Framed, So I Walked Away

The day Titus Holt announced he would take us back with him, I was packing my luggage.

He walked into the room, casually glanced at my luggage, and commented with a frown, "The Riso family is a noble household. They have everything. If you need something, you can buy it when we get back."

My hand paused. The precious items that were fiercely fought over in the slums were now just a pile of junk in the eyes of my husband, who had been reclaimed by a noble family.

However, I had no intention of going back to Napple with him. These were all the belongings I was taking to Swizor. I was about to tell Titus that I would not go back with him, but I was interrupted by Melissa Gunther.

"Titus, I..." Melissa jogged over, her eyes slightly red and her voice choked. "I really... don't know how to thank you. I've suffered so much in these slums. I never thought I would be so lucky to have you take me to such a wonderful place. You've given me a new life!"

She looked up, pretending to just notice my presence and deliberately hiding her hand with a bracelet behind her back. "Noelle, this is the only memento my grandmother left me. I can't give it to you. I'll give you all the money. Please don't take my bracelet anymore!"

Titus immediately interrupted her, "Alright, we can have all the good things when we get back. I'll buy her something better. Don't mention this again."

If I had not experienced my past life, I would have thought this was Titus protecting me. However, I knew he never truly believed me. He suppressed everything only to prevent his son's birth mother from bearing this unpleasant stigma.

I suppressed the bitterness in my heart and looked directly into Titus' eyes, saying, "I didn't steal the bracelet. Do you believe me?"

Titus paused and replied with a gentle expression, "No one blames you. It's all in the past. Let's pretend nothing happened! We're leaving the day after tomorrow. Don't waste your energy on unimportant things."

He did not blame me, but he had never believed me either. I never escaped the stigma of being a thief.

…

When we returned to Riso Manor in my past life, the servants were outwardly respectful, but they all disdainfully called me Madame Thief behind my back.

By the time I found out, the nickname 'Madame Thief' had already spread far and wide.

I sobbed as I asked Titus to clear my name, but he flew into a rage and immediately banished all the gossiping servants from the manor.

His actions did nothing to repair my reputation; instead, they made the elders of the Riso family dissatisfied with me.

I insisted on thoroughly investigating the source of the rumors, but Titus stopped me with a sigh. "Listen to me, Noelle. Now is really not the time to pursue this. I've only just got back and haven't even settled in yet. Many people in the family are watching me, waiting for me to make a mistake."

He paused before adding solemnly, "Making a big fuss over something unclear will only make us seem like we're making a mountain out of a molehill."

I questioned him in disbelief, "Making a mountain out of a molehill? Doesn't my innocence matter at all?"

Titus interrupted me irritably, his tone firm. "Enough, Noelle! I told you that this matter ends here. What's the point of investigating further besides adding to the trouble and implicating innocent people? Please stop causing trouble for the sake of this family's peace, okay? Melissa finally adapted to the environment here; she can't withstand a second wave of trouble!"

Titus' words were like a sharp knife, piercing me deeply. He would rather wrong me than let Melissa, the culprit, be affected in the slightest. Melissa's reputation was more important than my life.

Since I could do it all over again, I decided not to go back with my husband and son. I would go far away and let them have their happily ever after.