Chapter 1

At the wedding, I reached out my hand, but my fiancé, Ryan Carter, slid the ring onto the finger of Jessica Miller, my father's mistress's daughter.

My mother's heart seized up with fury, yet Ryan simply met my gaze, a chilling calm in his eyes.

“Carter Corp. is going public next month. Since your mother already signed the divorce agreement, leaving with absolutely nothing, I doubt you can offer me any help. My wife can only be the heiress of the Miller family.”

My wedding became Jessica Miller's wedding.

My mother died of a heart attack amidst the biting whispers and cruel laughter.

Five years later, Ryan Carter returned home with Jessica and their three-year-old son.

He found me making soup in his kitchen and immediately tried to kick me out.

“Samantha Kingston, have you no shame? Are you still dreaming of me marrying you? In your dreams!”

With that, he grabbed my collar, his grip like iron, and started dragging me towards the door.

Just then, his aunt, Carol, emerged from the study.

“You insolent brat! Let go of your stepmother!”

Ryan didn’t quite hear her, but Aunt Carol’s sheer presence made him visibly flinch, shrinking his neck back.

Aunt Carol didn't even give him a proper look, her gaze sweeping over Jessica.

“What do you think this place is? A dog pound? Get her out of here now!”