Chapter 3 HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MINE

Everyone admired Don Ashford for his unmatched looks that seemed almost divine, but those who truly knew him understood that he possessed none of a god's compassion.

Don was cold, unfeeling, and terrifyingly ruthless! He was every bit as merciless as the stories claimed. That was why Linda Williams had spent the entire evening terrified he might see through her disguise.

But now, she was at rest.

Humming a cheerful tune, Linda knelt beside the bathtub, adjusting the water temperature as she prepared her husband's bath.

When Don walked into the bathroom, he found his young wife gently swaying her body to the rhythm of her humming, completely immersed in the task at hand.

Just as Linda turned off the tap, the room grew quiet, and a strange feeling crept up her spine. She stiffened, then slowly glanced back over her shoulder.

She nearly jumped out of her skin.

There stood Don Ashford, watching her in complete silence.

She quickly lowered her gaze, trying to suppress her panic. "T-The bath is ready," she stammered, not daring to meet his eyes.

Carrying the guilt of what had happened earlier in the day, Linda didn't want to linger a second longer than necessary. She bowed respectfully and turned to walk away.

Don's brows lifted slightly.

He was still puzzled by how overly timid his new wife was. Still, her obedience pleased him. She always kept her head down when speaking and acted like a frightened rabbit desperate to flee whenever he approached.

But just as she passed him, Don reached out and pulled her gently into his arms.

Linda's body went stiff.

Bathed in the warm light of the chandelier, her porcelain skin flushed crimson with embarrassment. The color that spread across her face struck Don in an unexpected way-it reminded him of the heavily made-up woman who had thrown herself at him earlier that day in the elevator. Her face had left a smudge on his coat, and he'd immediately tossed it into the trash.

Without thinking, he muttered, "Don't wear heavy makeup from now on."

He preferred her fresh and natural-untainted.

Linda: "...!"

Wait-what did he just say?

Why that comment... out of nowhere?

Was he hinting at something?

Did he suspect something?

---

The following morning, Linda was awakened not by an alarm or a knock, but by the loud growling of her empty stomach. She rolled over, half asleep, only to find the other side of the bed already cold and empty.

Don had clearly gotten up early and left.

With a lazy stretch, she finally got up to begin her morning routine.

She couldn't help but reflect on her first morning in this house.

Back then, she'd woken up with puffy eyes and a heavy heart. She had cried for nearly an entire day, overwhelmed by everything that had happened.

She had never imagined her life would take this kind of turn-married into a powerful family, not out of love or choice, but to ensure her own survival. It wasn't a dream come true; it was a brutal compromise.

That day, she'd completely broken down in sobs.

But what difference had her tears made?

Absolutely none.

Once, long ago, she had been the cherished little girl of the Williams family-showered with affection, protected from all harm. But that version of her was gone. That life was over.

No one worried about her anymore and no one would come to her rescue now.

As always, Linda Williams woke up with aches tracing every inch of her body.

It had become routine now to start the day by dragging herself out of bed, cleaning up, eating enough to keep her energy up, and heading to work as though nothing was wrong. In the end, money was the only thing that could patch the growing cracks in her life.

This morning felt no different, until she stepped out of her room to head for breakfast.

Just as she was about to descend the grand staircase, Butler Smith appeared at the landing, and behind him, to her dismay, stood her half- sister and her half-sister's grandmother.

The sight of them made her shoulders sink, and her appetite vanished on the spot.

"Young Miss, your grandmother and sister have come to see you," Butler Smith announced, though he sounded less than thrilled about it. He had intended to ask them to wait in the downstairs parlor while he notified Linda, but they had insisted on following him instead. Their behavior was intrusive, yet given their relation to her, he couldn't voice his disapproval aloud.

Linda's lips twitched with irritation.

The moment she laid eyes on her, the elderly woman rushed forward, wearing a mask of loving concern. "Sweetheart, you've grown thinner! Are you not eating well? I brought some of your favorites-"

Butler Smith stood silently, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Is this woman implying the Ashfords are mistreating her?

Linda didn't reply. The hypocrisy in Grandma Alice's voice was enough to make her stomach churn. She gave a slight nod to Butler Smith, signaling him to take his leave.

As soon as the butler disappeared from sight, the elderly woman's expression hardened. The sugary tone evaporated as quickly as it had appeared.

Her sister, Kate, took no time to explode. She stormed forward and yanked Linda by the collar. "You shameless tramp! You've been climbing into Don's bed again, haven't you?!"

Linda's summer blouse revealed faint red marks around her collarbone-remnants of the night before. Kate's eyes flared with fury the moment she caught sight of them.

Her voice trembled with envy. Those marks should've been on me. Everything you have-should've been mine!

She gritted her teeth, trying to rein in her emotions. She couldn't forget how it had all begun.

When the Ashfords announced their intention to find a bride for Don, every prominent family in Deltana City with a daughter of marriageable age had leaped at the chance.

Desperate to gain favor with the Ashfords, the Williams family sent not just Kate, but also forced Linda, who had been trying to stay far away-to attend the selection as well.

Kate, who was chasing stardom and unwilling to risk it for marriage, had bailed at the last minute, dragging her mother with her. She didn't even wait to meet the man.

But when Linda was chosen to marry Don Ashford, and Kate saw how powerful, wealthy, and devastatingly attractive he was, she regretted everything.

She had begged, pleaded, and then demanded that Linda step aside. She believed Don should've been hers. She had convinced herself that if she hadn't left early, she would've been the one walking down the aisle with him.

Now, the jealousy was unbearable.

Linda's eyes narrowed at the grip on her collar. She swatted Kate's hand away without hesitation.

Kate stumbled backward and fell hard to the floor, her expression twisted in disbelief.

"You crazy b*tch! You dared push me?!" she screeched, scrambling to her feet.