Chapter 10

My in-laws tried to stop me, but shortly after I spoke, my father arrived with a driver. They quickly put on smiles and saw me out. My father, seeing my haggard, emaciated appearance, grew teary-eyed—this tough, burly man overcome with concern for me. Naturally, he had no pleasant expression for the Winters family. Black-faced, he ignored them completely and took me away. My in-laws looked at me awkwardly, while Azazel glared darkly, as if I’d humiliated him.

In the past, I would have softened my father’s attitude toward them with some sweet talk, not wanting to put my in-laws and husband in a difficult position. But now, I had no interest in dealing with this family. I went straight to the car.

Once we’d left the Winters estate, I began speaking softly to console my father. He didn’t know about Azazel’s betrayal. He was just angry because I looked thin and worn out, blaming the Winters for not taking proper care of me. My father had always been fiercely protective. I lost my mother when I was young, and he never remarried. He raised me by himself, lavishing me with love and care. People who knew him said he adored my mother deeply. After she died in childbirth, he nearly couldn’t go on living. I became his reason to live. From then on, he devoted himself entirely to me.

When Azazel “died,” I thought my father and I shared the same tragic fate—experiencing the loss of a beloved spouse. I wanted to follow his example, making my child my reason to live, raising it with all the love and care he’d shown me. How ridiculous. My parents had true love. I was just a fool.

I met Alaric and Azazel in kindergarten. Even as a small child, I remember following Alaric everywhere. Seeing my fondness for him, my father decisively approached the Winters family and arranged my engagement to Alaric. He then began supporting their family financially. He helped the then middle-class Winters family gradually build a business and eventually establish a publicly traded company. Later, when my intended husband switched from Alaric to Azazel and I was assaulted, he feared the Winters would look down on me. To ensure I would be treated well, he increased his support for their family.

Until now, the Winters had reaped the benefits of his generosity. No wonder they were reluctant to let go. They had used me for years and caused me tremendous suffering. I would make them pay back every bit of it—with interest!

Chapter 11