I'll Save Us from His Cursed Mistress

The mirror rippled, and the woman's reflection faded to reveal my own.

I wore an ornate red wedding gown, hand-embroidered by my mother-in-law, Katie Burris.

The crown resting on my head was something my husband, Sean Clay, had petitioned the court for.

Every piece of furniture in this room had been chosen by the two of us.

Today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, but now everything had been shattered.

I closed my eyes and knit my brows, fighting back my tears.

Sean knocked gently on the door three times. "Tia, even if I have children with her, you're the only one in my heart. Why else would I marry you?"

As I stared at his shadow on the door, my hands clenched so tight that my nails cut into my palms, stinging me.

We had grown up together, barely spending a day apart since we were five. The times we were away from each other could be counted on one hand.

After our engagement, we were practically joined at the hip.

And yet, behind my back, he had fathered two children with another woman.

The older was four, while the younger was two.

If a maidservant hadn't slipped up, I would still be completely in the dark.

It was all a scheme. They did all this so the money my parents gave them as a wedding gift could cover the funds they'd embezzled from the court.

The love I thought was pure was nothing but a calculated lie.

My chest throbbed with a pain so sharp that my hands trembled.

A flood of strange memories kept warning me not to throw a scene. I couldn't afford to.

Sean was named heir to the dukedom at a young age.

His aunt was the empress, his father was her brother, and his mother was a noblewoman of the highest rank.

I was merely a merchant's daughter.

I couldn't fight them. I couldn't win.

If our parents hadn't been old acquaintances, I would never have been worthy of him.

Katie and her husband, Stanley Clay, rushed over and knocked on the door.

Katie said, "Tia, it's me. I know this is hard to swallow, but take care of yourself. Don't cry. You'll break my heart."

Stanley added, "Tia, we owe you an apology. But now that the marriage is done, we have to look forward. I promise you, no illegitimate child will ever outrank an heir born to you."

After taking a few deep breaths, I finally pulled the door open.

Sean's face was the first thing I saw.

Panic flashed in his eyes as he grabbed my hands. "Tia, I'm so sorry. Hit me, yell at me, do whatever you want. Just don't ignore me."

He raised his hand to slap his face, but I stopped him.

His eyes lit up, and he pulled me into a tight embrace. "I knew you still care about me."

I let him hold me, forcing a faint smile. "Men having concubines is nothing unusual. I was just caught off guard. I'm sorry for worrying you, Mother, Father."

Stanley and Katie visibly relaxed.

"That's our girl. We watched you grow up, and you've always known how to put the bigger picture first."

"Don't worry, we won't let you suffer any injustice under our roof," Katie said, wrapping her arm around me as if to take my side.

Their warm facade stood in stark contrast to those strange memories.

In those memories, I had lost my mind, smashing things and screaming at Stanley and Katie for betraying my parents.

After all, the wedding gift from my parents was real gold and silver.

Stanley's face had turned as cold as ice. "Without my protection, do you think your family could survive in Jendral?"

Katie had slapped me across the face. "Don't push your luck! You're married to him now. How dare you insult us? What, do you want the whole town talking?"

And Sean lost all remorse after my outburst. He locked me in the bridal chamber to cool off for a whole month.

A cold shiver ran down my spine, and my gaze hardened. I helped Sean up from his knees. "Don't say things like that. She has two children. Keeping them outside isn't right. Bring them here tomorrow."

Sean agreed instantly.

Stanley and Katie coaxed me back into the room to finish the wedding night.

First thing the next morning, Sean brought the mistress, Paige Dale, and her entourage back.

Sean and Paige walked up front, followed by two nannies carrying the children.

In front of Stanley and Katie, Paige merely gave me a slight nod. "Forgive me, Your Grace. It's not that I don't want to bow, but I'm pregnant, and the physician advised me to rest."