All Chapters of A Castle Built on Lies: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

A wave of pain spread through the clusters of needle marks on my arm.After all these years of going through countless IVF treatments and taking countless medications, my body was ruined.But everyone said I was the problem.Filled with guilt, I blamed myself and put up with Eric Compton's bad temper in every way.In the end, I found out that it was all because of the glasses of milk he'd handed me himself.I stood frozen like a statue while the mocking laughter in the room continued."Not bad, Eric. Avery's always been so cold and distant, but you've got her listening to every command. The two of you must be doing pretty great in bed, huh?"Eric raised his eyebrows. "It's Avery who begs me for it, so I'm just using her for practice. Monica's coming back soon. What if I hurt her?"Eric added, "Monica's not some country bumpkin like Avery who can handle it rough. She's delicate."When he mentioned Monica Lynch, the soft look on his face made my eyes sting with tears. Every word

Chapter 2

I dragged my tired feet home only to see my things scattered all over the floor.The moment I saw the framed photo on the ground, the color drained from my face.I picked it up with trembling hands. With red-rimmed eyes, I screamed at the housekeeper, "Who gave you permission to touch my dad's photo?"She didn't even bother to look up and coldly replied, "Mr. Compton gave the order. If you have a problem, take it up with him."Her tone was full of contempt, as if I wasn't the lady of the house. After all, I was probably worth less than trash in the Compton family.Just then, a voice came from behind me."I told them to do it. What about it?"I turned around to see Eric impatiently staring at me."Monica's coming back. She loves places that face the sun, so move out of your room. You'll sleep in the staff quarters."He glanced at my worn-out clothes on the floor and sneered, "After all, that's the life you've always known, right? It doesn't seem like it's beneath you." Eric h

Chapter 3

When Eric heard what Monica said, he stood up.Before walking away, he coldly said, "Go reflect on your mistakes in the prayer room. You can come out when you realize what you did wrong!"He then had someone throw me into the dark room—the place I was always punished in.Right on the other side of the wall was Eric's bedroom. Inside, Monica's playful voice rang out, "Eric, I'm not hurt. Why were you so harsh toward Avery?""Scaring you was her biggest mistake! Besides, she's rough and tough. Locking her up won't hurt her," Eric replied.Then, the faint rustling of clothes followed. Monica's voice was soft and sweet as she said, "Eric, you're a married man. What we're doing isn't right."Eric's tone was full of affection as he replied, "You don't know how cheap she smells. I feel disgusted just touching her. You've been the only one I've loved all these years."Don't worry, I'll make sure it doesn't hurt…"Their moans and whispers slipped through the crack in the door, grati

Chapter 4

Barbara Lane's snide voice rang in my ear. A second later, a sharp pain shot through the soft flesh at my waist.She dismissively scoffed and pulled her hand back. "Why didn't you go to the IVF procedure I scheduled for you this week?"How could I when I had been locked in the dark room for three days and couldn't even leave the house?I was just about to explain myself when another voice cut in."Avery's been busy bag shopping for the past few days. She probably forgot about it," Eric said. He then shot me a warning glance, shutting me up before I could even speak.My heart sank. I knew he was afraid Barbara would take it out on Monica. But what about me? Did he ever stop to think what would happen to me after that?Sure enough, the moment Barbara heard that, she slapped me hard across the face. Instantly, a bright red handprint quickly appeared on my cheek."We took you in and cared for you, but you can't even get pregnant. Now, you even have the nerve to skip your IVF a

Chapter 5

Eric clutched his cheek in disbelief and cried out, "Grandpa, why did you hit me? Avery was the one who messed up. Why are you taking her side?"Heartbreak was evident in Barbara's eyes when she saw Eric getting slapped. She couldn't help but complain, saying, "Richard, can't you talk things through? Why would you hit Eric?"Richard scoffed and pointed at me, my cheek still marked with a bright red handprint. "Talk things through? Then why didn't you talk to Avery? You slapped her, didn't you?"After being scolded in front of everyone, Barbara immediately looked upset. After all, she was someone who always cared deeply about keeping up appearances.She shot back without thinking. "That's because Avery's just too irresponsible! She's been married into this family for seven years and still hasn't gotten pregnant."I told her to go through with IVF, but all she cares about is having fun! She's forgotten her responsibility as Eric's wife!" The more Barbara spoke, the more sure of hers

Chapter 6

Eric froze, then blurted out without thinking, "Didn't Avery force Monica to leave?"Barbara couldn't help but chime in as well, "You insisted on Eric and Avery's marriage back then. I couldn't stop it no matter how hard I tried. "Monica's such a nice young lady. Why did you have to end Eric's engagement with her?""You say Monica is a nice young lady?" Richard scoffed and pulled out a stack of documents. "She was desperate to abandon Eric the moment our family was on the verge of bankruptcy. She saw him as dead weight!" Richard said. He continued, "When the family business ran into trouble, I thought the Lynches might've helped us. Our families had been close for generations, after all. But I didn't expect them to not only break off the engagement but also try to take advantage of our situation!"I had no choice but to agree to break the engagement. I only kept the truth from all of you because I was afraid Eric wouldn't be able to handle it."A look of regret crossed Richar

Chapter 7

Eric stared at the divorce agreement in front of him, unable to process what was happening. He blurted, "Grandpa, what divorce?"Richard snapped, "After every awful thing you've done to Avery, do you really want to keep her tied to you forever?"A look of confusion flashed across Eric's face. He turned to me, dumbfounded, and asked, "Avery, you want a divorce?"I pulled my clothes tighter around myself and calmly said, "Yes. Don't worry. You won't have to put up with my stench and my lowly self anymore."Eric turned pale and said in a low voice, "That was just me talking out of anger. Why did you take it seriously?"He added, "Avie, I know what I did before was wrong, but it was all because I misunderstood you! Now that it's all been cleared up, and I know you love me, can't we just move on?"I stared at Eric, wondering how he could even say something like that. Did he think he could brush off all the suffering I endured in our seven years of marriage just by calling it a misunde

Chapter 8

When I woke up, I was already back at the Compton residence. Richard looked at me with an unreadable expression. He said, "Avery, you're pregnant."I froze, then blurted, "How is that possible? Didn't Eric give me birth control?"Eric was standing by the side. He guiltily looked at me and softly said, "Avie, it was last month. That one time I forgot to bring you milk…"I was dumbfounded. I hadn't thought one slip-up would actually get me pregnant. But this baby came at the worst possible time.Just then, hope lit up in Eric's eyes. He knelt by my bed and said, "Avie, this must be a sign for us to stay together. That's why we just got a baby. "I promise, I'll be a good father and husband from now on. Please, don't leave."Even Barbara, who always looked at me with disdain, finally softened up. She said, "Avery, I was wrong to blame you before. Now that you're pregnant with Eric's child, we can start over."Richard didn't speak, but there was anticipation in his eyes. I kne

Chapter 9

The driver drove very quickly and took me to a hospital owned by the Comptons.The procedure went smoothly, and when everything was over, all I felt was relief.Right after they wheeled me into the hospital room, Eric burst through the door.The bodyguard said, "Mr. Compton came rushing over like his life depended on it. We couldn't stop him."I didn't blame him. I merely looked at Eric and quietly said, "The baby's gone. You're too late."Eric's eyes immediately grew red-rimmed, and he collapsed onto the floor. "Avie, how could you be so heartless?" he asked.I almost laughed. In the seven years I'd spent with the Comptons, had he ever shown me any kindness?Just then, Richard stepped into the room. He glanced at Eric on the floor and said in disappointment, "Now you're regretting it? What were you doing all these years?"With that, he grabbed Eric and dragged him out."Quit being an eyesore here. Haven't you hurt Avery enough?"Even with the hospital room door closed, I cou

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP