Chapter 1

Edward married me to avoid any rumors about him and his stepsister.

We'd been married for three years, but those two were always sneaking around.

I couldn't care less, but just played the perfect Mrs. Grant.

Until the day he caught me taking birth control pills and blew a gasket.

Face all twisted up, he grabbed me and demanded to know why.

I just said, calm as ever, "Because I don't love you."

The man I did love was put in the ground by you a long time ago.

Everyone knew that Edward married me to avoid any rumors about him and his stepsister, Emily.

Their relationship was so ambiguous that their family sent Emily overseas.

Edward didn't say a word, but simply proposed to me, the woman who had quietly stayed by his side for three years.

I was full of hope. And with a wedding dress that was ill-fitting, I married him.

Everyone gossiped behind my back, saying that once Emily came home, I'd be kicked out for sure.

But by the third year, Edward seemed to treat our marriage like it actually meant something.

He'd kiss me in the morning and cling to me in bed.

He'd also wrap me up in his arms late at night, making love to me like nothing else mattered.

In those dreamy moments, Edward would whisper in my ear, "Let's have a baby who looks like both of us."

Back then, I indeed believed that this charade would never end.

It wasn't until the day I was really pregnant.

I hadn't even told Edward about that yet when a text from a friend popped up on my phone.

[Emily's back. Edward went to pick her up at the airport.]

In the photo, he was holding her in his arms, like she was his whole world.

The day after Emily got back, the Grant family threw a welcome party for her.

It's said that she turned down the marriage alliance Grant family had arranged, and insisted on calling her own shots in the love department. That really upset the elders.

As Edward walked in with his arm around me, his aunt was nagging Emily.

"Emily, listen to me. Mr. Carter's got great prospects. Though he's almost as old as your dad, he's willing to help your dad's company through its tough times."

Her father's business was failing. It was almost on the verge of collapse.

Emily kept her head down, idly poking at her food with her fork.

When she saw Edward walking in, her eyes welled up with tears, and she ducked her head again. She really looked hurt.

Someone nearby teased her, "Are you still hung up on your brother? He's been married for ages now..."

"But considering how close you two are, if you turn to him, he'd definitely help you out."

Edward shot the guy a cold look. "Cut it out."

Then he turned to me, his gaze practically dripping with affection. "Rae's the boss at home now."

Everyone laughed, joking that Edward was so protective of me. They said that we were the picture of a perfect couple.

Nobody found that ever since Edward saw Emily's eyes turn red, his arm around my waist had been stiff as a board.

Hearing that, Emily shot her gaze straight at me, her eyes brimming with tears.

After we sat down, John, a distant cousin, jumped in with a teasing grin.

"Emily, it's not the time to be choosy."

"How about you being with me?"

"I may not be as loaded as Mr. Carter, but at least I'm young and full of energy."

"If you keep me entertained, I'll keep you in cash."

Edward took a deep drink of the wine. The veins on his hand stood out.

Edward felt uneasy inside.

Emily's face turned pale, and her tears spilled over uncontrollably.

Her gaze lingered on Edward for a moment, then she spoke softly,

"I'll take care of my own business. I absolutely won't let Edward worry about me."

"Take care of it? How are you gonna do that?" John scoffed.

"What? Are you gonna count on your nearly bankrupt old man, or that silly dream of yours about painting? Don't make me laugh."

Edward set his wine glass down on the marble lazy Susan with a soft click.

He still wore a faint smile, but his eyes had turned ice-cold.

"Emily's business is hers to decide," Edward said.

A sudden chill settled over the table.

Emily kept her head down, focusing on the plate of greens in front of her.

John probably felt like he'd lost face. And with the alcohol hitting him, he sidled up to Emily.

"Emily, loosen up a little."

"Yeah, maybe I was blunt just now, but the logic still stands."

"Why put on that holier-than-thou act? Come with me tonight. You won't regret it."

Emily slammed her fork down, the clatter echoing through the room.

The next second, Edward rose to his feet. Not in any rush. He even took a moment to tug at his cuffs with deliberate elegance.

He walked over to John, and patted him on the shoulder.

John, caught off guard, was just about to smile.

Suddenly, Edward grabbed him by the back of the collar and hurled him hard into the empty chair nearby.

John, totally blindsided, crashed to the floor in a mess, letting out a cry of pain.

The room went stone-cold silent.

All that broke the silence was Emily's choked sobs.

Edward stood over the guy on the floor, looking down with a cold gaze. His voice was chillingly calm. "Don't you hear me? Emily's business isn't for outsiders to butt in."

He leaned in, staring right into John's terrified eyes. "If your ears aren't doing you any favors, maybe you'd be better off without them."

The whole place went dead silent.

The elders wanted to say something, but Edward shot them a glare then they all held their tongues.

Without thinking, I stood up, reaching out to stop him.

"Stay out of it," Edward said.

His voice was low, but it left no room for argument.

My hand froze in mid-air, then I slowly lowered it.

Just then, Emily cried her eyes out, and ran straight to Edward. She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

"Edward..."

"Edward, please don't do this. You're scaring me."

"Can we leave here, please?"

"I don't want to be here..."

Her tears drenched his shirt.

Just like that, Edward's whole murderous vibe fizzled out in a split second.

Emily was trembling in his embrace. He glanced down at her, and softly stroked her hair.

"Alright," Edward murmured, his voice gentle.

"Let's go."

He didn't look at anyone else.

Holding Emily as she cried her heart out, Edward walked straight out of the banquet hall.

He left me alone to face the chaos and those watchful eyes.