I once willingly played the part of a caged bird, pampered by Henry for four years. Only when I lost my wings and could no longer fly did I realize that when a man becomes heartless, he can't even remember who you are. He turned around and became my brother-in-law. I schemed to ruin his wedding. Between him and me, there's an account that can never be settled, with love entangled in hate. The greatest mistake of my life was falling in love with him, yet I have never regretted it. I only ask the heavens: Why does love not favor me, but favors him instead!
I learned young that money builds walls. Not everyone starts on the same line. The smart ones? They find shortcuts. Like my sister.
While I stayed stuck in that crumbling farmhouse with Dad, she moved to the city with Mom and never looked back. Got herself a shiny new life.
But whatever.
See the man she's obsessed with? Yeah, he's in my bed right now. He's got those pianist hands - long, strong fingers that could probably make you forget your own name with one touch. No wonder my sister, the Little Miss Perfect can't stop throwing herself at him.
In the dead quiet of the night, a low groan escapes him. Things crest, then dissolve into nothing.
When it's over, he just gets up. Wordless. Heads straight for the shower.
I light a cigarette, lean back against the headboard, body stiff. Silently counting down until he walks out.
This isn't a hotel suite. It's just one of Henry Smith's many estates. Mine? Call it a gilded cage.
Yeah. He's my sugar daddy. Doesn't matter how much I try to pretend otherwise. I'm the idiot who fell for the man paying the bills.
The worst kind of fool isn't the one selling her body - it's the one handing over her heart to a guy who only sees a toy.
Four years. Sex. That's all it ever is. No connection. Doesn't matter how good things feel in the moment; he always pulls back. Shuts down. And I'm the one left sinking deeper.
Even when things got reckless, when we skipped the condom, he always snapped back to reality before the point of no return.
He would never let someone like me have his child.
True to form, my cigarette wasn't half gone before he was dressed and heading for the door.
Still naked, not bothering with modesty, I called out, "Henry."
The most I got? A pause in his step. He didn't even glance back.
Staring at his retreating back, the question I'd choked on all night finally clawed its way out: "Heard you're getting engaged? Who's the lucky debutante?"
Silence. Long enough to make me wonder if I'd actually spoken aloud-if that burst of courage only happened in my head.
Then, footsteps again. Fading away.
When I looked up, he was turning the doorknob.
Maybe my face gave me away, maybe he sensed the desperate need for an answer. He finally spoke, his voice cold, detached: "Know your place. That's not something you need to worry about."
My throat tightened, but I forced a brittle smile. "Relax. Just wanted to know what kind of wedding gift to chip in."
He gave me a long look, like I was a puzzle he couldn't quite solve - the same way I'd never cracked him. Then, just like that, the flicker of interest died. He left as cleanly as he arrived.
The engine purred to life outside. A moment later, only the heavy silence of the night remained.
Wrapped in a sheet, I stood by the window, staring into the swallowing darkness.
Suddenly, I remembered our first meeting. Another autumn night. Cool, but not cold.
That year, my dad got jumped during a botched robbery. Took a pipe to the head. The guy got away. No insurance. No money for the hospital. So, I swallowed my pride and went to City H, begging my mom for help.
Turned out it was the night of my sister Lena Carter's big-shot graduation party. Their mansion was overflowing with glittering people.
I was stuck outside their ridiculous palace, security eyeing my worn jeans like I was carrying the plague. Out back, Lena was posing in her cap and gown, flashing that camera-ready smile. She saw me. Looked right through me like I was smudged glass. Didn't even tell them to let me in.
Desperate, I grabbed the arm of the first guy walking past who looked important enough. Begged him to pretend I was his plus-one.
Back then, I thought I'd grabbed a lifeline.
Turned out, I'd latched onto a knife - and it dragged me straight down.
Chapter 1 Chapter 1 The Gilded Cage
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Chapter 2 Chapter 2 The Truth
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Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Sisters' Rivalry
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Chapter 4 Chapter 4 The Trap
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Chapter 5 Chapter 5 The Breaking Point
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Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Shattered
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Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Scorch Marks
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Chapter 8 Chapter 8 The Trap Snaps Shut
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Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Perish together
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Chapter 10 Chapter 10 A sudden turn
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Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Something shady
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Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Double Strike
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Chapter 13 Chapter 13 I'm pregnant
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Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Continue the wedding
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Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Forced marriage
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Chapter 16 Chapter 16 How vicious!
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Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Too late
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Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Framed
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Chapter 19 Chapter 19 Grandpa wants us to go back
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Chapter 20 Chapter 20 Let's get a divorce
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Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Never divorce
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Chapter 22 Chapter 22 Out of reach
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Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Stay away from trouble
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Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Disaster
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Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Misfortunes never come singly
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Chapter 26 Chapter 26 Desperation
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Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Hiring a killer
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Chapter 28 Chapter 28 Life is at stake
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Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Rebirth
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Chapter 30 Chapter 30 Who will win
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Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Acting
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Chapter 32 Chapter 32 Call me mom
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Chapter 33 Chapter 33 In August
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Chapter 34 Chapter 34 Just watching from the side
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Chapter 35 Chapter 35 Like a stray dog
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Chapter 36 Chapter 36 Mysterious Old Lady
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Chapter 37 Chapter 37 Grandma, it's me
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Chapter 38 Chapter 38 Threat
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Chapter 39 Chapter 39 Show sincerity
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Chapter 40 Chapter 40 Bully the weak, fear the tough
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