Chapter 3

3

"Fiona, you heard about them looking for a bride, didn't you? Let me tell you, don't get tricked just because you're about to graduate."

"Their grandson already has a girlfriend. But his mother is old-school and stubborn. She refuses to accept her and wants a girl from the country who's easy to control."

"She thinks a country girl will be better for breeding. It's obvious she just wants someone she can bully. Besides, the son isn't going to listen to his mother forever!"

Those few words solved all my doubts. I thanked her and hurried home.

My mother probably knew this, but she was too arrogant. she figured she could dominate the Galloways the same way she dominated us.

Otherwise, she would have tried to push me onto them, not Lana.

In this house, I was the one who was always sacrificed.

I pushed down the bitterness and walked into the house with a smile.

As soon as I stepped inside, a heavy ceramic mug flew through the air. It hit me square in the forehead, drawing blood instantly.

I didn't even try to dodge. I wiped the blood away and gritted my teeth.

"Dad, Mom, what happened?"

"You worthless brat! We told you to cook, and you've been running around all day? Don't think your fancy education gives you wings. You'll be a slave to this family forever!"

My mother sneered at me. I only got to go to college because the villagers convinced them it would make me more valuable so I could send more money home.

But over the years, they never stopped thinking of ways to sell me off for a good price.

I couldn't get angry. I couldn't repeat the mistakes of my past life. I repeated that to myself as I held up the meat.

"Dad, Mom, Grandma, I saw we were having a celebration, so I bought some good steak for us!"

Seeing the food, my mother's anger vanished. She gave a grunt of approval. My father ran over to pick up the mug, smiling at me.

"Fiona has always been a good girl."

That smile made my skin crawl. It was always like this―one parent playing the villain, the other the hero. But my father was the real wolf in sheep's clothing.

In my last life, he was the one who coldly disposed of my body, hiding me behind the walls of the tool shed.

I felt a soul-deep fear of him, but I kept my cool and walked into the kitchen.

As I washed the vegetables, tears hit the leaves. I hadn't even realized I was crying.

After dinner, Lana had calmed down. She had fully accepted her new status as a bride-to-be and was already dreaming of a wealthy future.

Seeing me working with a scar on my face, she walked over with a look of fake pity.

"Don't be too jealous, sis. I'm the biological daughter, after all. It's only natural for them to look out for me. You should really watch your looks, though. With that scar, you might never get married."

Because of our parents, Lana had always looked down on me. She truly believed I was born low-class and meant to be under her heel.

Grandmother was thrilled. She pushed me aside and stuffed some old jewelry into Lana's hands.

"These are Grandma's treasures. Take them with you. I won't let anyone look down on my granddaughter."

When I needed tuition, we were broke. When Lana was getting married, they were terrified she'd feel slighted.

I was used to it, but it still stung.

They didn't even bother to hide their conversation from me. They excitedly discussed the wedding details, acting as if the deal was already done.