For a time, all fingers pointed at me. Whispers followed wherever I went—scheming, shameless, a woman who would do anything just to get what she wanted.
People said I had ruined Audrey's reputation while trapping Hayden in a marriage he never wanted. And no matter how much I denied it, no one believed me. Their judgment was set in stone.
The aftermath was even worse. Audrey attempted suicide multiple times. Each time, Hayden was the one by her side, never leaving her for a second. The once proud prince of Havenford humbled himself, kneeling before her again and again, pleading with her just to stay alive.
In the end, Audrey chose to live but refused to remain in Havenford, the place that had brought her nothing but heartbreak. With the Ross Family's support, she left for another country, far away from all the pain.
After Audrey was gone, Hayden changed. He no longer spoke of love, no longer smiled. He sank into silence, his grief turning to cold hatred. Then, in the cruelest way possible, he married me—not out of affection, but as an act of punishment, using every opportunity to make my life unbearable, as if avenging Audrey through my suffering.