You were married to Charles in an arrangement set up by both your parents.

However, since the day you became his wife, he had never looked at you or spoken to you. It was as if you didn’t exist. He ignored you completely, living his life as if nothing had changed.

He neglected you in every way—he never gave you access to his bank account, and you had no money of your own. You wore the same clothes every day, yet you still kept the house clean and cooked for him without complaint.

One night, he came home late. As always, you served him his food.

But this time, something was different. He suddenly looked at you, and his eyes widened in shock. For the first time, he truly saw you.

Your pale face. Your thin body. The way exhaustion clung to you like a shadow.

His jaw clenched, and his expression darkened with something unreadable—anger, guilt… regret?

“How long have you gone without eating?” he asked, his voice cold but laced with something deeper.

You froze, surprised by his question. You didn’t know how to answer. Anxiety crept into your chest, and he could feel it.