Chapter 1

Jasper Oakley yanked me up from the daybed in one brutal motion. His hawk-like eyes looked like they were ready to kill.

He roared, "You shameless woman! I was only gone for three years, and you couldn't even wait? You got yourself knocked up! Speak! Who is the father?"

The cup of sage wine I had been sipping slipped from my hand and shattered onto the floor with a loud crash.

My mother-in-law, Agnes Dodson, hurried in. When she saw Jasper gripping my neck tightly, her face went pale with shock.

"Jasper, don't touch her!" she cried. "She's carrying—"

Before she could finish, Jasper cut her off with a furious shout. "Isabella Slade, I'm asking you a question!"

My eardrums throbbed with pain from his booming voice. The anger in my heart flared and burned bright.

I wrenched my hand free. "You left for three years without a word! And you dumped the debt-ridden household on me and vanished completely! According to our laws, if a man is absent for a year without cause, the marriage may be dissolved. You and I are no longer husband and wife."

Jasper's face flushed scarlet with rage. Without another word, he dragged me toward the door.

"You slept with another man! How dare you still argue with me? Fine. I'll let the people see exactly what a harlot you are!" he growled.

My pregnancy made me weak, so I had no strength to resist him.

Agnes burst into tears and rushed forward to block him. "Jasper, listen to me. Let go of Isabella—"

Jasper flew into a greater rage and struck me hard across the face. A metallic taste instantly filled my mouth.

His enraged voice rang out beside my ear. "What have you done to hoodwink my mother? She's so old, yet you're forcing her to cover for you? I'll deal with you myself today!"

Agnes froze, too frightened to step forward again. She was afraid that defending me would only make him beat me harder. If I lost the child I was carrying, she didn't know how to answer for it.

I was dragged straight out of the manor gates, where a woman dressed in white stood waiting outside.

It was Pauline Simmons, the woman Jasper had never stopped pining after.

Three years ago, when Jasper left, she vanished as well. Now, it was all clear for me to see. They must have gone off to the border and spent time together like they were husband and wife.

Seeing my disheveled state, Pauline covered her mouth and laughed softly. "I never imagined you'd be so licentious. That works out nicely. I won't need to do anything at all."

Before I could speak, Jasper hauled me in front of the townsfolk who had gathered at the door due to the commotion.

He announced loudly, "Isabella, seeing as you contributed by managing the household for three years, I'll give you a choice. If you demote yourself to a mistress and give the position of the wife to Pauline, I'll let you continue living in the General's Manor. Otherwise…"

Jasper let out a cold laugh and drew his sword. "I'll kill you right here, you vile woman!"

Listening to his words, I felt nothing but bitter irony.

Before he left, he had promised that when he returned, he would help me seek justice for Mother with the military merits he earned in battle. That was why I had endured the ridicule of the entire Jeymirth and made use of my wedding gifts to keep the General's Manor afloat.

Even when tragedy befell Mother, Jasper had yet to return. Mother had ended up dead from the constant torment that Father's mistress, Margery Corbin, had inflicted on her.

It was no wonder he didn't kill me in my room earlier. He feared public reproach and wanted to force me to relinquish my position on my own.

The maids and townspeople murmured among themselves.

"I knew it. General Oakley never came home. How could his wife get pregnant?"

"Mrs. Oakley took such careful care of her. I thought…"

"Enough!"

Unable to stand it any longer, Agnes rushed forward. She helped me up and glared coldly at Pauline. "I know better than anyone whose child Isabella is carrying. The baby is not an illegitimate child."

Jasper stared at her in disbelief. "Mother, this wretch of a woman never came to find me at the borders. How could she possibly be carrying my child?"

Agnes answered firmly, "This child is legitimate. Anyone who dares say another word will be given military punishment!"

Pauline tugged at Jasper's sleeve and sobbed softly. "Jasper, Mrs. Oakley must have been deceived. What kind of mother-in-law would tolerate her daughter-in-law committing adultery?

"I've heard there are addictive drugs that can be used to control people. Mrs. Oakley looks far more haggard than before. Could it be that…"

Upon hearing that, Jasper's hands clenched into fists. He drew his sword again in a single motion.

"Isabella, you're courting death!" he roared.

I shot back, "Are you really clueless as to why Agnes looks so haggard? Do you really not know who's responsible, Jasper?"