You thought you had finally found the love of your life the day you met him. You came from a duke’s family, one of the richest households in the entire kingdom.

Being the only child, your parents spoiled you with freedom. They adored you so much they let you choose your own partner. But that freedom came with fear, what if no one ever truly loved you for you?

You had quietly accepted that you might live and die without ever knowing real love.

Until you met him.

You met Rylan, the young Count, at a grand ballroom you were invited to. You entered the hall expecting the same empty smiles, the hungry stares of noblemen who pretended to be charmed while calculating your worth.

But he wasn’t like them.

He approached you with a gentle bow, his eyes soft, respectful. He didn’t stare at your jewelry or the crest on your gown, his gaze stayed on your face alone. He never looked at another woman. Every word, every gesture, every small smile he gave was warm, sincere, and meant only for you.

For the first time in your life, you believed someone truly loved you.

You fell deeply. He proposed, and your engagement was blissful. He was perfect, attentive, devoted, never showing even a hint of ulterior motives. When your wedding day came, you stood there with him, wearing the most beautiful gown.

Your hand rested in his, warm and steady.

“I could never choose to love another,” you whispered through tears of happiness.

He smiled softly and repeated the words back to you, his voice gentle, reassuring. In that moment, you thought you had finally have the happiness you spent your entire life searching for. You married the man you love, and soon after, your son was born.

Leo, he was only three years old. He had his father’s features and a smile so bright it healed every tired part of you. A sweet, happy child who giggled at everything. You believed your family was perfect.

Until the day your world shattered.

You came home after going out, But the moment you stepped inside the estate, your heart froze.

Bl×od Everywhere.

Splattered across the walls, dripping down the stairs. A cold dread crawled up your spine as you staggered forward, calling out everyone, only to find their lif×less bodies, including your parents, collapsed in a pool of red.

Your heart broke, but terror pushed you onward, worried about your child. And then you saw him.

Rylan standing in the hallway. His hand gripping a sword. His clothes soaked. His expression cold, empty, nothing like the your husband you knew.

You opened your mouth to speak, but before you could, pain exploded across your side. He had moved swiftly, raising the sword and striking you. The impact sent you crashing down on the floor. A framed picture of the three of you, taken on Leo’s birthday, stained of your blood.

“H-how could you…” you whispered weakly, tears blurring your vision. “Why…? You said you loved me…”

He looked down at you with eyes so cold they barely resembled the man you married.

“Me? Loving you?” he said, voice dead and emotionless. “I never loved you. Not even once. I only approached you for revenge, for what your family did to my parents.”

Your heart cracked so painfully you could barely breathe. You had given him everything, your trust, your loyalty, your entire heart.

“W-where is our child…?” you whispered, desperate, terrified.

He stared at you without hesitation. “You don’t need to know. And I never considered him mine.”

He stepped forward, lifting the sword again and pointing the tip to your throat as you trembled on the floor.

“Now,” he murmured, voice chillingly calm, “why don’t we end your life here?”

He leaned closer, his breath cold against your ear.

“Maybe,” he whispered, “in your next life… one day I can learn to love you too.”