Chapter 1 Bella's Pov

As I scrolled through the pictures on my phone, a chill ran through me. The woman my husband had been seeing dared to send me photos flaunting their affair. I tossed the phone onto the bed, my heart felt as though it was on fire.

It was early summer in Dexy city and the heater was turned on but I felt so cold at this moment.

He had told me he was going on a business trip, but instead, he'd gone on vacation with her. I scoffed at the absurdity of his lie. From the very start, he had made it clear-he only married me because his grandfather had forced him, and I could have refused.

Tears welled in my eyes as I whispered, "But I didn't listen... I was so madly in love with you, Julius. I needed you. I wanted to escape my own home so desperately.

I did everything a loving wife would, We had so many maids in the house but I always woke up very early to serve him his favorite tea. I would make him his best food whenever he was upset. But all of my efforts only earned me a frosty glance from him.

A noise at the door interrupted my thoughts. Was he back already? I cleaned my tears immediately, I didn't want him to see me cry.

I opened the door, only to be met by Athena-his mistress-standing on the doorstep. Athena was a vision of timeless beauty. Her long, flowing hair cascaded down her back in waves of rich, chestnut brown.

"Bella," she began, "I wanted to send those photos to my friends... I don't know how I ended up sending them to you. I'm so sorry you had to see that."

I glanced past her-no sign of Julius. I sighed. "You don't have to pretend with me. He's not here, is he?"

She smirked, dropping the fake apology. "I was trying to be nice for once, but look at you-taking my kindness for granted."

Exhausted, I muttered, "I don't have the strength for this. Just leave or come back when he's around."

Her smile widened. "I want to wait here for my lover. What do you think you can do about it?"

I wasn't in the mood to play nice, so I grabbed her arm, yanking her toward the stairs.

"Stop! Wait, wait!" she protested.

But I didn't stop.

"Wait! I'm pregnant with Julius's child!"

Her words hit me like a lightning strike, freezing me in place.

"What do you mean you're pregnant with Julius's child? You're carrying his baby?"

She smirked. "Yes, and he's going to divorce you soon. You might as well start counting your days in this house."

I laughed bitterly. "You really think you've won? His grandfather will never let him divorce me. So, keep dreaming. Your child is just going to end up a bastard, just like you'll always be the mistress that can only meet him in secret."

Her expression twisted with anger and she was about to retort. Then we heard footsteps. Suddenly, she smiled and deliberately threw herself off the stairs.

The sharp sound of her scream echoed through the mansion.

Julius rushed in, panic evident in his eyes. Before I could explain what happened, he shouted, "What is wrong with you? Are you trying to kill Athena? You're not just selfish, Bella-you're cruel. You disgust me."

He scooped Athena into his arms and ran out, likely rushing to the hospital. Of course, I was the villain in his eyes. No matter what Athena did to me, he never cared, but if something happened to her, he lost his mind.

I sat on the stairs, trying to process it all. Athena was pregnant? Maybe his grandfather would accept her after all. I'd never been able to conceive, even after all these years.

But I didn't have long to think. Julius stormed back in, grabbed my arm, and yanked me up forcefully. "You evil slut!" He didn't even listen to a word I said as he dragged me outside and shoved me into his car.

I wondered where we were going, but it didn't take long for my question to be answered.

"The police station? Are you seriously doing this, Julius? We've been married for five years, even though it was a loveless marriage. You don't even trust my character a bit?" I asked, my voice trembling with disbelief.

He didn't respond; he just turned to the officers and said coldly, "Lock her up for a few days, then let her go. And make sure this doesn't make the news." With that, he walked out, leaving me standing there in shock. It was then that I completely broke down.

My parents showed up not long after, but instead of comforting me, they berated me, calling me a devil's spawn. I scoffed, too exhausted to defend myself anymore. Any normal parents would be worried about their daughter's well-being, but mine? They'd always been concerned only with their interests. My brothers arrived the next day, but not out of concern-they just wanted advice on their failing business. I had always been the brains behind their success, though no one ever gave me credit.

That night, as I lay in the cold cell, one of my fellow inmates approached me and plunged a knife into my stomach. I didn't scream, didn't even resist. I was too tired to fight. "Who sent you?" I whispered with my last breath.

"Sorry, I can't tell you that. I'm just doing this to get my freedom," she replied coldly.

The world faded into darkness.

I woke up, weak and disoriented, I realized I wasn't in the cell anymore. Instead I was in an unknown room.

Everything in the room was rich and lavish. The floors were made of lithirum tiles, one of the most expensive tiles ever. The room was filled with expensive artworks.

One of them could easily sell for 10 million dollars. Julius had a habit of traveling and he brought back home pieces of artwork with each trip.

I was still trying to understand how I ended up here when a man I didn't recognize came into the room and beside me.

His piercing gaze met mine as he said, "You're safe now. I made sure of it." His facial features were very beautiful, he had one of the rarest eye colours, violet. They would look weird on some other people but they looked perfect on him.

"Who... are you?" I whispered.

"Someone who knows the truth," he replied cryptically. "And someone who needs your help just as much as you'll need mine." Those were the words I heard before I passed out again.