Chapter 1

Gus Davidson tortured me for hours before I breathed my last.

It happened on the first anniversary of our marriage. It was also the first anniversary of Sienna Frazer's death.

Freezing water drenched me, making me feel like I was in hell. In my hand was the research grant I'd just secured for Gus, a triumph I hadn't yet shared.

I looked up at him, but the esteemed professor at Jeloria University stared back with such craze, as if he wanted to devour me.

"Feeling the pain?" He grabbed my chin, forcing a mix of strong liquor and a strange, perfumed substance down my throat.

I choked, coughing violently. "Why?"

He turned and ordered his bodyguards to drag me up.

Powerless, I was hauled across the floor like a ragdoll. After what felt like forever, I ended up in a cemetery.

They forced my head down, making me bow to a tombstone.

Rain washed over the grave, rinsing the blood from my face.

Gus said, "When Sienna faced everyone's accusations, her pain was a thousand times worse than yours. You'll atone for your sins."

He shed his usual scholarly demeanor, his eyes burning with deep-seated hatred.

The drugs dulled my mind. It took me a moment to recall the unremarkable name.

At our engagement banquet, Sienna tried to drug his wine.

I could've exposed her, but I didn't want my carefully planned event ruined. So, I discreetly had a servant swap the glass, keeping the matter quiet.

Then that drugged wine ended up with a notorious rich playboy. Later, they were caught going at it in a lounge.

The playboy, leveraging his family's wealth and influence, claimed Sienna seduced him to climb the social ladder.

A video leaked. Sienna's reputation was ruined, and she lost her guaranteed admission to graduate school.

Facing endless public scorn, she jumped from a high-rise.

Seeing her body, he scoffed, "I misjudged her. I shouldn't have sponsored a student like her."

On the surface, we appeared to be a perfect, enviable couple, but deep down, he believed I ruined Sienna's life and caused her death.

The drug's effects kicked in.

"Enjoy the gift I prepared for you," Gus snorted.

The door opened, and blinding lights forced me to shield my eyes.

Fat perverts surrounded me, leering with predatory intent. "Don't think about ending it. We've got a long night ahead."

"Go atone in hell," Gus said, walking away and leaving me in endless darkness.

The room was stained red with my blood.

After my death, Gus spread lies that I'd cheated during our marriage and died seeking thrills.

With public sympathy, he climbed to greater heights.