Chapter 1

"Anker, we've been caring for her for three whole years. Just because she saved you in that car accident, you plan to repay her with your entire life?" "There are many ways to repay a debt, marrying her isn't the only one." I stood to the side, fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of my dress, listening to Anker and his mother talk. Ever since Charlotte returned from studying abroad in Europe, Mrs. Ford looked at me like I was an out-of-season gown—awkward and superfluous. My IQ is only 75, but I'm not deaf. They wanted me gone. Charlotte, the brightest new investment star on the West Coast, Anker's first love from Yale, the Ford family's most favored daughter-in-law candidate. Everyone said it was time for me, the 'CEO's wife' who rose through gratitude, to step down. But no one remembered that the marriage alliance between the Phillips and Ford families was set twenty years ago. Every night, he would hold me as I fell asleep, whispering in my ear that I was his. We were so intimate. Was it just because my tested IQ number wasn't impressive enough that I had to give everything up to Charlotte? Tears welled in my eyes as I looked up at Anker. The afternoon sun traced the sharp angles of his profile, gilding him in light. Those deep, sea-blue eyes were always inscrutable. The low pressure radiating from him now dropped the temperature in the entire sitting room. If I hadn't gotten used to it over the past three years, I might have hidden behind the curtains like I did the first time we met. "Mother, Emma Phillips is the designated fiancée by the family; she needs no additional justification. Moreover—" He suddenly grabbed my trembling hand, interlacing our fingers, "She needs me." "Absurd!" Mrs. Ford stood abruptly. "She can't even master basic social etiquette! Do you plan to make the Ford family a laughingstock for all of New York high society?" I trembled violently, only to be pulled the next second into the familiar scent of his embrace. Anker's voice sounded above my head: "You're frightening her, Mother." "Look at her!" A strand of Mrs. Ford's meticulously styled blonde hair fell loose. "What can she do besides hide behind a man? Our Ford family's dignity..." My fingertips trembled uncontrollably, nails digging almost into my palms. But I knew I couldn't be the crack between Anker and his mother. I took a deep breath, mustering all my strength to push aside Anker's tall frame shielding me. "Mrs. Ford…" I tried hard to keep my voice steady, "Please… don't be angry. I won't…" "Who permitted you to address me like that?" Her voice suddenly rose, her bright red fingernails almost stabbing the air towards my face. "Since you stepped into this house, my son has been bewitched! You're a curse! Why can't you just leave gracefully?" Her words pierced my chest like ice picks. After Grandpa died, the whole world bared its fangs at me. The once-warm smiles turned into scowls of disgust, as if my very existence was a mistake. "Look at her!" Mrs. Ford accused. "What else can she do besides win sympathy with tears? The Ford family's reputation will be ruined by her sooner or later!" "Mrs. Ford," a voice as clear as wind chimes suddenly rang out. Charlotte glided over to Mrs. Ford's side, gently taking her arm. "You know Emma is… special. Don't be too hard on her."