Chapter 1
One explosion destroyed everything I had.
My Dad, as the project manager, went to prison and died of a heart attack behind bars.
To avenge their loved ones, the victims’ families took their fury out on us—hurling insults, throwing punches, and subjecting us to even more savage torment…
In one horrific night, strangers violated all three of us – my mother, my sister, and me – leaving us all pregnant.
Mom broke down and killed herself. My sister ran into traffic and got hit by a car.
When my fiancé Dylan Richardson found me, I was curled up behind a dumpster, the infection from my injuries making me reek like death.
He looked at me with pure disgust. “Your dad killed all those people. Your whole family deserves this.”
With that, he turned around and married someone else within a week.
Just when I thought I’d rot away in the darkness, Cameron Pierce appeared and lifted me out of the filth.
He didn’t care that the assault left me unable to have kids, didn’t care that I’d been raped.
He spoiled me like a princess.
And I became the most envied woman in the city—Mrs. Pierce.
Until one day, I picked up Cameron’s forgotten watch and headed to his study, only to hear a conversation that made my blood run cold.
“Tomorrow’s Mia’s birthday. She invited you couple both to come.” Dylan’s voice drifted out.
“You’re ruthless as hell—framing the Quinns to save Mia’s family. I won’t forget what you did for us.”
My legs suddenly went weak, and I had to lean against the wall.
“I can’t stand seeing Mia cry.” Cameron’s voice was tender. “Her father’s mistakes – I’ll fix it. She likes you, so I’ll clear the obstacles for her.”
Dylan let out a cold laugh. “Cameron, you’re really something. Aren’t you afraid that someday Sarah will find out the truth?”
Cameron’s voice turned even colder. “So what if she does? A damaged woman getting to be Mrs. Pierce is already more than she deserves. For Mia, I’d go to hell itself!”
I stumbled away.
So all those gentle touches, all that careful tenderness—it was never for me. It was all for another woman…
I barely made it back to the bedroom before Cameron walked in.
He pulled me into his arms, fingers brushing my cheek. “You look pale, babe. Has Maria been taking care of you?”
Before I could answer, he continued, “Tomorrow’s Dylan’s wife’s birthday party. Come with me?”
Then he handed me a velvet box with a diamond tennis bracelet inside.
“Was gonna save this for our anniversary,” he said while gently fastening it around my neck. “but you seemed upset, so I thought I’d surprise you with this a little early.”
“And Maria said you were staring at some kid at the mall today.” He kissed my forehead. “Sarah, I’ve told you a million times—kids or no kids, I love you forever.”
At his words, a chill ran down my spine.
If I hadn’t heard him in that study door, I’d be melting into his gentle right now.
The next day, I let the servants dress me up like a doll, put on the jewelry he gave me, slipped into the gown, and walked into the ballroom on his arm.
Then I saw her – Mia Mitchell held court in the center of the room, glowing in her spotlight.
The chauffeur’s daughter who used to depend on my family’s charity was now a wealthy socialite.
I glanced at Cameron and caught him watching her with an unmistakable tenderness in his eyes..
“Welcome, Princess Quinn.” Mia glided over, deliberately touching the diamond necklace at her throat. “Thanks for the gorgeous gift, by the way. Cameron has such excellent taste.”
My stomach dropped. She was wearing the same jewelry line as me—except hers was clearly the premium version.
“I’m not a princess anymore,” I said back quietly. “After all, there is no Quinn family now.”
The whispers started immediately:
“I heard she got gang-raped… down there got all infected…”
“Didn’t she have a miscarriage too?”
“Jesus, and Cameron still married her? Guy’s got balls.”
Each word felt like a knife twisting in my chest.
I looked at Cameron.
He was just watching Mia with this soft expression I’d never seen before.
“So Sarah,” just then, Mia said to me sweetly, “what did you bring me for my birthday?”
Fighting back nausea, I pulled out an antique jade bracelet.
But as I handed it over, she suddenly screamed and stumbled backward.
The bracelet shattered on the marble floor and she fell backward completely.
“Mia!” Cameron saw that and he shoved me hard at once, rushing over to her.
My knees slammed into the marble floor. And the pain shot straight up my spine.
“Sarah…” Mia’s voice trembled as fake tears rolled down her cheeks. “I know you hate me because of what happened to your family. But your dad really did kill all those people. I couldn’t lie about that…”
She suddenly covered her mouth like she’d let something slip. “Or are you still mad about Dylan? But the Richardson family has standards. They need a wife who’s… pure. And you’ve even already lost so many babies…”
Gasps echoed through the ballroom.
I could feel phone cameras pointed at me from every angle. But no one moved to help me up.
I looked up and saw Cameron carefully helping Mia, his gaze so tender it made my eyes sting.
The man who destroyed my entire family was now letting her humiliate me in front of everyone.
“Apologize.” Cameron’s voice was ice-cold as he stared down at me. “Right now. Apologize to Mia.”
Mia tugged at his sleeve. “Cameron, don’t be so harsh to Sarah…”
My tears hit the floor.
