Chapter 1 Her Tragic Life

The room was freezing, the kind of cold that cut through to her bones. She clutched her stomach, trembling as sharp pain wracked her body. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she gritted her teeth against the stabbing pain.

The bare room seemed to close in on her, amplifying her loneliness. She lifted her gaze to the clock. Each tick felt like an enemy, dragging time away. It was 11:00 p.m., and her husband still hadn't come home.

With shaky hands, she reached for the phone on the bed. The cold air blew her hair as she struggled to dial her husband’s number. Her heart raced with every ring, and it felt like forever. Finally, the call came through.

A woman with a sharp and mocking tone could be heard on the other end.

“Hey, old witch, why are you calling my man at this hour?” the woman sneered.

Her words hit her like cold water splashing on her face. She clenched her teeth, but the pain in her stomach was so intense, it overwhelmed the anger she fought to suppress.

“Eira Carson, I know my husband is with you. Please… tell him to save me,” she begged her voice barely a whisper. “I’m… dying…”

“Hahaha! You’re still breathing, older sister? Aren’t you tired? Why not just let go and be free?” Eira taunted.

"Please..." she gasped.

"Who is that?" a deep voice came through.

“Who else could it be? Your wife,” Eira sneered.

“Oh, that bitch. Don’t call her my wife. I feel sick every time I hear her name. If it weren't for revenge, I would have left her long ago,” Riven's voice was cold and blunt.

Astrid clenched her jaw and she bit her lips as she fought back her tears. She pleaded, "Riven... I'm dying. Please save me..."

There was a brief silence, and Astrid thought the call had been disconnected.

Riven's cold voice cut through the speaker like a blade, “How do you expect me to care for a monster like you? Murderers like you deserve no humanity because you're too lowly to be treated like one!” He said harshly. “For my brother’s life that you took, so must your life be taken," Before Astrid could respond, the line went dead with a harsh click.

Astrid stared at the screen. Her hand trembled. She didn't expect him to be this cruel and yet here she was. A harsh laugh escaped her lips. A laugh she couldn't stop.

Hahaha, Hahaha, Hahaha!’

"He hung up on me. He actually hung up on me." Astrid's laughter bubbled up, bitter and jagged, as tears welled in the corners of her eyes. She couldn’t stop. The sound of it—empty and hollow—filled the room, like a cruel joke.

As the laughter slowly died, Riven's cold words rang in her mind, harsh and unforgiving. ‘How do you expect me to care for a monster like you.’ She didn't expect him to care - she never had- but hearing the cold truth was too unbearable.

She whispered to herself, almost a mumble, “Right, I thought too highly of myself.” It was self-deprecating, but even she could barely hear it.

She sat still. Her gaze was fixed on the soft glow of the bed lamp. It seemed to mock her- it reminded her of the hope she once held onto. A low mocking chuckle escaped her lips.

As Astrid sat there reflecting on her life,

“Urgh—”

A sharp pain in her lower abdomen brought her back to reality. She didn’t know what was happening; all she had consumed that day was milk.

Astrid was only allowed to eat once a day, and the only thing she drank was the milk that sat on the dining table. And she took it in the afternoon.

“Ouch…” she winced in pain as she struggled to get up.

As Astrid made her way to the main hall, she noticed the servants bustling about. None of them acknowledged her presence.

She clutched one of the maids' dresses and whispered, “Please… help me to the hospital…” Her eyes were filled with desperation as she stared at the maid intensely.

The maid stared at her with disdain. "As someone who killed Sir Thoren, you are not worthy of help from anyone. Let go of my dress.” The maid pushed her away gently and coldly from her suffering.

All the while, some of the maids watched her. They gathered and gossiped about her without making any effort to help.

Astrid heard their comments. They were all mumbling but she could hear them all.

Astrid bit her lip, stifling the tears that attempted to spill.

Did they believe what they saw? Did they think she was heartless enough to take a life? No one seems to care about her, no one!

Astrid shut her eyes slowly, gathering her last bit of strength as her hands trembled and pain consumed her body.

She dragged her painful body, each step felt as if she was walking on a thick mud road.

The security guard was the only one who showed her any pity.

“Madam, what’s wrong?" He rushed to her side and helped her toward the gate.

“I’m feeling severe pain in my lower abdomen; please.......take me to the hospital." She clung to his sleeve, her lips trembling as she pleaded.

“I…I…can't...I wish I could help, Madam, but sir would have my head if he finds out," the security guard replied in a helpless tone.

Sigh…he believed Madam didn't kill Thoren. She was a good person and didn't deserve to be treated this way. But who was he to make conclusion?

“Please…” Astrid begged.

The security guard sighed helplessly, “I can only escort you to the gate.”

He said this as he guided her to the gate.

“I hope one day, you will prove them wrong." He muttered, staring at her back.

---

Astrid walked out of the mansion, her mind clouded with thoughts. The maids' insults echoed in her ears, Riven’s cruel words stayed with her, and even the guard’s hesitant kindness felt like too much to bear.

Her body felt weak, and every step seemed harder than the last. Her stomach ached sharply, and her vision was starting to blur. She focused on moving forward. She had to find a cab, just one cab to get her to the hospital.

The road ahead looked darker and longer with every step. Her legs shook, and her body felt unsteady. She moved forward, clinging to the thought that help was close.

Images of her old life flashed through her mind—her family’s warm home, the days when she was surrounded by love and respect. Those moments felt like someone else’s life, not hers.

The pain in her stomach grew worse, forcing her back to the present. Her steps became uneven, her body dragging her forward

In the distance, she heard the sound of a car approaching. It grew louder, but she barely noticed. A sharp horn blared, breaking through her thoughts. She turned her head and saw the headlights coming toward her.

Her body wouldn’t move. She stayed there, frozen in place.

For a brief moment, her mind went blank. The pain, the memories, the voices—all of it disappeared.

And then, everything went quiet.