Chapter 2

Not long ago, my dad married a new wife.

From the shadows, I watched my brand-new stepmother, whose smile was radiant and enchanting, her beauty like a burst of sunlight.

I finally understood why my dad married her.

Even knowing she had allegedly sent two former husbands to their graves, he still couldn't resist.

Just for that face alone, it was worth it.

Men like my dad thought they were victorious, having won over such a stunning woman.

Unfortunately, they all ended up dead.

My dad didn't even last two months after the wedding.

Some speculated it was my stepmother's doing, but there wasn't a shred of evidence.

With no proof, people turned to superstition instead.

They claimed my stepmother was cursed, a walking death sentence for any man who touched her.

On the day my dad died, a group of women came knocking at the door, children in tow, demanding a piece of the inheritance.

But my stepmother, being the undisputed queen of household battles, unleashed her full firepower.

"Lucas, get these filthy pests out of my house!"

Robbing people of their money was like killing their parents; of course, they didn't take it lying down.

My stepmother looked delicate, but her words were anything but. She pulled out my dad's urn.

"Oh dear, he's nothing but ashes now. Can't do a paternity test anymore, can you? But hey, you're welcome to reunite with him."

The women wept and wailed. "How could you be so ruthless? His body wasn't even cold before you burned him!"

Smiling sweetly, my stepmother replied, "I checked. He was cold. Ice cold."

That smile sent chills down my spine. I quietly moved further away.

In the end, the sobbing women and their children were dragged out by the bodyguards.

My stepmother reclined comfortably on the couch, pouring herself a glass of red wine, clearly pleased with herself.

"I'm rich. There's no way I'll finish spending all this money in my lifetime.

"Too bad there's an extra baggage to deal with."

She smiled and sighed as if I were some pesky burden. I didn't dare make a sound.

It felt like she wanted nothing to do with me.

Would I even have a home anymore?

Thankfully, since my mom passed, I still had my uncle, who doted on me.

Just yesterday, he told me he wanted to take me away.

Sure enough, my uncle and aunt soon arrived.

My aunt came in sobbing, her eyes red and swollen.

"Oh, Erika, how could your parents leave so soon?

"Poor girl, left all alone with no one to rely on. What's going to happen to you now?"

My uncle patted my head, his voice soft with pity. "Don't worry, kiddo. From now on, you'll live with your aunt and me."

They looked at me with such sincerity, like they truly cared.

I sneaked a glance at my stepmother. She didn't seem particularly interested in keeping me.

Everyone said she was a terrible person, but I didn't feel that way.

To her, I was just a stranger. No different from how my dad treated me.

The scales in my heart started tipping toward my uncle. Just as I was ready to agree...

A row of subtitles appeared before my eyes.

[The plot's kicking off already? The heroine's about to be taken by her relatives and tormented. Can't wait!]

[These relatives are ruthless. Once they get the money, they'll sell the heroine off to some remote mountain village.]

[No big deal. All the suffering she faces now will be compensated for with the male lead's love later. The delicate little flower thrives in hardship and eventually finds salvation! I'm obsessed!]

[That vicious stepmother doesn't seem like much better. She probably can't wait to get rid of the heroine.]