Chapter 1

In the darkness, a suffocating sensation crashed over me, making my heart seize in sharp, wrenching spasms.

As it turned out, Maddox Harlow had convinced my husband, Trevor Penn, to abuse me. Then, Maddox had pursued me himself, persuading me to fake my death and abandon everything just so I could be with him.

However, this very man who claimed he would marry me was now planning to marry Callista Whitcombe right after burying me alive.

But now, I'd woken up too early, and it was too dark to see if there was food or water in the coffin. The cramped, narrow space also made it nearly impossible to breathe.

Through the wooden lid, Maddox's voice sounded muffled, yet every word pierced me like a blade, pinning me firmly inside the coffin.

"Back then, when Callie's status as an illegitimate child was exposed, her engagement to Trevor was handed to Judith, her younger sister. Callie lost her love, so I have to help her gain power and status instead. I promised her that I'd always have her back.

"As for Judith, in order to punish her over these past few years, I had Trevor torment her physically. Letting her go now is mercy. And she loves me so much anyway. She'll forever remain in the beautiful dream I wove for her."

Someone next to him hesitated slightly, sounding a little reluctant.

"But Judith doesn't know that faking her death means actually being buried. Burying a living person underground for seven full days is too risky. And Judith is terrified of the dark and has severe claustrophobia. What if something happens to her inside the coffin…"

"It won't!" Maddox snapped, his tone absolute.

"The Whitcombes are very cautious, so we need to go all the way with this act. Seven days is nothing. And in reality, she'll only be conscious for about two of them. What could possibly go wrong?

"Besides, Trevor promised me that every time he finished beating her, he'd lock her in a closet, so she should be used to it by now.

"Callie has waited five years for this chance. We must make sure everything is foolproof. Once everything is settled and we're married, I'll get a fake marriage certificate with Judith overseas to fool her. We'll give her everything she needs and keep her comfortable so she never returns to the country."

Their footsteps faded away. I used every ounce of my strength, but I couldn't make even the slightest noise.

The drug that induced the fake death kept my mind clear, yet my body—and my vocal cords—were paralyzed. I was unable to make any sounds.

As my claustrophobia flared, I bit down hard on my tongue, forcing myself to stay calm. My back was already drenched in cold sweat. The pitch-black darkness, where I couldn't even see my own hand, made me think about the last five years I'd spent married to Trevor.

Every time he was done abusing me, he'd lock me inside the closet afterward. The painful memories came crashing over me like a tidal wave, making my stomach twist violently.

Two years ago, after being locked in the closet again, it had been Maddox who saved me. The moment he opened the doors, I felt as though I'd seen an angel—someone who could drive away all the darkness in my life.

From then on, Maddox pursued me relentlessly. He tended to my battered body, soothed my shattered heart, and told me to be brave and fight back against the abuse.

I foolishly believed that I'd found my salvation. What I didn't know was that every ounce of suffering I endured had been orchestrated by Maddox himself.

He asked Trevor to hurt me, then turned around and played the role of the hero who healed me.

And all of this was for my older sister, Callista Whitcombe.

I bit down hard on my lip, desperate to force my body to move.

Suddenly, I heard the door open. The sharp click of high heels approached, followed by a soft, sweet voice.

"Maddox, will Judith really be okay buried underground for seven days? She's being buried today… She is my little sister after all, and it just feels a bit too cruel."

I felt as if I'd grabbed onto a lifeline. Inside, I screamed desperately, "Save me! Please, just open the coffin and take a look! You just need to take one glance, and you'll see I'm already awake!

"I don't want to be buried alive! I don't want to experience the agonizing pain of suffocating in the darkness!"