Chapter 2

2.

Bennett and I grew up together in the same upscale neighborhood, and both sets of parents had always loved playing matchmakers.

Over the years, my young heart became devoted exclusively to Bennett.

My mother and Mrs. Ford were the closest of confidantes, and they chose a special date to arrange our childhood betrothal.

Years later, the Ford family business was targeted by ruthless competitors and nearly plunged into bankruptcy, but my parents stepped in and saved them.

Because of that rescue, someone harbored a deep grudge against my family.

While driving out to negotiate a business contract, my parents' car was deliberately rammed off a highway overpass.

From that tragic day on, I became an orphan.

Feeling that our social standings were no longer equal, I offered to break off the childhood engagement.

However, Mrs. Ford took pity on my vulnerability as a lone girl and adamantly refused my request.

Even though she knew Bennett was hopelessly in love with Lucinda, the daughter of his college professor, she still insisted that he marry me to repay my mother's kindness.

Driven by over a decade of secret, unrequited love, I eventually gave in.

One night, following Mrs. Ford's worried request, I went to a downtown bar to pick up a heavily intoxicated Bennett.

In the cramped backseat of the sedan, he pinned me down forcefully.

He was utterly wasted, staring at my face while repeatedly crying out Lucinda's name in a broken whisper.

The next morning, the moment he woke up sober, he lashed out and cursed me for being a scheming woman.

"Janna, I will never fall in love with a calculating snake like you!"

I tried to defend myself, but he sneered and brought up my past offer to cancel the engagement.

In his twisted mind, that noble gesture had merely been a calculated move of playing hard to get.

In the end, he obeyed his mother's strict orders and officially took me as his wife.

Everyone in high society claimed I was blessed―an orphan girl who managed to marry into an elite dynasty.

They said that even if my husband kept a mistress outside, it did not stop me from enjoying the lavish life of a billionaire's wife.

Yet only I knew that I would have rather never crossed paths with Bennett in the first place.

The Pierce family empire was built from scratch by my father's bare hands, brick by brick.

Because he had suffered so much poverty in his youth, my parents showered me with double the love and protection growing up.

On the day of the crash, my mother died instantly on impact.

My dying father lay on the emergency bed, clutching my trembling hand tightly.

"Janna, Bennett is a flawed man, but as long as his mother stands by you, your future will remain comfortable and secure."

"Seeing that you have a powerful family backing you, I can finally close my eyes and join your mother in peace..."

Things appeared that way on the surface.

Because Mrs. Ford was watching, Bennett maintained a facade of mutual respect in front of the public, no matter how much he despised me.

Beneath the veneer of marital bliss lay a bone-deep agony that only I had to swallow alone.

Maisie's arrival in this world became my only emotional anchor and reason to live.

Yet now, for the sake of his pet bird, Bennett had allowed even our precious daughter to be stolen from me by death.

My entire universe had completely collapsed.

This marriage had been nothing more than a cold transaction from the start.

I gained a superficial shield, while Mrs. Ford secured a reputation for loyalty and gratitude.

My poor daughter was the only living link in this hollow bargain, and ultimately, its greatest casualty.

Now that she was gone, it was time for me to walk away forever.