Chapter 2

2

Hearing this, I no longer had the energy to confront them.

Everything was exactly as it had been before.

They had been eyeing my dowry for ages, eager to strip me of everything I owned.

When I refused to hand over my money, those two wretches drugged my food and buried me alive in the wilderness.

I spent two days and nights clawing at the dirt in desperation until my hands were raw and bleeding, my body decaying and smelling of death.

Slowly, the earth claimed me, ants and insects feasting upon my flesh, until I became their sustenance.

The two of them were vicious enough to pack the soil tight, and I eventually suffocated.

Gideon later announced that I had a loose character and had run off with a lover, only to fall to my death.

He pretended to forgive my sins, citing our love, and threw a lavish funeral for me.

Everyone in the capital praised him as a man of deep affection.

Three months later, he used the excuse of helping his late wife care for her sister to marry Beatrix in style.

He spread the legend of my supposed beauty, and the Sovereign, moved by the tale, showered him with promotions and wealth.

After that, the two of them used my dowry to live a life of luxury, becoming the perfect, loving couple.

Just thinking about them climbing to the top on my corpse made my blood run cold, and I trembled with fury.

I gathered every ounce of strength to steady myself and looked at Gideon.

"Fine. A wife follows her husband. I will listen to you, and I will ensure the ceremony is grand so you can welcome your new bride in style."

Gideon was stunned for a moment.

He had not expected me to agree so readily.

Then, a thought seemed to strike him, and he cleared his throat.

"Penelope, I am not a cold-blooded man. Since you have taken a step back, I am willing to do the same. Tomorrow night, I shall stay in your room and let you be a woman for once!"

I was repulsed by him.

Did he think this was some kind of charity or favor?

Ha, who would want to be his woman?

Would I be foolish enough to let him feast on my inheritance until nothing was left?

I kept my expression blank and agreed for the time being.