My vivacious sister, who always had a smile for everyone, my only family, died because a group of monsters had gone too far when "having fun" with her.

The only light in my life had been heartlessly extinguished. And so, I'd transformed myself and gotten a job at the Somner residence as a lowly maid.

…

Gerald's hands roamed over my body after we were done. I could vaguely sense that he was satisfied with the pleasures I'd brought him.

He lit a cigarette and gave me a sidelong glance. "From now on, you'll be my personal assistant. I'll make your dream come true."

He thought I'd only seduced him because I wanted a more cushy job. I shook my head as tears welled in my eyes. "Being able to have your heart and mercy for a brief moment is already the luckiest thing that's happened to me, Mr. Lindt."

"How did your sister die?" he suddenly asked.

It took me aback. Then, I answered hoarsely, "Some monsters tormented her to death. They're rich and powerful, so they've escaped punishment to this day."

Gerald sighed. His gaze seemed to take on a genuine hint of pity as he looked at me. "I can't believe there are inhumane creatures like that in today's society. I'll think of a way to help you seek justice for your sister."

I leaned into his embrace tenderly, but my heart was stone-cold. I wonder how he would feel if he learned that his fiancée was the leader of the monsters I'd mentioned.

I couldn't help chuckling at that thought. It diminished the weak demeanor I portrayed, turning me into a rose in bloom. For a second, Gerald was dazzled.

I whispered sweet nothings to him, but my heart was filled with venom. I giggled and wrapped my arms around his neck, throwing a leg around his waist. Then, I said breathily, "We're all alone here, Mr. Lindt. How about we…"

Young men couldn't resist any temptation. Gerald pinned me to the couch and had his way with me over and over again.

…

I mopped the floor, my waist still sore from yesterday's activities. Then, Rachel tottered to me in her heels with another young woman who was dressed expensively. They shoved me into the bathroom and refused to let me leave.

I stared at the other woman for a while before laughing softly. Rachel scowled and snapped, "What are you laughing at?"

I was laughing at how these rich kids conspired to commit crimes. The arrogant woman with Rachel was Isla Sadler—she was one of the people who'd caused Lila's death.

She didn't bother with any formalities before gripping my neck and pinning me against the wall. Her exquisite nails dug into my flesh, immediately making it hard for me to breathe.

Rachel laughed derisively before scratching my face lightly with her long nails. "Why can't you face reality? You're nothing but a peasant who reeks of desperation and squalor. How dare you think about seducing my fiancé!"

She slapped me a few times without hesitation. My face immediately became swollen; she and Isla laughed their heads off at the sight.

Then, Rachel held her head high, looking almost innocent when she did that. Her gaze turned loving. "Gerry has doted on me since we were children; there's no way he'd get involved with a cheap wench like you."

I snorted to myself and shifted my body to reveal the hickey on my collarbone. Rachel kicked me in the abdomen with the pointy tip of her heel. I fell to the floor and curled up from the pain.

She pulled a fruit knife from somewhere and gestured at my face. Her grin turned evil. "You do look quite pretty, and there's something familiar about you. What if I were to ruin your face?"

"You're a genius, Rach," Isla said. "A vixen like her only deserves to be disfigured so that she'll live a life of mockery."

They laughed again before backing me into a corner. Their shadows loomed over me, and my pupils constricted when I saw Rachel's smug face hovering above mine.

The tip of the blade pierced my cheek repeatedly. Whenever I was about to pass out from the pain, Isla would pinch me with her nails to keep me awake.

Blood trickled onto the floor. Rachel and Isla sauntered off, leaving me to die in the bathroom. I forced myself to remain conscious as I treated my wound. Then, I stared at my pale reflection in the mirror.

A creepy smile slowly spread across my face when I saw the word "ugly" etched on my skin. I traced it gently, my touch almost loving.

I wanted to tell Rachel that she'd given me a new weapon to use against her. I hoped she wouldn't blame me for being cruel.

…

I became Gerald's lover and moved into an upscale apartment. He frowned when he saw the mask I'd worn the whole day. "Why are you wearing a mask when it's so hot outside?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I lowered my head. His patience ran out, and he grabbed me by the shoulder. I couldn't help gasping in pain; tears filled my eyes.

He stripped me and pursed his lips tightly when he saw the bruises all over my body. He knew exactly what had happened and said apologetically, "Rach was spoiled while growing up. You'll have to bear with it."

In Gerald's eyes, being his lover and suffering Rachel's wrath came hand-in-hand. I looked at him pitifully, which made him ruffle his hair irritably. His gaze turned cold as he looked at me. "Rachel and I have been engaged since we were young. If you can't accept that, we'll have to—"

I removed the mask, making him abruptly stop talking. A horrific wound marred my flawless face. He sucked in a breath at the sight. Then, his gaze went from shock to guilt and finally to calmness.

He didn't question the wound or get angry. Instead, he looked at me silently, seemingly saying, "Bear with it, Lucy."

I was just a lover, after all. Rachel was the fiancée his family had chosen for him.

Gerald contacted the best doctor available and instructed him to treat my face. That night, we were lying in bed with our arms around each other when his phone rang.

"Where have you been for the past few days, Gerry?" Rachel screeched on the other end of the line. "Are you with that peasant? How can you treat me like this?"

The rumors of us being together had ultimately reached her ears. Gerald frowned, looking like he had a headache. "Calm down, Rach. I'll spend the day with you tomorrow, okay?"

She wept uncontrollably. "When we were kids, you swore I was the only one you would love…"

She was a spoiled heiress—so spoiled that to this day, she still dreamed of having a happy-ever-after with her Prince Charming.

I smiled when I heard her furious screeches. Then, I put on a generous and gentle act. "You should go and be with Ms. Somner, Mr. Lindt. I'll be okay on my own.

I knew Gerald didn't care about me, but I still wanted to make it seem like he genuinely had feelings for me. My words grated on Rachel's nerves. She screamed, "This is only happening because of you, you vixen!"

Gerald's headache worsened. He wanted Rachel to be quiet, but I was the only one who was being docile and compliant.

Rachel cried, "I'll tell my uncles to stop investing in your company if you betray me, Gerry! You'd better think before you act!"

Gerald's expression darkened. Then, for the first time, he said something harsh to her. "Do you think I'll die without your family's support, Rachel?"

I couldn't help beaming in the darkness. Rachel had hurt Gerald's ego—to men, their egos meant more than their lives.

I'd spent several days with Gerald thus far and knew that underneath his gentle appearance, he was a domineering man. He couldn't stand being threatened or held hostage by anyone.

He hung up. Almost immediately, his phone rang again, but he rejected the call. This happened repeatedly until Rachel finally gave up. Gerald and I were left alone in the silence and darkness. We held each other in a tight embrace.

He traced the scar on my face, which was almost invisible now. "I'm sorry for neglecting you in the past, Lucy. I'll treat you well from now on."

I struck while the iron was hot and tried to hold back my tears as I asked, "You wanted to know how my sister died, right?"

I clutched his collar tightly and took in his heavy expression while revealing the festering wound in my heart. "My sister's name was Lila White. She was beaten to death by Rachel and the rest of her evil entourage while bound, so she couldn't retaliate.

"They gave her an internal hemorrhage and ruptured her skull with their violence! She died from the pain after suffering inhumane torment!"