Chapter 1

"Go away! Don't ever dream of sleeping in the same bed with me!"

Nathaniel pushed Ariana away after fulfilling his desire, as if she was nothing more than an item that was no longer needed.

Ariana's body staggered, almost losing her balance, but she remained still. No resistance, no protest. With trembling hands, she picked up her clothes that were scattered on the floor, then walked to the sofa that had been her bed since the first night they were married.

Her tears fell silently. Every night was a new wound for her.

"Nathaniel, why do you still treat me like trash after you've completed your desire?"

Nathaniel, who was already lying down with his eyes closed, just sighed lazily.

"I never wanted this marriage, Ariana. So don't expect you to earn my love."

His voice sounded cold, like a sharp wind slicing Ariana's heart.

Ariana bit her lip, holding back the sob that was about to break. She didn't expect much. Love might be too much of a luxury for a woman like her-a woman forced into marriage by circumstance.

However, should she always be treated like this?

---

The Next Morning

Dawn was just breaking, but Ariana already had to get up. As usual, she had to prepare for the needs of Nathaniel's extended family. The house was grand, standing proud with tall pillars and expensive furniture, but not a single servant worked in it. All the housework fell to her, as if she were a servant, not a wife.

As she was busy in the kitchen, a sharp cry echoed out, shattering the morning calm.

"Ariana! Why isn't breakfast ready this morning?"

The voice of Eleanor, her mother-in-law, was shrill with anger.

Ariana hurriedly approached the woman with a frightened face.

"I'm sorry, Mother. I woke up late."

Eleanor folded her arms across her chest, a look of contempt in her eyes.

"You lazy bastard! You're just asked to take care of the house, but you can't do it! Especially when you have to compete with the beautiful women out there!"

Deg!

Ariana's heart sank. Those words, though she had heard them many times, still cut deep. Her accident-damaged face always made her feel worthless.

Ariana looked down. "I'm sorry, Mother. I'll try harder."

Eleanor grinned sarcastically. "Indeed, Nathaniel should remarry. I'm getting more and more sick of seeing your disgusting face."

Ariana bit her lip until it bled. It wasn't the first time she'd been insulted, but it still hurt.

Just then, Nathaniel came down from upstairs, hearing his mother's voice echoing throughout the house.

"What's wrong, Mom? It's early, why are you yelling?" he asked lazily.

Eleanor turned around with an angry face. "Look, Nathan, your wife who you're always defending! She won't prepare breakfast for us!"

Ariana was stunned. "Mom, I never said I wouldn't make breakfast. I just-"

Plak!

A hard slap from Eleanor cut her off.

"Look, she even had the nerve to accuse me of lying in front of you, Nathan!"

Nathaniel's eyes turned sharp. Without hearing any further explanation, he immediately grabbed Ariana's hand and dragged her into the room.

"I was kind enough to marry you! But why are you always looking for trouble with my mother?" Nathaniel shouted, his anger overflowing.

Ariana shook her head quickly. "I'm not looking for trouble, Nathaniel. I'm just-"

Plak!

The slap came again. Harder this time.

Ariana's body staggered back, her cheeks hot and stinging. The pain traveled all the way to her heart.

She looked up, staring at her husband with tears in her eyes.

"Nathaniel..." her voice was almost a whisper.

But the man only gave her a cold stare before turning away, leaving her in agonizing silence.

Ariana let out a shaky breath, turning her head towards the large mirror in the corner of the room.

For the first time in a long time, she actually noticed her own reflection.

Her face...

The scar was still there. That flaw. The ugliness that was always used as an excuse to insult him.

"I'm innocent, Nathan! Why is everyone treating me like disgusting trash?"

Ariana's voice was soft, almost drowned out by her own sobs.

She leaned closer to the mirror, touching her reflection with trembling fingers.

"My face is disgusting... no wonder they're disgusted with me.”

The sadness deepened, creeping into every corner of her heart.

Ariana closed her eyes tightly, trying to hold back the pain that seemed to tear her soul apart. She was alone, with no one to defend her.

She wanted to leave. Leave this house. Escape the hell that tormented her every day.

But where to?

She realized that even the outside world might not accept her with this face.

Suddenly, her mind drifted to the past. To the faces that should still be with her, but had left her alone.

"Mom... Dad... why did you have the heart to leave me here alone?"

Her sobs broke out, echoing in the empty room.

Outside, Nathaniel stood in the doorway. He could hear Ariana's cries clearly, but chose to ignore them. Letting Ariana hurt even more with her life.