Chapter 1 Even A Daughter Would Do

On the day Anna Hart was meant to be married, the hall stood decorated and waiting, but there was no groom at the end of the aisle.

Julian Ashford, the man chosen to be her husband, had spent six months in a vegetative state after a devastating car accident. The doctors had given him little time to live, and Anna's mother, overwhelmed by grief, wanted her daughter to at least experience the illusion of a wedding before the end came.

The Ashford family counted among the wealthiest in Avonsville, but no rational person would have agreed to marry a dying man.

Sitting in front of her mirror, Anna carefully adjusted the folds of her white dress. The satin's soft sheen traced the outline of her slender figure, and her delicate makeup brought out the smoothness of her complexion, making her resemble a fragile flower on the verge of blooming. Still, an uneasy glow flickered in her eyes.

Only twenty minutes remained before the ceremony. Her hands shook as she stared at her phone, hoping for a message that never appeared.

Before this marriage had been forced upon her, Anna had loved someone else. That man was Noah Ashford, Julian's nephew. Their relationship had been hidden from everyone, but just the day before, Anna had written to him, pleading for him to take her away from Avonsville so they could begin a new life together. She had spent the entire night waiting for his reply, but no answer ever came.

Unable to wait any longer, Anna stood up, gripped her phone tightly, and left the room, offering only a vague excuse.

In the hallway, a sudden burst of laughter made her stop in her tracks. Through the slightly open door of a nearby room, she heard the voices of her half-sister Mia and... Noah.

"I bet my poor sister is still watching for your message," Mia said with a laugh. "You should go and charm her with a few more sweet words." Then she paused. "What if she changed her mind at the last minute?"

"Do you think she still had a choice?" Noah replied as he hugged Mia. Even if Anna tried to run, they would have dragged her to the altar by force.

Mia's cruel laughter echoed again.

"Wait until she discovers you spend every night with me!"

Anna staggered, dizziness overwhelming her. She steadied herself just in time, tears burning in her eyes. Her fists tightened around the folds of her dress.

Her father, having lost everything, remained bedridden in the hospital. Her stepmother, Alice Hart, had insisted on this arranged marriage, claiming it would save their family. In reality, it had been a cunning way to cast her aside. Now, even the man she had once loved had turned against her, plotting with Mia in secret.

Noah had filled her with promises of a new life once Julian was gone, but those hopes had been nothing more than empty illusions. In the end, everything he had told her had turned out to be a lie.

Crushed but swiftly growing cold, Anna made a silent promise never to let herself be used again. For too long, she had suffered humiliation to shield her father. From that moment forward, she refused to give in to anyone.

A few moments later, the ceremony began.

Dressed in white and clutching her bouquet, Anna made her way to the altar by herself. Beneath the bewildered stares of the crowd, she recited her vows and placed the ring on her own finger. However shocked the guests might be, from that moment on, she carried the Ashford name.

Her husband, once the unquestioned master of Avonsville, now had only a few months remaining in his life.

As evening settled in, Anna was brought to the Ashford manor, a lavish palace standing at the center of the most exclusive district. Mrs. Miller, the housekeeper, escorted her straight to the master bedroom.

Julian lay motionless on the grand bed. Anna approached, an uneasy feeling twisting inside her. His sharp features, high cheekbones, and noble bearing still left an impression, even though his face had grown deathly pale. If he had not been reduced to this state, Anna would never have been forced to become his wife.

Before the accident, Julian Ashford had ruled the powerful Sterling Group, one of the country's ten largest companies. People said he was ruthless in business and even more dangerous in his dealings with the underworld. Anyone who had ever betrayed him had known no peace afterward.

Anna could hardly believe she had become the wife of such a man.

Suddenly, the door flew open. Noah stepped inside.

"Forgive me, Anna!" he cried, pretending concern. "I was busy the whole day, but I just had to come and see you."

"You seem to forget that I am now your uncle's wife," she answered coldly. "You would do well to speak to me with the respect I deserve."

Noah offered a gentle, but insincere, smile.

"I chose not to run away with you because I wanted to spare you a lifetime of misery. This marriage is a blessing-Julian is nearly gone, and you won't have to do anything. When he passes away, I'll help you settle all of his affairs. Then everything will belong to us."

He grabbed her hands with greedy intent. Anna, filled with disgust and unable to forget his betrayal with Mia, yanked her hands away.

"Get your hands off me!" she demanded.

Noah froze, startled by her harsh tone. She had never raised her voice to him before. For a moment, uncertainty flickered across his face-did she know the truth?

He stepped closer, attempting to soothe her. But his attention shifted abruptly over her shoulder, and his expression changed to terror.

Julian Ashford opened his eyes as he lay on the bed.

Bathed in the cold light of the crystal chandelier, his black eyes flickered open. Their dark, obsidian sharpness radiated a frosty intensity that seemed to chill the entire room.

Noah turned pale at once. Gripped by panic, he staggered backward, nearly tripping as he tried to speak.

"Anna..." he finally stammered. "Aunt Anna... it's getting late. I'll leave you now, and... Uncle Julian!"

Sweating, he rushed out of the room without looking back.

Left alone, Anna felt her heart pounding. Her body trembled. Julian... had he really just awakened? But hadn't the doctors said he had no chance of survival?

She wanted to go to him, to speak, but her legs refused to move. Panic rose within her, and she fled down the hallway, calling out as loudly as she could, "Mrs. Miller! Julian opened his eyes!"

The housekeeper rushed to her side, though her tone softened, sounding almost resigned.

"Do not worry, Mrs. Ashford. Mr. Ashford opens his eyes every day, but it is only a reflex. The doctors believe there is little hope for someone in his condition to ever truly regain consciousness."

Anna still felt unsettled, but she nodded.

"Would it be alright if I left the lights on tonight? I... feel a bit scared."

"Of course," Mrs. Miller replied kindly. "Try to get some rest. Tomorrow, you'll need to visit the old manor and meet Mrs. Hilary Ashford."

After leaving the room, Anna changed into her pajamas and sat quietly at the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on the unmoving man before her. Even in stillness, Julian's stern features held an almost daunting sense of nobility. She passed her hand in front of his face, but he didn't respond.

"What are you thinking about, Julian?" she whispered.

A deep sadness washed over her. Her own hardships now seemed insignificant compared to everything he had endured.

"Please wake up soon," she pleaded softly. "If Noah gets control of your fortune, it would be a disgrace. You wouldn't find peace."

As she spoke, Julian's eyelids slowly twitched.

Anna froze.

Had he heard her?

With her heart pounding, she lay down beside him, unsettled by the thought.

No matter what happened, she was now Mrs. Ashford. As long as this marriage continued, no one could humiliate her. But what would become of her once Julian's death unleashed the family's greed?

She clenched her fists, determined. She needed to use her status while she still could and reclaim everything that had been stolen from her. Those who had broken her spirit would one day pay for what they had done.

The following morning at eight, Mrs. Miller escorted her to the old manor. In the wide living room, the whole Ashford family had assembled. Anna bowed politely and poured the tea with careful hands, her refined manners clearly pleasing Hilary, Julian's mother.

"How did you sleep?" Hilary asked, her smile gentle.

Anna felt warmth rise to her cheeks.

"Very well," she answered.

"And Julian? He didn't trouble you?"

"No," Anna replied softly. "He didn't move all night."

She chose not to admit that, while she slept, she had instinctively clung to him as if he were a warm pillow.

Hilary nodded and signaled to a maid, who brought over a violet box. Opening it, Hilary presented Anna with a delicately crafted bracelet.

"This piece of jewelry will look beautiful with your complexion. Do you like it?"

Surprised, Anna did not dare to refuse with everyone watching.

"Yes. Thank you very much."

Hilary's smile grew broader.

"I know your situation is difficult," Hilary began. "With Julian in this state, you cannot expect the care a husband should give. Still, you can be of great help to him..."

Her voice grew more serious.

"Julian had never had a romantic life. Now time was running out for him, and he had never been given the chance to start a family. I wanted you to give him a child, Anna, so that his lineage could continue."

Anna sat frozen in shock. The room grew silent until Enzo, Julian's elder brother, finally spoke.

"Mother, his condition likely means he is infertile."

But Hilary gave a short, humorless laugh.

"I have more than one solution. With all that Julian owns, he must leave behind an heir. Even a daughter would do."

All eyes turned at once to Anna.