Chapter 1

I first saw Rowan Lake at the birthday party of the Marquise of Eversteady. He was perfect, and from that moment, I fell for him completely.

For five years, I hid in the shadows like a phantom, watching him from afar, hoping to catch a glimpse of his gentleness, even if only in my dreams.

Then, I ended up marrying him. Even after I got pregnant, I was still on edge, always walking on eggshells to keep our marriage together.

But he tapped my nose and teased, "Silly girl, we're having a baby. Why are you still so insecure?"

Yeah, it had been two years since we got married. But he didn't know that I got our marriage by hurting my sister, Lucia Ross.

*****

Lucia Finch cried out, "Lord Rowan, Celeste is nothing but a venomous bitch. Two years ago, she schemed to leave me stranded outside and then stole my marriage.

"I don't expect to rekindle things with you, but I demand justice. I want her to face me in court and demand my dignity."

I never thought Lucia would come back.

She was as graceful and beautiful as ever, poised and confident, standing in the empty courtyard without a hint of fear or arrogance.

That was what a true heiress should look like, not like me, always petty, suspicious, and never able to hold my head high.

Rowan Lake stood right beside me. I couldn't bring myself to look at his face. I quietly placed my hand over my belly, hoping he would let the kid be safe, for the sake of blood ties.

Rowan snapped, "Lady Lucia, you immediately stir up trouble in my house the moment you came back. If you really were lost for two years, shouldn't you go home and greet your elders first? I'm sure your father is worried sick.

"Someone, escort Lady Lucia back to her home."

Rowan didn't give her a chance to argue. He ordered his men to knock Lucia out and send her straight back to the Finch residence.

With that done, he resumed his warm, mild look and glanced back at me. "Dear, I'm starving. How about seafood stew for dinner tonight?"

I nodded, still in a daze.

I was Celeste Finch. I told Rowan my father loved me deeply. But I never told him how he really treated me. And I never confessed to him that every word Lucia said was the truth.

Before I married, I lived in the servants' quarters. Back then, everyone called me a bitch.

My father always said I was rotten from birth, inherited all the bad from my mother, the woman my father beat to death right after I was born. I never knew what she was really like.

But maybe she really was cruel, because I often caught myself thinking the nastiest things. Sometimes I believed my father that I must have really taken after her.

For the next few days, Rowan carried on as if nothing had ever happened. He went about his duties at the palace, ate meals with me, slept by my side, and chatted with me like always.

It was as if our lives hadn't changed at all.

I dared not bring it up. I only wished to live these good days a little longer. Even one more day would be enough. After death, I would willingly face whatever punishment I deserved.

*****

Then came my father's birthday party. He personally sent over an invitation.

Rowan looked at me and asked, "Do you want to go, dear?"

Honestly, I really wanted to. In my whole life, I'd never truly had the chance to celebrate my father's birthday.

Rowan knew what I wanted before I even said anything. He grinned, "Let's go. I want to go. Someone, bring the keys to the treasury for Celeste."

He told me to go pick out some generous gifts for my father.

But I refused. I wanted to use my money. For a daughter, being able to buy something for her father was the greatest joy in the world.

I came here alone when I got married, with nothing but a wooden hairpin I'd made myself.

But over the past two years, as I managed the household for Rowan, I saved up every bit of the monthly allowance I received as his wife.

It wasn't much, but if I used it all, I could afford a decent gift.

I had someone craft a pen for me with a solid gold body, the finest wolf hair for the nib, and a luxurious box to hold it. This time, I thought it wouldn't be embarrassing to give.

*****

On the day of my father's birthday party, Rowan picked out a pale blue dress for me, but I thought it looked a bit too plain. After some hesitation, I switched to a light pink one. It felt more cheerful and festive.

Rowan paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Well, if you like it, then it's perfect for you."

My father was a man of integrity and kindness, respected by all. His birthday party was packed with guests, lively and bustling, but never chaotic.

I'd been to a few of these gatherings before, so I wasn't nervous at all.

Standing at the doorway, I offered my gift.

The steward glanced at me, then raised his voice. "Lord Rowan and his wife present a solid gold wolf-hair pen as their birthday tribute."

All eyes were on me as soon as he finished, and I could feel the snickering and barely concealed ridicule in their gazes.

Suddenly, panic hit me. I glanced at Rowan, desperate to know if I'd done something wrong.

Rowan didn't say anything. He squeezed my hand, then flashed a smile at everyone. "We picked this out together. It's a little gesture from us to show our respect for our elders, simple as that. What? Don't you all do the same for your parents?"

I couldn't figure out why they were giving me those looks, but deep down, I knew exactly what they meant.

If it were Lucia standing here, things would never have turned out like this.