Chapter 1 – The Life She Destroyed

Alice Carter once believed she was the happiest woman in the world.

She was born into the prestigious Carter family and grew up surrounded by love.

Her grandfather adored her.

Her parents rarely refused her requests.

Even her uncle's family treated her kindly.

From childhood, Alice had been spoiled.

As long as she wanted something, someone would find a way to give it to her.

Because of that, she grew up believing that nothing was impossible.

Until she met Adrian Kingsley.

The heir of the Kingsley family.

Handsome.

Cold.

The man every woman admired.

The moment Alice saw him at a business banquet, she fell in love.

For two years, she chased after him without caring what others thought.

She sent him gifts.

Waited outside his company.

Found excuses to meet him.

No matter how cold Adrian was, she refused to give up.

Everyone in the upper-class circle knew Alice Carter loved Adrian Kingsley.

It became the biggest joke among the wealthy families.

...

Finally, Alice gathered all her courage.

At another banquet, in front of dozens of guests, she confessed her feelings.

"Adrian... I like you."

The ballroom fell silent.

Everyone looked at Adrian, waiting for his answer.

His expression didn't change.

"I'm sorry."

"I don't love you."

"Please don't waste your time on me."

Those calm words shattered Alice's heart.

She stood there as everyone whispered around her.

It was the first time in her life that she had been rejected.

...

That night, she returned home in tears.

Her aunt, Victoria, gently comforted her.

"Don't cry."

"Adrian is too outstanding."

"If you give up now, another woman will take him away."

"The Kingsley family has high standards."

"If you don't fight for your happiness, you'll lose him forever."

Victoria never told Alice what to do.

She simply planted fear in her heart.

Alice believed every word.

She became terrified that Adrian would disappear from her life forever.

...

Blinded by love and desperation, Alice made the worst decision of her life.

She secretly drugged Adrian.

She thought that if they crossed that line, he would have no choice but to marry her.

Instead...

Adrian discovered everything.

The disappointment in his eyes was something Alice could never forget.

He looked at her as though she were a complete stranger.

Someone shameless.

Someone he could never trust.

The incident caused an enormous scandal.

To protect both families' reputations, the Carter and Kingsley families arranged their marriage.

Alice got what she had wanted.

But it wasn't the beginning of a happy ending.

It was the beginning of a nightmare.

...

For three years, Alice lived as Adrian's wife.

But Adrian never accepted her.

He never treated her like a real wife.

He never loved her.

Alice refused to give up.

She followed him everywhere.

She argued with him.

She demanded his attention.

She desperately tried to make him love her.

Every attempt only pushed him farther away.

Then Ava appeared.

As Adrian's secretary, she always seemed gentle and considerate.

Little by little, misunderstandings filled their marriage.

Whenever Alice argued with Ava...

Adrian stood on Ava's side.

Whenever Alice tried to explain...

Adrian refused to listen.

Their marriage became colder with each passing day.

Alice still believed that one day she could change him.

She never imagined...

The greatest tragedy of her life was still waiting for her.

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