Chapter 1 “Trust me! I’ll take care of you and make you the happiest and most honored woman in the world!” The man’s firm promise echoed in her ears as Elysia Thorne shook her head in panic. “No, no… Ah…” With a sudden surge of strength, the man pushed forward and Elysia let out a scream and fell unconscious out of pain. When she came to, the room was empty, but the lingering scent of their intimate moment still hung in the air. Tissues strewn about and clothes in disarray told the tale of the madness that had just occurred. She bit her lip and clutched the sheets, her vision gradually blurring with tears… She was a married woman, and was here at the airport to pick up her husband. But she just lost her virtue just like that before she could even see him! What did this mean? Was this infidelity within her marriage? How was she supposed to face the world now? How could she face her husband? If she told him she came to the airport to pick him up, that there had been chaos, and in the confusion, a man had dragged her into a dark lounge where this unspeakable act happened… Would he believe her? Would he still accept her? Could their marriage continue? Tears fell uncontrollably from Elysia’s eyes. She didn’t know what she had done wrong in a past life to deserve such a fate. She had grown up without the love of her parents, her life a complete mess. She had hoped to change her destiny through education and had finally made it into her dream college, but she was only to be forced by her foster parents to marry. It was her sister Daphne Thorne who was meant to enter this arranged marriage, but because had forced Elysia to take her place. the groom–to–be was disabled. Her foster parents couldn’t bear to see their biological daughter suffer, yet couldn’t refuse the generous dowry, so they used years of obligation to coerce her into marrying in her sister’s stead. From dropping out of college to getting engaged and married, no one had asked for her opinion. 18:41 Chapter 1 No one had asked if she was willing. They had decided for her and thus destroyed her education and future. She had cried and bemoaned, but ultimately, she had capitulated to reality. They said women would live a second life when she got married, and escaping that cold family was a good thing. Since she was married, she decided to be a good wife. For two years, her husband Tarquin Bradford had been abroad for treatment of his leg, and she had lived in the house alone, never once straying. This marriage, which she had exchanged for her education and future, was her new life, and she treasured it. But now, on the very day of Tarquin’s return, this had happened. What was she to do? Her cell phone suddenly rang. It was the housekeeper from home. “Mm, the master has asked for you to return.” Elysia’s heart skipped a beat, her anxiety welling up. “Is he back home already?” “Yes, ma’am, the master came looking for you and left when he saw you weren’t there. Before leaving, he asked you to come back to sign some papers. He… he’s asking for a divorce.” Elysia’s mind went blank as if a bomb had gone off inside. Tarquin wanted a divorce? She knew Tarquin was unhappy with the marriage; he had been absent on their wedding day and had remained distant ever since. They had been married for two years without ever meeting face to face, without even knowing what the other looked like. But in those two years, he hadn’t treated her poorly. He had taken care of her every need, and when she was sick, he made sure the staff looked after her. Despite being miles apart, she could feel his concern. She thought Tarquin just didn’t like the idea of an arranged marriage, not that he didn’t like her. If she could just be a good wife, they could live like any other loving couple, caring for each other through the rest of their lives. But now… “Ma’am, you needn’t be too upset,” the housekeeper said excitedly. “The master has left you this villa, two luxury cars, and a whole lot of money.” But how could Elysia not be upset?