Chapter 1

On our wedding night, Mario finished his drink and leaned close to my ear, whispering, "Aurora, that worker who raped you years ago—I was the one who arranged it."

My deepest scar was torn open. I raised my head in disbelief, but Mario just smiled softly as he caressed my cheek.

"Shocked? Aurora, you're just too obedient. That day, it was supposed to be Neyland who got violated."

"But I wasn't with her at the time, so I could only call you over. You were prettier than Neyland, so the man let her go."

My eyes reddened as my entire body trembled uncontrollably.

My parents standing nearby turned their heads away. "Neyland has suffered ever since she found out about her true background. It's only right that you make some sacrifices for her."

Seeing my tears, Mario pulled me into his arms with what looked like tenderness.

"Aurora, it doesn't matter that you lost your innocence. You're still the true daughter of the Williams family, and you're my wife."

As soon as he finished speaking, he handed me a business card.

"But you need to understand—Neyland tried to kill herself because we got married."

"I'm afraid seeing you will upset her, so for the next couple of days, stay at Mr. Chris's place."

Mr. Chris—the man infamous throughout Los Angeles for his lechery.

Mario lit a cigarette and continued, "Mr. Chris has his eye on Neyland. If you keep him company for a few days, he'll back off."

"It's not your first time anyway. Just think of it as helping your sister."

Not the first time. This wasn't the first time Mario had hurt me for Neyland's sake either.

But it didn't matter. I only had one month left.

One month, and I could leave this painful place forever.