Chapter 1

Everyone said Devin loved me madly.

Yet the moment my long-lost sister returned, he banished me to a godforsaken mountain village.

He claimed he wanted me to reflect on my sins.

Three years later, Devin stared at my crippled leg in utter shock.

He confessed his mistakes and begged to take me back.

I stroked my belly and told him to get the hell out of my sight.

1

When Devin finally found me, I was limping on my ruined leg, scavenging for scraps.

Word had spread that a wealthy VIP was visiting the village, drawing everyone away. That gave me a rare chance to sneak into the mayor’s house for food.

From a distance, a voice called out my name.

“Leah?! Leah Miller?!”

I ignored it and kept stuffing cold leftovers down my throat. An opportunity to eat was rare, and only a fool would stop.

The food hit my hollow stomach, easing the violent hunger cramps. Even when my belly stretched painfully, I kept shoving food into my mouth, bite after desperate bite.

Who could have imagined that three years ago, I was Chicago’s most pampered, envied heiress? Now, I was starving and living worse than a stray dog.

All of this was a gift from my former fiancé and his scheming secretary.

My parents, who once doted on me relentlessly, had swallowed their lies whole. They sent me to this desolate hellhole to “reflect,” cutting me off completely for three agonizing years.

Did they even know what this place was?

It was a forgotten backwater where most brides were bought and traded. Women here had zero dignity, surviving only under relentless beatings and abuse.

Suddenly, a powerful grip yanked me backward. I instinctively ducked my head, my bruised body trembling uncontrollably.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to! I was just so hungry... please don’t hit me...”

The man stared at me in sheer disbelief. “Leah, what are you doing?”

“It’s me. I’m Devin!”

Devin? The name sounded distant, but of course I remembered. He was my fiancé―the very man who had thrown me into this nightmare.

My mind felt sluggish. I slowly lifted my head, staring blankly at the handsome man before me.

It really was Devin. My ex-fiancé, the architect of my three-year living hell.

Behind him stood the other culprit, Chloe, gagging dramatically while pinching her nose.

Hearing her distress, Devin immediately spun around and pulled her into his arms, leading her away from my stench.

He kissed her forehead gently. “Don’t look, babe. It’s disgusting. Don’t let her ruin your dress.”

Then, he turned back to glance at me with conflicted eyes. “Come on. You’ve suffered enough for three years. We’re taking you home.”

Home? Could I really leave this cage?

Using my cracked, frostbitten hands, I awkwardly wiped the grease from my chin. I instinctively shrank back, desperate to hide my scarred, broken body.

Once, I was a prized diamond. Now, I was nothing more than mud beneath their designer shoes.

In silence, I dragged my twisted leg and limped behind them, finally stepping out of the prison that had held me for so long.

Inside the luxury car, Chloe tilted her head and asked if I had lived well over the past few years.

I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep, refusing to answer.

I wondered why I felt no joy at the thought of returning home.

The only thing inside me was pure, burning hatred.

I hated them both. Devin and Chloe had hooked up behind my back, and to cover their tracks, they framed me for attempted murder. My own parents believed their slander and condemned me to three years of torture.

And then there was Jesse.

My sweet love, I was finally leaving... but what about you?

What were you going to do without me?

Seeing my silence, Chloe bit her lower lip, feigning hurt. “Leah, I was just checking on you. I...”

Devin was fiercely protective of her. Seeing her look so wronged, he grabbed my arm and yanked me up with brutal force, nearly making me fall.

I instinctively wrapped both arms around my stomach.

“Chloe is talking to you! Did three years in the dirt teach you nothing? Do you still think you’re the princess everyone has to cater to, huh?!”

His eyes locked onto my ruined leg with sudden fury and resentment, clearly disgusted by how pathetic and broken I looked.

Clutching my aching belly, my face drained of color as I whispered, “I heard her. I’m fine.”

Devin opened his mouth to snap again, but Chloe tugged on his sleeve. “Let it go, Devin. She just got back. Whatever mistakes she made in the past are behind us now.”

Devin shot a brief, suspicious glance at my hands shielding my stomach before wrapping Chloe in a warm embrace. For the rest of the ride, they whispered sweet nothings to each other, acting as if I didn't exist.

I stared at the backs of their heads, dark thoughts swirling in my mind.

What would they do if they realized the woman they brought back wasn’t broken, but consumed with vengeance, ready to tear them limb from limb?

They wouldn't notice a thing.

I told myself to stay quiet and lurk in the shadows until the perfect moment to strike.