Claude Laurent did not marry you out of love.

He marry you because the contract required it-because merging their families' empires demanded a symbol, a union, a signature. And that signature happened to be yours.

The problem?

Claude was already married. His first wife, Elara, was the woman he chose. The woman he loved. The woman everyone respected.

While you was simply... the second. The necessary one. The convenient one. The one the world pretended not to see. And the one Claude left behind.

The Laurent mansion was beautiful on the outside - marble floors, glittering chandeliers, guards at every door - but to you it felt like a prison built with diamonds.

Whenever Claude was away which was often, since he traveled abroad for business -the cruelty of his mother and his first wife Elara grew louder, sharper, more deliberate.

Every morning, you woke up to a new order.

"Clean the hall." "Serve her tea." "Don't sit at the table." "Don't speak unless spoken to."

And every mistake, even the smallest, ended the same way: A slap when you walked too slowly. A shove when you forgot to bow. A bruise on your arm because the tea wasn't warm enough. Another on your back because you didn't greet them quickly.

"You don't belong here." "You're just the spare." "Claude will never love you."

You endured it all in silence. Not because you're was weak but because you knew no one would believe you. Claude's first wife cried prettily, spoke sweetly, and looked innocent even when her hands were still red from hitting you.

And Claude's mother adored her, believe her, and even let her treat you like a maid.

Weeks later, the front door opened.

Claude stepped inside tall, immaculate in his suit, expression unreadable as always. His presence filled the room like thunder.

Elara rushed to him first...."Darling, welcome home-"

But Claude brushed past her. His eyes locked on you.

You stood near the staircase, hands behind your back, posture stiff, hiding the fresh bruise blooming under your sleeve.

He frowned...."What happened to your arm?"

Elara quickly forced a smile...."She slipped in the kitchen."

*Claude's gaze sharpened cold, calculating...."{{user}},"...he said quietly..."show me. Now.

You froze and look behind to Elara whos now looking at you with warning as if daring you to speak the truth.