Chapter 3

Rachel froze mid-step, her gaze instinctively darting behind her.

Abigail’s face flushed crimson. She quickly glanced around, then whispered, “Stop it. How can you say that in front of everyone?”

Kevin draped one arm casually over the back of her chair, leaning down with a low chuckle. “We’re dating, aren’t we? What’s the big deal about sharing a room?”

Abigail didn’t respond, just buried her face into the crook of his arm.

They looked so sickeningly sweet, a perfect bubble no one could burst.

Ralph let out a bitter, mocking laugh. “Kevin, I don’t care how often you switch girlfriends, but don’t go knocking up half a dozen girls and drag the Smith family name through the mud.”

Abigail stepped forward to defend him, her voice firm. “That won’t happen. Kevin’s always taken care of me. Don’t worry.”

Taken care of her?

Only naive fools who hadn’t seen the real world would buy that line.

Ralph rolled his eyes and looked away dismissively, while Isaac spoke up in his usual calm tone, “Enough, both of you. Kevin, watch yourself. No kids before marriage.”

Kevin didn’t reply. Instead, he lowered his head, picked up a strand of Abigail’s hair, and twirled it absently between his fingers.

Isaac sighed inwardly at his youngest son’s antics. He coughed lightly twice, then patted Rachel’s hand on the back, signaling for her to help him upstairs.

At sixty-something, no amount of upkeep could hide the age spots creeping across his sagging skin. The cool touch of his hand felt like the slimy glide of a venomous snake, sending a shiver of revulsion through Rachel’s core.

She swallowed her disgust, keeping her expression neutral as she supported him back to his room.

Abigail and Kevin’s conversation continued in the background, impossible for Rachel to tune out.

Abigail’s saccharine tone floated over. “I didn’t bring much with me. How about you come shopping with me?”

“It’s freezing outside. I don’t want you catching a cold. Whatever you need, just have the staff pick it up.”

“You know shopping isn’t the point. I just want to spend more time with you…”

Rachel didn’t catch the rest as she finally escorted Isaac to his room.

“Stay here tonight,” Isaac said suddenly.

A wave of nausea churned in Rachel’s stomach. She looked up with a practiced look of concern. “I’ll stick to the guest room for now. Ralph and Kevin haven’t fully accepted me yet. Let’s not stir up trouble.”

“Besides, I wouldn’t want to disturb your sleep.”

Her words hung in the air. Isaac remained silent. Rachel’s breathing grew heavier, her hand at her side clenching into a tight fist from nerves.

After what seemed like forever, Isaac chuckled softly. “Alright, we’ll do it your way.”

His tone turned earnest. “You saved my life, and now you’re my wife. You don’t need to walk on eggshells around here. I may not be able to give you love, but I’ll protect you, no matter what.”

Rachel’s eyes welled up, her voice thick with emotion. “I understand. Thank you.”

Isaac sighed again. “You’re still too cautious. Go on, get some rest.”

Rachel wiped away the moisture at the corner of her eye and softly bid him goodnight.

The moment she stepped out and the door clicked shut behind her, the gentle smile vanished from her face. A deep, burning hatred flickered in her eyes.

Four years ago, Rachel’s father had been a respected mayor until he was falsely accused of bribery.

The evidence was airtight, leaving no room for appeal. On the third day of his imprisonment, news broke of his alleged suicide. Her mother, unable to bear the blow, succumbed to a heart attack shortly after.

A family of four was reduced to just her and her brother overnight.

Rachel had been clueless at the time, returning home from college full of excitement, only to be tricked by her uncle and sold into the red-light district. Fortunately, her brother arrived in time. Though he couldn’t take her away, he used what little influence he had left to protect her innocence.

From then on, Rachel stayed in that dark world, leveraging her brother’s connections to secretly build power while digging into the truth behind her father’s downfall.

Ultimately, she uncovered ties linking Isaac to the frame-up.

After six months of meticulous planning, she seized her chance when Isaac was targeted in an assassination attempt. She intervened, saving his life—at the cost of a knife wound to her back. She spent three harrowing days and nights in ICU, nearly losing everything.

When she recovered, Isaac asked what reward she wanted. Rachel requested to leave the red-light district behind and live a clean life.

Isaac agreed, granting her the title of lady of the Smith family household and pulling her out of that hellhole.

Men are often driven by lust, and Isaac was no exception—though his failing body rendered him incapable of acting on any desires. As a result, their marriage remained unofficial, without legal papers.

Back in the living room to grab some water, Rachel noticed Kevin still lounging with Abigail on the couch.

Catching sight of her, Kevin smirked, his lips curling mockingly. “Out already? Guess you didn’t quite satisfy that old man tonight, huh?”

A sharp pang stabbed at Rachel’s chest, but she kept her face blank as she pulled a bottle of mineral water from the fridge. “If you’re so curious, feel free to come watch next time.”

Kevin’s expression darkened instantly, his glare practically sparking with fury.

Sensing the tension spike, Abigail hurried to intervene. “Kevin, don’t be so harsh with your stepmom. Even if you don’t give her credit, she’s still putting in the effort to care for your dad.”

The word "stepmom" and the phrase "putting in effort" hit like invisible slaps across Rachel’s face.

She tightened her grip on the bottle, watching as Kevin’s sharp features softened under Abigail’s words. “You’ve got a point.”

With that, he dropped the subject and left Rachel alone.

She should’ve felt relieved, but seeing Kevin—once so indulgent and protective of her—now bending to another woman’s every word made her chest tighten. It was like drowning in an endless ocean, unable to draw a single breath.

Back in her room, Rachel tossed and turned until well past midnight before finally drifting off.

Her sleep was restless. In her dreams, she was back in college during those golden days with Kevin—the best times they’d shared.

They’d been dating for barely six months when curiosity and nervous excitement led them to explore intimacy for the first time. After that, Kevin couldn’t get enough of being near her. He’d tag along to classes, wait for her afterward, even text nonstop while working odd jobs just to check in.

[Babe, what are you up to?]

[Just scored fifty bucks! Bringing you a cupcake tonight.]

[Babe, I miss you so much.]

He’d ramble on endlessly. By the end of his shift, his pockets would be stuffed with random snacks—candies, donuts, hot dogs—anything he spotted on the way home.

But those treats never made it to Rachel still warm.

Because the second Kevin got back, he’d eagerly tug her toward the bedroom. “Babe, I missed you so damn much.”

Rachel could never resist his playful pleading. Half-protesting, half-giving in, she’d let him pull her onto the bed. Then came his kisses—relentless, tracing from lips to neck… His hands would wander mischievously, knowing exactly how to ignite every nerve until desire took over completely.

A soft moan escaped her lips as longing surged within—and with a jolt—she snapped awake from the dream.

Before she could process anything, she realized someone was there—head buried against her chest—and it was Kevin.