As the illegitimate daughter in a household that scorns her, Emilia has learned to endure a life of cruel whispers and cold glares. But her fate takes an unexpected turn when her spoiled half-sister disappears on the eve of her arranged marriage. The family forces Emilia to wed the rumored crippled and disfigured groom in her sister's place—an ominous task they hope will rid them of her for good. Yet, when Emilia meets her new husband, Damien Blackwood, she is stunned. This mysterious man is neither crippled nor disfigured. Instead, he’s handsome, powerful, and hiding secrets as dark as her own. With the Blackwood family’s treacherous history looming over them, Emilia realizes she has entered a world far more dangerous than her own home—a world where alliances are built on lies and love can turn into a weapon. As she delves deeper, Emilia uncovers shocking secrets that link her family’s downfall to Damien’s ruthless kin. Now, torn between the man she’s come to trust and the whispers of betrayal around every corner, Emilia must decide: will she seek revenge on those who’ve wronged her or fight alongside Damien to claim her rightful legacy? In a game where love, power, and loyalty are tested, Emilia must face her past to shape her future… even if it means risking her life.
Emilia
The door slams shut behind me as I stand in the dimly lit corridor, still feeling the weight of my stepmother's words like a stone sinking into my chest.
"I've come to discuss an important matter," she had said earlier. And now, as I digest the true nature of her visit, I realize just how far she's willing to go to ensure her own survival.
Everything about her demands reeked of manipulation. It wasn't enough for her to control me; now she was setting her sights on the very foundation of Damien's family.
I'm still shaking off the sting of the confrontation, the sharp edges of her words still cutting through me. "You don't belong here, and you never will."
She had made it clear that she believed me to be nothing more than an inconvenience—an obstacle in her way. And yet, her eyes had gleamed with a familiar, calculating glint. She wasn't just threatening me; she was looking for a way to profit from it.