Chapter 1

I am the eldest legitimate daughter of the Gallagher family, a prominent military household. Since childhood, I stayed by my father's side, guarding the rugged borders of the North.

When I returned to the Capital for my arranged marriage, I discovered my older brother had taken in a distressed showgirl from a high-end burlesque club. He was completely whipped, doing whatever she asked.

He even agreed to let her steal my identity and marry the young Marquis in my place. The two of them conspired to orchestrate my tragic demise.

Given a second chance at life, I decisively handed over the position of the Marquis's wife without hesitation.

I just want to see if my dear brother will regret it when his precious darling marries the Marquis, only to face the gallows when her husband is caught staging a treasonous coup against the Crown.

1

"You've been out in the wild borders for years, and your manners are completely vulgar. You lack the basic elegance expected of a high-society lady in the Capital."

My older brother, Carter Gallagher, frowned deeply. His tone was full of accusation, though he tried to mask it with a hypocritical look of brotherly concern.

"Why don't we let Quinn marry Marquis Rowan Lancaster in your place? She grew up in the Capital and has impeccable etiquette, making her a far better fit for him than you. That way, you can return to the borderlands. Haven't you always preferred the freedom out there anyway?"

I lowered my eyes slightly, hiding the freezing glint of malice in my gaze.

In my past life, he used this exact same high-sounding excuse to force me into giving up my engagement. He claimed it was all for the sake of the Gallagher family's reputation.

But the Quinn Sinclair he praised as "cultured, gentle, and generous" was no nobleborn lady. She was nothing but a top-tier courtesan he had bailed out of a notorious red-light district brothel!

She was a manipulative bitch draped in a fragile disguise, yet he was completely mesmerized and obedient to her every whim. For her sake, he didn't hesitate to push me into a corner.

"Nyla Gallagher, if you want to blame someone, blame yourself for standing in her way!"

After my so-called "good brother" Carter crippled my limbs, he threw me into the filthy slums with his own hands.

A pack of desperate vagrants swarmed around me, extending their filthy, greedy hands toward my helpless body.

My loyal maid, Aria, fought tooth and nail to protect me. She threw herself in front of those beasts, desperately shielding my broken frame as tears streamed down her face.

"Don't be afraid, My Lady. Even if it costs me my life, I will keep you safe."

She was brutally torn apart by that mob of thugs, trading her own flesh and blood to give me the fleeting chance to end my own suffering on my terms. Otherwise, I wouldn't have even been able to leave this world with my dignity intact.

"Sister, I know you look down on me."

Quinn kept her head bowed, her voice soft and dripping with feigned grievance. "But I never intended to steal anything from you. If you truly find me to be an eyesore, I... I might as well just fade away forever."

As she spoke, she pulled a sharp hairpin from her hair. With red-rimmed eyes, she made a dramatic show of aiming it at her own throat.

"Quinn! Stop this nonsense at once!" Carter rushed forward immediately, grabbing her hand with a tone full of heartache. "What the hell are you doing?"

Hearing this, Quinn instantly looked up at Carter like a wronged little doe, her eyes brimming with tears. "Brother Carter, I just feel like she despises me!"

At that moment, Aria stepped forward, her face pale with fury. "Young Master, she is nothing but a―"

"Shut your damn mouth!" Carter roared, shooting her a freezing glare.

"A mere servant dares to disrespect her betters! Guards, drag her away―"

I let out a cold scoff, cutting him off mid-sentence. "Who dares to touch my people?"

Carter froze, and a flash of panic crossed Quinn's eyes. I took a step forward, firmly pulling Aria behind me.

"You want me to agree to this? Fine. But I have conditions. Quinn Sinclair will marry the Marquis strictly under the title of the 'adopted sister of the Gallagher family.'"

"This..." Carter's expression shifted slightly, seemingly weighing the pros and cons of the deal.

I paused for a moment, fixing my piercing gaze right on him.

"And you must petition Father to renounce your right of inheritance to the Gallagher household. I won't have anyone tying your shady affairs back to our family in the future."

Upon hearing this, Carter's face darkened drastically, and he clenched his fists. "Nyla, you're pushing me into a corner!"

"You don't have to agree. After all, you're the ones begging me."

Conflict and anger violently intertwined on Carter's face. Finally, he gritted his teeth and spat, "Fine! I agree. But you better keep your word!"

"Don't worry." I curled my lips into a mocking smile. "I just hope neither of you regrets this down the line."