A Castle Built on Lies

When Eric heard what Monica said, he stood up.

Before walking away, he coldly said, "Go reflect on your mistakes in the prayer room. You can come out when you realize what you did wrong!"

He then had someone throw me into the dark room—the place I was always punished in.

Right on the other side of the wall was Eric's bedroom.

Inside, Monica's playful voice rang out, "Eric, I'm not hurt. Why were you so harsh toward Avery?"

"Scaring you was her biggest mistake! Besides, she's rough and tough. Locking her up won't hurt her," Eric replied.

Then, the faint rustling of clothes followed.

Monica's voice was soft and sweet as she said, "Eric, you're a married man. What we're doing isn't right."

Eric's tone was full of affection as he replied, "You don't know how cheap she smells. I feel disgusted just touching her. You've been the only one I've loved all these years.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure it doesn't hurt…"

Their moans and whispers slipped through the crack in the door, grating on my ears.

I stared at the cross in the prayer room, wondering what I had done wrong to deserve this kind of suffering.

…

Eric had completely forgotten about my existence.

I was locked in the dark room for three days, and he'd spent the whole time tangled up with Monica.

Meanwhile, the shards of porcelain were still stuck in my wounds, and no one had treated them. It was the height of summer too, and I could already smell the stench of rot.

By the time Eric finally remembered that I was still around, I was exhausted and starving. I had even fainted several times before.

When the door opened, a housekeeper dumped a bucket of cold water over me.

"What's that smell? It stinks!"

A few of them dragged me out with looks of pure disgust.

"Did you think marrying Mr. Compton means you've moved up in the world? Only a real heiress like Ms. Lynch deserves a man like him," one of the housekeepers said.

They shoved me roughly into the fountain and blasted me with water from spray nozzles.

Once they cleaned me up, they brought me straight to Eric.

Eric glanced at me and said in surprise, "You really are tough! Three days locked up and you're still standing.

"Grandpa wants me to bring you to the family banquet. Clean yourself up and don't embarrass me."

Then, he tossed me a gown and frowned. "Grandpa said he has an important announcement. What's so serious that he has to make a whole scene out of it?"

I knew exactly what it was—Richard was going to end the marriage and let me go.

When he saw the bit of hope on my face, Eric warned, "Don't even think about complaining to Grandpa. If Monica feels wronged, you'll pay for it tenfold."

Then, just as I was about to get in the car that night, Monica rolled down the passenger-side window and apologetically smiled.

"Avery, I have car sickness. Do you mind if I take the front seat?"

I ignored her provocation and quietly opened the back door.

Eric frowned and glared at me before turning to her. "You're too kind for your own good, always worrying about others. My passenger seat is meant for you. No one else gets to sit there."

…

At the banquet, I sat alone in a corner. All the while, I watched Monica cling to Eric as they mingled with the crowd.

Meanwhile, the guests threw mocking glances my way. Still, I couldn't care less. After all, I had been a joke to everyone for seven years. All I cared about now was that Richard would finally let me leave.

Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared in my line of sight. I tensed up instantly.

"Avery, how dare you show up to the family banquet?"