Chapter 1

It started with a single photo Avery McPherson had posted on social media—one that inadvertently showed Lara Womack's dog in heat. From that moment on, Avery found herself the target of vicious slander. Using AI, someone created fake explicit content of her and circulated it online to ruin her reputation. Determined to fight back, Avery reported the defamatory attack to the authorities. However, all she got in return were empty promises and indifferent responses. Growing more desperate, Avery finally called her husband of three years, Elijah Tarver. "It's just some AI nonsense. Why are you blowing this out of proportion?" he said, his voice cold and dismissive. But almost right away, he took the initiative to arrange a press conference to address the controversy surrounding Lara's dog. At that very moment, Avery's phone buzzed with a message from her stepbrother, Walter McPherson. "Our agreement will expire in one month. After that, it's your choice whether to stay or go." "I'm leaving." This time, Avery didn't hesitate for a second. "After three years of marriage, do you truly have no feelings for him?" Walter asked, his expression a mix of disbelief and relief. Everyone had always believed Avery's love for Elijah was limitless. "That's right. I don't love him," Avery replied. "And I don't love you either," she thought, holding the words tightly within. A flock of geese moved south across the sky. Avery lifted her head, a relieved smile softening her lips. She was finally free to leave behind both Elijah and Walter. Three years ago, the McPherson family stood at the edge of bankruptcy. Their sole chance for survival was to secure a marriage alliance with the influential Tarver family of Hartington. Back then, Walter knelt before Avery, one knee to the ground. "I'm begging you, Ave. Please help our family this one time. If you won't do it for them, then do it for me." With a heavy heart, Avery looked at him and whispered, "But Walter, you're the one I love. Why would you ask me to marry another man?" Walter avoided her gaze. "Ave, we're brother and sister. It's not possible for us to be together. Elijah is rich and influential. Marrying him would give you the best chance at a good life." Avery let out a bitter laugh, tears streaming down her cheeks. As the Tarver family's heir, Elijah certainly possessed wealth, power, and undeniable charm. Nonetheless, everyone in Hartington knew he could never move on from his first love. He and Lara had been childhood sweethearts, growing up side by side. Everyone assumed they would marry one day. But overnight, the Womack family went bankrupt. Refusing to stay confined in a gilded cage, Lara left only a farewell letter before disappearing without a trace. Following her departure, Elijah turned to alcohol, drowning himself in it day after day. Feeling sorry for him, the Tarvers arranged his marriage to Avery, hoping it would pull him from the darkness. But even after the wedding, Elijah acted like a man possessed, prowling the city for anyone who could fill Lara's place. He never gave Avery so much as a glance. On their wedding night, he went so far as to bring a substitute into their bed. With Elijah's open disdain for Avery, the McPhersons knew their hopes of turning things around were all but lost. Time and again, Walter pleaded with Avery. She had no choice but to cast aside her pride, humiliating herself like a desperate fool. To gain Elijah's favor, she forced herself to mimic Lara's style and interests. Since Lara loved extreme sports, Avery pushed herself to conquer her fear of heights. Despite the cold sweat soaking her skin, she leapt from ten thousand meters into the sky below. While Lara enjoyed her drinks, Avery was allergic to alcohol. She had to endure countless allergy injections just to be able to drink with Elijah. Lara's love for cooking was no different. To hone her abilities, Avery journeyed all the way to Frankland. Fortunately, her efforts paid off. In the end, Elijah sent all the stand-ins away and gave his full attention to Avery. In their moments of passion, he would kiss her gently and whisper, "Just be yourself." Everyone believed Elijah had finally moved on from the past. They were sure his marriage was now destined for a brighter future. But one day, Lara showed up out of nowhere. From that moment on, Elijah often took Avery to social events. People couldn't help but comment on how loving and inseparable they appeared as a couple. However, only Avery knew the truth—he was using her to make Lara jealous. Elijah had left her stranded at the club, only to be caught passionately kissing Lara in the restroom. He purchased an entire clothing collection for Avery, but somehow ended up entangled with Lara in the fitting room. Even her birthday party became nothing more than a convenient excuse for him to meet with Lara. It didn't take long for Avery to become the object of ridicule, but she couldn't care less. She had never truly loved Elijah, after all. Ten years ago, her mother, Michelle Wright, remarried into the McPherson family. Unfortunately, she passed away shortly after, succumbing to her illness. To the McPhersons, Avery was nothing more than an unwanted burden. The only person who had ever shown her care was Walter. For ten years, he had been both a father and a mother to her. When she got her first period, it was he who patiently walked her through it. Even though it embarrassed him, he still took care to wash her soiled clothes. Despite their sibling bond, Avery couldn't help but fall in love with him. For Walter's sake, she would have given up everything. Through 970 long, grueling days, it was his kindness that had kept her going. But one day, everything changed. Outside the McPherson residence, Avery stood silently, holding a container of ravioli she'd poured her heart into. It was Walter's favorite dish. "Most people assume Avery's crazy about Elijah. They have no clue it's you she really cares about," someone said. Walter suddenly spoke, his tone stripped of the tenderness it once held. "All I did was throw her a little kindness. Who would've thought she'd cling on so tightly?" "In any case, the 1000-day agreement is coming to an end. If she insists on ending the marriage, are you prepared to take her in? She wouldn't be going through this pain if it wasn't because of you." "How could I? She's no longer a virgin. If you want her, she's all yours." The steaming container of ravioli slipped from Avery's hands and hit the ground. Her face went pale as the shock hit her. Everything she believed had been a lie. "Then why haven't you had a single woman by your side all these years?" The room fell into a suffocating silence. Avery held her breath, anxiety tightening around her chest. After a long, heavy pause, Walter finally said, "There just hasn't been anyone suitable." Avery's breaths came in harsh, uneven gasps. She felt as though she were waiting for a death sentence. Suddenly, her phone rang, pulling her back to reality. "Hello, is this Ms. Avery McPherson? I'm afraid Mr. Rowan Quinn—your biological father—is gravely ill. As he has no other heirs, a 20-billion inheritance is waiting for you. "However, there is one condition. You must change your name and registered address back to what they were previously."