Chapter 1After Giving Me Away In Marriage, My Brother Regretted It

The year my adoptive parents passed away, my brother noticed my feelings and responded with just two words: "Disgusting."

Soon after, his company was on the verge of bankruptcy, and he arranged for me to marry into the Sinclair family, giving me away to Rhett Sinclair, the simpleton of their family.

Three years later, my brother’s business flourished, and he no longer needed the Sinclairs. With a wave of his hand, he had the entire Sinclair family thrown in prison.

Standing before me, he extended his hand and said, "Come home with me."

I simply shook my head and replied, "You must be joking, Mr. Greer. My husband’s name is Sinclair. The Sinclairs are my family now."

My fingers gently traced the photo tucked in my wallet, as if the person in the picture was still by my side, as though he had never left. Tears slowly slid down my cheeks, and I quickly put the wallet away. I couldn’t let him see me cry—he would’ve been heartbroken.

A voice, cutting through the moment, interrupted my thoughts.

“Ms. Greer, you’ve suffered for three long years in the Sinclair household. Now that things are finally turning around, Mr. Greer is waiting for you. Please, come with me.”

I wiped away the remnants of my tears and glanced at Harlan Greer’s assistant, who stood before me. I shook my head calmly.

“I’m not going anywhere. I want to stay here.”

This was the third time his assistant had tried to convince me, and once again, I refused. He was growing desperate, knowing he had to report back without success.

“There’s not a soul left here. Staying like this isn’t doing you any good.”

That’s right—no one was here anymore.

Just last month, Rhett was here, his arms wrapped around my waist, begging me to feed him oranges. The Sinclairs were still here, laughing together in the garden like a scene out of a perfect family picture.

The person in the photo was my husband, Rhett Sinclair.

When the District Attorney’s Office arrived to arrest the entire Sinclair family, Rhett was terrified. In a panic, I shoved him into hiding, hoping to save him from their grasp.

After the dust settled, he vanished without a trace. I didn’t know where he was, whether he was eating well or sleeping soundly. All I had left was this photo, the only thing that carried my love and worry for him.

“I can’t leave. I have to stay and wait for Rhett. If I leave, how will he ever find me?” I turned and met the assistant’s eyes.

“Tell Harlan Greer not to send anyone else to fetch me.”

The assistant sighed deeply and dialed Harlan’s number. I knew Harlan was always busy—either negotiating deals or rubbing elbows at social events across the country.

It took nearly the entire night before he finally answered the call. The assistant switched to speaker so I could hear.

Harlan’s voice was hard to read, but I could tell he wasn’t in the best mood. “What is this? Have you stayed away so long that you’ve forgotten your own home?”

I didn’t respond, instead turning my gaze to the night outside the window. Silence said more than words ever could.

After a long pause, he spoke again, issuing a cold order.

“If she wants to stay there, let her stay. She can rot there for all I care.”

The moment he finished speaking, the call ended with a sharp beep. He hadn’t even bothered to say anything more to me.

I figured he was busy, as always. Busy putting other companies out of business, sending those who crossed him to jail. Rhett was just one more name on that list.

Everyone said the Sinclair family deserved their punishment. A lifetime in prison was too kind for the crimes they supposedly committed.

But I knew better—it wasn’t the Sinclairs who had committed the crimes.

I knew Harlan’s methods all too well. When he needed you, he’d throw away his pride. When he was done, he’d cast you aside without a second thought.

The night wind chilled my skin, but I couldn’t rest easy knowing Rhett was out there somewhere, alone and lost. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat. I spent the entire day like a fool, clutching that photo and holding on to this house.

I didn’t even know when I finally fell asleep.

“Get up! Stop pretending to be dead!”