are Jayson and I supposed to have our wedding night?"

If she hadn't been grinning as she'd won the lottery, maybe people would've bought her act. But the smug look in her eyes gave her away; she was just gloating, plain and simple.

Of course, my parents didn't notice a thing. They shot me a nasty glare, but in the end, they let it happen.

The four of us went through the wedding ceremony. Then Jayson's servants helped the driver into my room ahead of me.

Outside, people were raising their glasses and celebrating all around the place. The wedding was in full swing.

Yulianna and I were escorted to our own rooms.

Before we parted ways, Yulianna called me. "Wrenlee," she said, her smile was sweet, but it didn't reach her eyes.

She added, "You were smart enough not to make a fool of yourself by going up against me. At least you didn't lose too badly."

I looked at her in silence, not saying a word.

Zara Waters, my maid, was fuming beside me, her breath coming in short, angry bursts.

I grabbed Zara's arm to hold her back. She was still as impulsive as ever and she was always ready to stand up for me. I wouldn't let her start a fight.

I gave Yulianna a polite smile. "You've been living under my name all these years, and now you have the nerve to snatch my husband right in front of me. I guess I'm not as cunning and shameless as you."

I added, "But Yulianna, Zimmerman Manor has never had a true mistress. After tonight, who's going to run the Zimmerman family's affairs? Jayson's already slighted me once; surely he won't keep doing that, right?"

After leaving Yulianna with something to chew on, I walked away with Zara.

Once we were out of sight, Zara started grumbling. "Ms. Yulianna Lambert is just a maid's daughter, nothing more. If her mother hadn't swapped you two at birth, you never would've had to suffer like this."

She went on, "Mr. and Mrs. Lambert are so blind. They always believe whatever Ms. Yulianna Lambert says and end up making things hard for you.

"I'm so pissed. One day, I'll make that woman pay for everything she's done."

Zara was only thirteen, and her innocence showed on her face; she couldn't hide anything. That was probably why, after following me into the Zimmerman family, she didn't survive more than two years.

Just thinking about her body, swollen from soaking in the pond, made my heart ache. I squeezed her hand and gave her a gentle smile.

I said, "Zara, it was my fault before. I was all bark and no bite, and that's why you had to suffer alongside me.

"But don't worry. From now on, I'll do everything I can to protect you. We'll stick together and get through this, no matter what."

With that, I pushed open the door and stepped into my room.

The driver I picked was sitting stiffly on the bed. When he saw me, he rose silently, his thick beard shadowing eyes that were deep and impossible to read. His voice was rough as gravel as he greeted me, "My lady."

Xavier Carpenter was a servant I bought from a slave trader about a month ago.

While everyone else was big and strong, Xavier caught my eye. He curled up in the corner, clutching a cane. I headed straight for him.

The old woman running the place rushed over to block me. "Trust me, miss, you don't want this one. He's sick, badly hurt. Buy him and he probably won't last long."

I paused, feeling a little bitter. I got my second chance too late, with no cheating skills, and I couldn't even get myself a trusted aide.

Just then, I heard Xavier's voice, barely above a whisper. "Please, buy me."

He looked ashamed, gritting his teeth, but his eyes were steady and determined as he met my gaze. "I-I'm useful."

Maybe it was that look in his eyes, or maybe something else, I ended up buying Xavier anyway.