Under My Deceitful Wife's Spell

In Camont, the surface of the pool at Glory Hot Springs was scattered with soft rose petals, gently brushing against Lena Evans' skin with a gentle touch. Her form was elegant, every curve exuding a rare, captivating charm.

A faint mist veiled her gaze, casting an ethereal glow on her features-a mix of fragility and quiet strength.

She was an illegitimate daughter, raised by her mother alongside her younger brother, relying on each other to endure life's hardships.

A week prior, her father's family unexpectedly summoned her with a startling demand: she was to take the place of her father's other daughter, Alana Evans, and fulfill a marital obligation to Dylan Harvey, the CEO of the Harvey Group.

The union between Dylan and Alana had always been a calculated business arrangement. With no emotional attachment to his bride, Dylan left the country immediately after their wedding, staying away for three years.

Now, under mounting pressure from his family, he had returned-ordered to solidify the union by consummating the marriage.

The Evanses offered Lena a grim deal: if she replaced Alana that night and spent it with Dylan, they would release her mother and brother, even providing treatment for her brother's chronic illness.

Lena knew the immense power of the Evans family. They could crush her and her loved ones easily.

Her striking resemblance to Alana was the only reason they considered her for this charade.

While their faces and voices resembled each other, their figures showed subtle differences.

Though Dylan had never been physically close to Alana, the Evanses hoped to avoid discovery and

orchestrated the meeting at the secluded hot springs.

"Mr. Harvey will arrive soon. You know what's expected of you-be careful with what you say and play your part!" an older woman hissed behind Lena, her tone sharp. Some of the staff had been bribed, ensuring that few were aware of the deceit.

Lena nodded quietly. "I understand."

For the past week, she had studied every detail about Dylan until his profile was etched in her mind.

On the edge of the spring, Alana crouched, glaring. Despite their likeness, their personalities were polar opposites.

Through gritted teeth, Alana snarled, "Don't forget your place. Even if you end up in my husband's bed, you're just a substitute, a mere bastard!"

Dylan was her husband, the one she'd waited three long years to see again.

This night should have been hers alone. But Dylan's family had demanded the bride must be a virgin, leaving her no choice but to involve Lena.

Lena lowered her head, suppressing the sting of tears. "Release my mother and brother tomorrow morning."

"I will. They mean nothing to me," Alana sneered, waving dismissively. "Just make sure you do your part." She then gestured to the older woman and said firmly, "Keep a close watch on her."

At that moment, the woman whispered urgently, "Mr. Harvey has arrived."

Hearing this, Alana quickly retreated to a hidden corner.

Lena steadied herself, inhaling deeply. Moments later, a servant led a tall man, clad in a loose bathrobe, into the room. His steps were slightly unsteady, a result of alcohol.

"Mr. Harvey, you and your wife can relax in the spring. We'll leave you to it."

With that, the servant departed swiftly.

Dylan's gaze swept over the woman in the spring. Her presence was alluring-soft, quiet, and inexplicably mesmerizing.

She wore a seductive swimsuit, the straps on her shoulders seemingly ready to snap with a tug.

Strangely, earlier that day, he had felt a vague dislike for Alana. Yet, this version of her seemed different. Softer. Warmer. Intriguingly irresistible.

As he took a step back, Lena reached for his bathrobe, desperation flickering in her eyes.

She couldn't afford for him to leave-her beloved ones' fate depended on her.

He mistook her urgency for fear of being abandoned again.

Her voice wavered as she whispered, "Don't you want me, darling?"

The delicate plea sent a shiver down his spine.

The next second, Lena rose from the water, clinging to him, her trembling fingers brushing his leg.

Overcome with desire, Dylan brushed her hand away and entered the hot spring.

After all, they were already married, and it was time to consummate their marriage.

"So, you still remember I'm your husband?" Dylan murmured, his voice hoarse.

"Yes, I..."

Lena's response was cut short as he gripped her chin, pulling her into a deep, fervent kiss.

Lena tensed at the unfamiliar intimacy, but his hands left her no room to pull away.

The faint scent of alcohol lingered on his lips.

She didn't dare close her eyes, watching his long lashes flutter, lending his chiseled features a strikingly sensual aura.

He looked every bit the man described in her file-his deep-set eyes unreadable, his sharp jawline carved with perfection.

The straps of her swimsuit slipped under his touch as his kisses wandered, leaving a fiery trail over her skin.

The dim lighting and steam from the spring wrapped the moment in an air of enchantment.

As ripples danced across the water, Lena surrendered, her arms encircling his neck. In the warmth of the spring, the night unfolded in a whirlwind of passion and vulnerability.

Lena was shocked by Dylan's stamina. From the steamy pool to the bed, his energy seemed boundless.

At dawn, sunlight filtered through the curtains, startling Lena awake.

She bolted upright, instinctively shielding her chest upon noticing the man still soundly asleep beside her.

She needed to leave-right away.

As she carefully slid off the bed, Dylan's arm coiled around her waist.

"Where are you sneaking off to?" he murmured, his head resting against her.

Lena's pulse quickened. "Just heading to the bathroom for a moment..."

Dylan sat up, cupping her face to meet his gaze.

She instinctively covered her mouth. "I haven't brushed yet."

In the soft glow of the night before, her resemblance to Alana was striking. But under daylight, her unadorned features revealed subtle distinctions.

Dylan chuckled, tousling her hair before planting a kiss on her cheek. "Go on, then."

Heart pounding, Lena pulled on last night's robe, stealing a glance at him as she stepped into the bathroom.

By the time she emerged, Dylan had freshened up in the adjacent room. Standing before the mirror, he was halfway through buttoning his shirt.

He glanced at her. "Honey, help me with my tie."

Lena swallowed hard and approached, her fingers deftly working the fabric into place-a skill honed during her stint at a men's boutique.

His intense gaze bore into her, unrelenting. She kept her eyes lowered, but he tipped her chin up, catching her off guard as his lips claimed hers once more.

Only when the tie was secured did she manage to slip away, flustered.

When Lena returned to the basement where they had agreed to meet, Alana was waiting, her expression dark with irritation.

"You bitch!" Alana snapped. "You were supposed to leave before sunrise, but you dragged it out! Are you trying to blow your cover?"

Lena shook her head. "That's not it at all."

Alana's lips curled into a sneer. "Let me make this clear-Dylan won't divorce me, even if he discovers the truth. This is about business, not love. So spare me your delusions. You'd be wise to put away any little schemes you might have."

Her voice turned icy as she added, "After all, a sultry mistress's child will never be accepted by high society."

Lena's eyes narrowed, her voice cold. "Alana, you can insult me, but leave my mother out of it."

If Owen Evans, her father, hadn't hidden his true identity and the fact that he was married with children, her mother would never have gotten involved with him.

"I'm just telling the truth," Alana scoffed.

Danna Sutton, the Evans family's housekeeper, interjected, "Ms. Evans, you should go back up before Mr. Harvey grows suspicious."

Alana threw Lena a scathing look. "Remember, as long as you do as you're told, your loved ones stay safe. Cross me, and I won't be so kind."

Flipping her hair, she strode upstairs.

Lena silently watched her leave, hatred burning in her eyes.

......

When Alana went upstairs, she found Dylan seated at the dining table, poised to begin his meal.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, his physique a clear result of disciplined workouts. His striking features and effortless charm captivated countless women. But it was Lena who had shared his bed the previous night. How hateful!

Swallowing her frustration, Alana walked over and rested her hand lightly on his shoulder. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Dylan's brow furrowed as a cloying scent hit his nose. "What's that fragrance you're wearing?"

The subtle aroma she carried earlier that day had been far more appealing.

Unaware of his dissatisfaction, Alana smiled brightly. "It's Chanel's newest limited edition. Isn't it wonderful?"

"Go wash it off," Dylan said bluntly.

In his mind, she seemed sweet and captivating last night and stirred his protective instincts; now, she appeared showy and tacky.

It was almost incomprehensible how she could feel like a completely different person.

"Well..." Alana faltered, surprised by his directness. Dylan glanced at her again and softened his tone. "Forget it. You were worn out last night. If you like wearing this perfume, that's fine."

Alana's eyes widened in disbelief. Dylan, a man known for his unwavering principles and icy demeanor, had just bent his own rules.

But it wasn't for her. It was for Lena, the woman who'd been in his arms the night before!

Suppressing the jealousy surging within, Alana forced a smile. "Thank you, darling."

The miscarriage had cost her everything. It had robbed her of her chance to make love with Dylan and opened the door for Lena to swoop in.

The image of Lena and Dylan, wrapped in intimacy at the hot spring, flashed through Alana's mind, igniting a storm of envy.

At that moment, all she wanted was to ruin Lena's life.

Lena hurried home after leaving the hot spring resort.

When she arrived, the scene was chaotic. The tools for their food stall were destroyed, her brother, Leroy Evans, was nowhere in sight, and her mother, Kamila Jonson, sat on the floor, weeping.

"Mom, what happened!? Where's Leroy?"

Lena knelt to help her mother, whose cheek was swollen from a blow. Through her sobs, Kamila said, "The Evans family didn't let Leroy go. They threw me out and warned me not to speak to the Harveys. They said if I caused trouble... they would..."

Her voice broke. "They would harm Leroy."

"This is outrageous!"

Lena clenched her fists tightly. Fury burned in her chest as she realized they were entirely at the Evans family's mercy.

Kamila struggled to clean the wreckage, tears streaming down her face. "Leroy has always been weak since he was a baby. If they hurt him, he might not survive it."

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll get him back," Lena said, her voice resolute, her eyes cold.

Though she didn't yet understand why Alana couldn't be intimate with Dylan, she knew the Evans family was hiding something.

She was resolute in her mission to free Leroy from their clutches unharmed.

Years of tyranny from Juliet Evans, Alana's mom, had forced Lena's family to survive by selling snacks by the street. After completing her degree, Lena struggled to find stable employment, always rejected after her internships.

The Evans family had no intention of allowing her family any peace.

If she didn't act now to push back, Lena knew the Evanses would destroy her once she was of no further use.

After caring for her injured mother, Lena set out for the Evanses'.

In the living room, Alana was browsing through a collection of bags and clothes. Upon noticing Lena, she feigned indifference and continued admiring her new items.

Lena pressed her lips together, swallowing her anguish. "Alana, I'm begging you-please stop tormenting my mom."

Despite already agreeing to their demand, her mother and brother were still being cruelly mistreated.

"Tormenting?" Alana let out a sharp laugh, as though hearing a ridiculous joke. She approached Lena, grabbing her neck tightly. "Lena, don't forget-your family means nothing to us. Insignificant lives like yours aren't worth the effort to torment."

Only when Lena's face turned crimson did Alana release her, wiping her fingers with a damp tissue. "If you want us to stop, there's a simple solution."

She smirked. "Bring a computer keyboard."

A servant promptly brought in a computer keyboard.

"Set it down," Alana ordered with a smirk.

Lena's face lost all color. Alana said dismissively, "All you need to do is kneel on it, slap yourself, and shout, 'I'm trash, and so is my mother.' Do that, and I might consider having my family back off."

Lena's hands curled into fists, her nails biting into her skin. She knew Alana always thrived on asserting her power.

Alana tilted her head, folding her arms. "What's wrong? Don't know how to kneel? Should I help you?"

Lowering her head to mask her fury, Lena said softly, "If I kneel, my knees might bruise. Mr. Harvey wouldn't like that if he needs my accompany tonight..."

Mentioning Dylan instantly darkened Alana's expression. She slapped Lena hard. "Like mother, like daughter-both of you only know how to seduce men!"

With venom in her tone, she added, "Didn't last night satisfy you? Hoping for more tonight? Too bad! Tonight, he's mine! Now get on your knees!"

Lena lowered her gaze and began to kneel, suppressing the humiliation.

Her skin, softened by a week of milk bath, was more delicate than before, and the hard keys dug into her knees, causing sharp, jarring pain.

Alana chuckled cruelly. "I've told you before-you're beneath me, nothing more than a plaything at my feet. What makes people like you think you can be connected with my family? Start slapping, now!"

Lena remained still.

Seeing her hesitation, Alana sneered, "What's wrong? Can't bring yourself to do it? Maybe I should call the care facility and have them pay extra 'attention' to your brother."

Hot tears streamed down Lena's face as she raised her trembling hand to strike her own cheek.

Before she could, the housekeeper's voice echoed from outside. "People from the Harvey family are here."

Alana's smug expression faltered.