In his bid for perpetual life, the first Don of the Bryant family annihilates the witch clan and violently takes possession of their most sacred relic.

In the moments before her death, the head of the witch clan places a curse on every descendant of the Bryant family. Every descendant will suffer a sudden mutation at the age of 23, where their bodies would be covered in thick, black hair, and fangs would sprout from their mouths, turning them into monsters.

They can only lift the curse if they marry a descendant of the witches.

Ella Crawford—my sister—and I are the last remaining descendants of the witch clan in the human realm.

In my past life, Oliver's lottery selection fell on the attractive Ella. I was aware that Ella lacked the power to lift the curse, so I secretly swapped the lots, and Oliver ended up married to me.

In the end, during our wedding night, Ella set herself alight, proclaiming that she had lost her eternal love and didn't want to face life without him.

As a result, Mom and Dad drove me out. Oliver, however, took me in and showered me with affection.

It wasn't long before I conceived his child, and he successfully survived his 23rd birthday.

Yet, barely a day later, Oliver pushed me into the fire pit.

I pleaded with tears streaming down my face, "I freed you from the curse and am currently carrying your baby, Oliver, so please don't treat me like this!"

Oliver merely responded with a malicious grin as he tossed the torch aside. "If it weren't for your interference, Ella would have lifted the curse for me! I would have been able to spend the rest of my life with her, Cynthia!"

In the end, I was completely consumed by the flames.

I suddenly open my eyes and find myself returning to the day Oliver chooses his bride by lot. I immediately snap the tampered lot, as I'm eager to find out how Ella will save Oliver without any witch powers in this life.

Cynthia's Point-of-View

It was then that the underboss announced, "And the one who will take on the role of the next Madre is Ella Crawford!"

Having heard that, Oliver Bryant cast a triumphant sidelong glance my way.

I met his gaze with an indifferent smile, snapping the tampered lot I had prepared earlier behind my back. I managed to appear even more relaxed and joyful than he was.

It was then that one of the members muttered under their breath, "How could it be Ms. Ella? Didn't Madre prefer Ms. Cynthia, whose witch power is leaps and bounds ahead of Ms. Ella's?"

Then, someone else chimed in, asking, "Didn't someone spot Oliver and Ella together late at night in the garden just the other day, wrapped up in each other's embrace? That means the selection was certainly settled in advance."

"Why go through the trouble of drawing lots, then?"

In that moment, discussions broke out one after another.

Oliver, who was seemingly oblivious, marched eagerly toward Ella. He then eagerly lowered his head and kissed the back of Ella's hand. His voice was brimming with unrestrained joy as he declared, "I can finally marry you, Ella!"

It was only then that I realized that Oliver, too, had been reborn. That explained why an attendant had been constantly shadowing me before the lots were drawn.

In my past life, Oliver had drawn Ella's name. I intervened and secretly replaced the lot, though, knowing that Ella was incapable of lifting the curse. I was always bound to be the one chosen in any draw under this condition.

Oliver had deliberately assigned someone to watch over me this time. It was a pointless effort since I had decided not to interfere with the draw from the very beginning.

I could still recall the scorching flames from my past life. I clenched my fists to stop my body from trembling. I had been reborn, so I resolved never to humble myself before that miserable wretch again.

Oliver was leading Ella by the hand. He stopped directly in front of me, and his tone was dripping with mockery. "You were the one to put forward the draw for the Madre selection, Cynthia. You're not planning to spout that ridiculous claim that 'only you can lift my curse,' right?"

His eyes were brimming with malice. He then leaned in close and whispered, "I suggest you be smart about this and just watch me marry Ella without a fuss, Cynthia. Otherwise, I'll see to it that you meet a terrible end without a trace or a proper burial!"

Oliver made no conscious effort to keep his voice down.

Upon hearing Oliver's proclamation, Madre immediately scowled. She rushed forward and clutched Oliver's arm, saying, "That's incredibly disrespectful, Oliver! Cynthia wields the strongest witch power here! Your marriage to her is the only way to guarantee everything goes off without a hitch!"

In my past life, Madre also staunchly protected me in the same way. She was also the one who proposed exchanging the lots, for her witch bloodline had revealed that I alone could free Oliver from the curse.

Oliver yanked his arm out of Madre's grasp. "Mamma! Ella is of witch descent as well! She should be able to lift the curse as well since she has witch blood in her! It doesn't matter if it's not Cynthia, Mamma!"

He pivoted in his argument. He scanned the faces present and raised his voice sharply. "It's clear that everyone here saw the result of the draw! We, the Bryant family, have always been true to our words! That's why you've all chosen to stand with us!"

Having said that, he deliberately raised his gaze toward Don Bryant, who occupied the seat of honor.

Ella seized the moment. Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears as she said, "In our witch lineage, the twin who is born first carries the purest witch blood. I'm capable of saving Oliver, too, Don Bryant, and Madre."

Mom and Dad quickly chimed in with their approval, saying, "That's right, Don Bryant! Ella has always been blessed with incredible luck! She's the perfect choice for the next Madre!"

I felt a sudden, agonizing stab in my chest at that moment. Mom and Dad had always been biased toward Ella—their beautiful darling—while I had always been neglected by them.

I was the one who had discovered Ella's secret and told Mom about it, only for her to severely scold me and accuse me of being malicious at such a young age. Dad, on the other hand, pinned all his hopes on Ella's witch lineage, dreaming of the day she'd become the next Madre and live in splendor.

They had never treated me like their daughter, and now, I did not see them as my parents any longer.

I maintained a smile and began to applaud, saying, "It's clear that the heir of the Bryant family never goes back on his promise. You can rest assured that Ella's witch bloodline is just as capable of lifting the curse, Oliver."

It was true that Ella had the purest witch blood—but as her twin, I was able to perceive her secret. It was not a power that would cure him but a horrifying force that was capable of thrusting Oliver into ruin.

In my past life, Ella had taken her own life because she feared that her secret would be revealed. I, however, intended to keep this secret to myself in this life and silently observe Oliver's downfall.

It was only after a brief, tense silence that Don Bryant finally stated in a grave tone, "It's settled, then. You are to return and make arrangements for your marriage to Ella, Oliver."

Oliver couldn't help but smile triumphantly as he said, "I suggest you stop entertaining any unrealistic fantasies about me, Cynthia. Otherwise—"

He was interrupted by an elegant, deep voice. The person declared, "I'll marry Cynthia since you've settled on Ella!"

That man's profound blue eyes held a hint of languor. His lips curled into a gentle smile. He was none other than Don Bryant's eldest son—William Bryant.

William continued, "It'll be my 23rd birthday in just a week. I'm sure that the honorable and magnanimous Oliver won't mind yielding the chance to lift the curse to me since there is more than one qualified person at the moment."

Don Bryant seemed to suddenly recall William's existence and glanced over at him. He had been the designated heir, yet after his mother perished saving Don Bryant, he acquired a stepmother and was consequently relegated to the fringes. He was almost entirely forgotten.

Mom and Dad immediately drew back nervously, saying, "That wouldn't be appropriate, Don Bryant. Cynthia's in love with—"

"I agree to William's proposal!" I said quickly, cutting in before they could get another word in.

Dad exchanged a quick look with Mom, who immediately pulled me to the side, saying, "You can't marry that powerless good-for-nothing even if you can't have Oliver! He'll be turning 23 years old soon, and if the curse isn't lifted before that, Ella will be implicated because of you, Cynthia!"

I looked at her coldly and said, "If you're so worried about being dragged down by me, you should just cut ties with me completely. I'm of no value to you anymore anyway."

I then walked back to the center of the main hall and smiled faintly at William. He looked stunned for a moment before he turned his face away. However, the flush rising along his neck couldn't be hidden.

Don Bryant got up from his seat and declared, "Cynthia has agreed to it as well, so she is now betrothed to you, William. You two, come along with me."

In the end, the date for the wedding had been settled.

I had just returned home when the door was suddenly thrown open. Oliver then walked in with his arm around Ella and a wedding invitation in his hand. "Your sister and I are going to have the most extravagant wedding, Cynthia. You'd better arrive on time for it."

I lowered my gaze and noticed that the date on the wedding invitation matched the one Don Bryant had fixed for William's and my wedding. I then stated flatly, "I won't be attending it since I'll be getting married on that day, too."

Oliver instantly flew into a rage. "What's with all the pretenses, Cynthia? You clearly accepted William's hand in marriage just to provoke me! How could a man of his standing possibly love you? You're just the means to ending the curse!

"You just want my attention, right? You see, because you adore me so fiercely, Ella, being the generous soul she is, will permit you to be my mistress, Cynthia. You are required to treat her with the utmost respect and wait on us diligently, though. Otherwise, you won't even merit the role of a side-piece."

Ella feigned a concerned expression, saying, "You're my sister, Cynthia. I can't bear to see you be this miserable, so come join me in attending to Oliver. It's more preferable to be married to a man who does not genuinely care for you, Cynthia."

I, however, still noticed her fists tightening beneath the drape of her wide sleeves.

I sneered contemptuously before the image of William's face involuntarily flashed across my mind. I recalled him kneeling on one knee and saying, "I know this proposal is sudden, and I came unprepared, but give me three days, and I will ensure that you have the most gorgeous diamond ring the world has ever seen."

I was experiencing, for the very first time, the sensation of being utterly treasured. I looked into his profound eyes then, recalling my past life, where he refused to marry Ella and instead, committed suicide by shooting himself on the night before he turned 23 years old. I deeply wished that I had been the one to save him back then.

I looked at him and stated deliberately, "I don't need your concern, future brother-in-law. I have no affection for you after all! I'm going to marry William, no matter what!"

I paid no heed to either of them after saying that and turned to leave.

It was then that Ella rushed forward with a feigned concerned expression and grabbed my hand. "I know I'm a thorn in your side, but you must realize that Oliver's love is not something that can be seized by force, Cynthia!"

I hadn't even had the chance to get a word in when Ella suddenly stumbled backward, screeching hysterically. "I shouldn't have usurped your position as Madre, Cynthia! I'll head to the Bryant family right now to clarify everything, so please stop attacking me with your witch powers!"

Ella fell to the ground, and Oliver quickly gathered her into his embrace.

Mom and Dad heard the commotion and bolted over. Their faces were full of distress. "Oh, my goodness! It must be Cynthia who hurt you again, Ella!"

I maintained a neutral expression. I couldn't even count how many times this routine had occurred since childhood. In every instance, Mom and Dad would fiercely protect Ella and shift the entirety of the blame onto me.

It was then that a hard, stinging blow struck me across the face. I was flung forcefully to the floor, and my ears were ringing.

"Ella is destined to be the next Madre, Cynthia! How could you, with your meager standing, lay a hand on her?" Oliver's eyes were practically brimming with malice.

Mom snapped her head toward me, and her eyes were blazing with hatred. "How utterly wicked of you, Cynthia! You're no longer our daughter or a member of this family from now on!"

I spat out a mouthful of blood and said with a sneer, "I'd like that! I hope that Mr. Bryant can serve as a witness to this, as I'm equally eager to be rid of any connection to you all!"

I was about to stand up and leave after saying that, but Ella suddenly burst into tears, saying, "Please don't be like this, everyone! Oliver only reacted in such a manner because he simply despises your abusive nature toward those weaker than you, Cynthia.

"He was only trying to straighten out your attitude, so please don't hold it against him. I'll help you to your feet, Cynthia."

Having said that, Ella put on a brief, false struggle, as if trying to lift me, but immediately stumbled and collapsed back to the floor.

Upon seeing this, Oliver savagely kicked me right in the chest, causing me to double over and struggle for breath. "You wretched bitch! Do you honestly believe you can simply walk away after crossing the future Don? Lock her away right now!

"I hereby forbid anyone from delivering so much as a mouthful of food or a drop of water to her from this moment on!"

It wasn't long before crude wooden planks were violently hammered into the door frame of the attic. They disregarded my struggles entirely and confined me there.

…

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed. Ella and Oliver had completed all the necessary arrangements for their wedding. I, on the other hand, had only just been freed. I felt utterly depleted and had made no preparations whatsoever.

I had no choice but to force myself to carry on with the wedding preparations because I didn't want to risk incurring Don Bryant's displeasure.

With a massive diamond ring on her finger, Ella looked at my wretched state with a smug expression. "Have you not made any preparations, Cynthia? You ought to know that this is a union with the Bryant family—one wrong move and it could cost you your life."

She then gestured toward the jewelry box on the table. Her voice dripped with condescension when she said, "You don't even have a diamond ring for your wedding. How pathetic! I'll graciously allow you to view these that weren't good enough for me. You've probably never had the luxury of wearing a diamond ring in your life, right?"

I offered a derisive snort, but before I could voice my refusal, the doorbell suddenly rang.

It was then that a formally dressed butler presented a refined jewelry box with both hands, explaining that it was a gift from William. It was delivered precisely as he promised. In the jewelry box, there was a huge pink diamond ring; its flawless cut gave it a luxurious beauty that demanded attention.

Ella's eyes immediately gleamed. She grabbed the jewelry box, took the diamond ring, and slipped it right on her own finger. "It's a wedding ring that's worthy of someone like me!"

I yelled, "It's mine! Give it back to me!"

Mom immediately stepped in front, shielding Ella. "Why would anyone present such a pricey ring to you, Cynthia? I just remembered that Madre had mentioned that she wanted to compensate you.

"Is it possible that this ring is from her? It's not like anyone is going to marry you, so you should just hand it over to Ella as her wedding gift."

"I refuse!" I yelled, thinking that William had gone out of his way to find and present this to me. I wouldn't allow anyone to take it from me.

Mom, however, ruthlessly pushed me, sending me sprawling to the floor.

I had gone three days without a drop of water, so I instantly felt my vision going hazy.

I hadn't even had the chance to recover when Mom grabbed my hair, dragged me, and tossed me back into the dark attic, yelling, "You're far too unruly, Cynthia! It seems like you didn't learn your lesson the last time!"

I accidentally banged my head on a container before gradually losing consciousness.