Chapter 2

Since my father's death and my mother's remarriage, Lucien was the closest person to me.

The day he took over the company, I was genuinely happy for him; he had finally achieved his dream position.

That night, drunk, he stormed into my room and pinned me down as though he'd been suppressing it for a long time.

In his intoxicated state, he called out "Lucy"...

That was my mother's name.

My heart felt like it turned to stone.

It turned out that all his affection for me was because he saw me as a stand-in for my mother.

He kept me in his mansion, sharing meals and living arrangements, lavishing me with care and attention.

But I refused to be a substitute, sealing my heart and rejecting his touch.

I wouldn't even give him a friendly face.

He's a business tycoon, extraordinarily handsome, with countless women flocking to him, yet he disregarded them all.

Except for the moments when he would humble himself in front of me, pleading for affection.

But I couldn't do it.

My pride and dignity wouldn't allow me to be someone else's shadow, not even for my mother.

Lucien grew frustrated with my coldness.

"You've always listened to me since you were little. Why are you so stubborn about this..."

He thought I was just being willful and that if we had a child, I would slowly warm up to him. So, he wouldn't let go of me except during my inconvenient days.

And I would always douse his enthusiasm with cold water.

"Over and over the same, aren't you tired of it, Uncle?"

Then, seeing the hurt and defeat in his eyes, I would quickly get up, eager to wash away his traces.

Lucien was enraged, yanking the towel from my hands and gripping my waist, biting my ear in frustration.

"Do you really hate me this much? I insist you stay by my side! I want us to have lots of children!"

I wanted to escape the mansion, but he threatened my mother's family.

"Nora, even if you hate me, you can only stay by my side!"

"Don't get any ideas. Think about your relatives. I have ways to make their lives worse than death!"

I didn't dare gamble with my relatives' lives. I couldn't afford to lose.

I had to accept my fate.

I liked peace and quiet, so I specifically asked Lucien to place me in the most secluded corner of the mansion and forbade anyone from entering.

To the outside world, he claimed Miss Nora was abroad for relaxation.

But in secret, he forced me to be with him every night.

One day, Lucien went on a business trip.

I was newly pregnant, often sleepy, and the weather was perfect. I lay in the yard's rocking chair for a nap.

Then, a commotion came from outside the yard.