My Brother Slaughtered His Mom, But He Wed Me?

At Ridgeview Women's Prison. A woman lay sprawled on the grimy, chaotic floor, her breath barely perceptible, yet her eyes were wide open, staring unblinkingly at the ceiling. Anna hadn't eaten in three days. If this continued, she would starve to death. Two years ago, James had personally thrown her into this place, and every day since, she had been fighting to stay alive. The Carter family stood at the pinnacle of Ridgeview's elite, and James was the heir. Under his leadership, Carter Corporation had flourished, making him the most powerful man in Ridgeview. Anna could still vividly remember James gripping her throat, his eyes filled with a hatred so intense it seemed to pierce through her. "You'll spend your life under my torment. The debt your brother owes, I'll collect it from you, bit by bit." The more miserable Anna's life became, the more satisfaction James seemed to derive from it. She could still picture his teeth-gritted fury. Two years ago, James's mother was in a car accident, and after an investigation, Anna's brother was identified as the driver at fault. James's mother was gravely injured and died before she could reach the hospital. She was the only person James truly cared about in the Carter family, and her death hit him hard, deepening his hatred. Anna's brother, Evan Mitchell, was also severely injured in the accident. He was taken to the hospital but hadn't yet passed the critical stage when James had him sent to Ridgeview's largest prison. Upon hearing the news of her son causing a fatal accident and being imprisoned, Anna's mother was so distraught that she suffered a stroke, leaving her in a vegetative state despite all efforts. The Mitchell family consisted of just three people: a mother in a vegetative state, a brother in prison, leaving Anna to bear the brunt of the punishment. That day marked the beginning of Anna's nightmare. She couldn't believe her usually cautious and careful brother would hit someone with a car, but no one listened to her explanations. James ordered her to be thrown directly into Ridgeview Women's Prison. In the women's prison, while others faced hard labor, Anna faced endless humiliation. "Anna Mitchell, I want you to wish you were never born!" That phrase echoed in her mind countless times, and she often wished for death. But thinking of her imprisoned brother and her gravely ill mother, Anna could only choose to live on in humiliation. Only by living could there be hope. ***** Click! The sound of a lock turning interrupted Anna's thoughts. "Anna, someone bailed you out. Congrats, you've got a day of freedom." It was the officer, the one specifically assigned to Anna. The officer ensured Anna couldn't live peacefully. Anna froze, quickly wiping away the tears from her eyes. "Who... who bailed me out?" "Why all the chatter? Move it!" The officer barked, grabbing Anna by the hair and dragging her outside the prison. Along the way, fellow inmates and officers cast strange looks at Anna. She couldn't care less, even as her scalp burned with pain and the sunlight made her eyes water. Stepping out of those prison gates was a moment of immense value for Anna. Outside the gate stood a stranger, a woman in sunglasses dressed in luxury, leaning against a car. Beside her were two men in suits standing rigidly. "Get in the car, Anna!" Lauren's face was full of disdain, her lips curled downward in extreme impatience. "Who are you..." Anna asked, feeling both apprehensive and confused. "If you want out of here, you'd better listen to me, got it?" Lauren's eyes were fierce, her words dripping with contempt. "I don't even know who you are. Why should I trust you? How do I know you have the ability?" Anna's brow furrowed, her tone firm and skeptical of the stranger's words. "Hmph! What an ignorant fool. If I can get you out, I can certainly get you out for good." Lauren lifted her chin with arrogance. "Alright, spill it. What's the catch?" Anna's voice wavered slightly, a glimmer of hope sparked inside her. If she could really get out... she could take care of her mother. "You need to spend a night with a man, make him happy. That should be a piece of cake for you, huh?" Lauren's face was full of scorn, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "No way! I'm not doing that. Get someone else." Anna's refusal was immediate and resolute, her eyes filled with determination as she turned to leave. Anna couldn't bring herself to do it, not even for freedom. "Hah!" Lauren sneered, her eyes brimming with disdain. "Don't refuse so fast. I heard your mom doesn't have much time left. She might just die on that hospital bed, with no one to claim her body." "You know my mother? What have you done to her?" Anna demanded, her voice sharp with anger and worry. "Josh, show her the photos," Lauren coldly gestured to the man in black beside her. The bodyguard swiftly pulled out a few photos, slapping them down with a sharp smack in front of Anna. In the photos, a woman lay in a hospital bed, frail and thin, with an oxygen tube attached to her. Anna recognized her mother immediately, tears streaming down uncontrollably. "What happened to my mom? What did you do to her? I've never wronged you," Anna's tear-streaked face was a portrait of pain and fury. She had never met this woman before, nor understood why she was doing this. "Shut up! Stop crying. The doctor said if she doesn't get treatment soon, you might as well prepare for her funeral," Lauren glanced at her perfectly manicured nails, her eyes dripping with contempt. "So, how about it? Spend a night with a man, and I'll get someone to save your mom. It's quite the bargain," Lauren's words were like daggers, stabbing into Anna's heart. Seeing Anna's silence, Lauren's disdain only grew. "Fine! I'll do it, but you better keep your word. Afterward, I want to see my mom's treatment report and photos," Anna gritted her teeth, her voice trembling slightly. Anna was ushered into a car, the scenery outside the window blurring past, but her heart felt heavy, as if shrouded in a fog with no light in sight. If she could save her mother, what wouldn't she give up? After the incident, none of those so-called relatives had helped her. Now, Anna had to seize this chance to get out. "Besides me, no one else can help you now! Relax, I always keep my promises," Lauren glanced at the dazed Anna, a sense of vindictive satisfaction rising within her. "Change into these clothes and clean up. You look like a mess," Lauren sneered, tossing the clothes at Anna, the bundle hitting her face heavily. Anna caught them in a fluster. She had no choice but to comply; Anna knew she had no room to negotiate now. Clenching her fists tightly, her knuckles turned white from the pressure. Her heart was full of anger and reluctance, unwilling to accept being treated as a bargaining chip, but her mother was in their hands... Anna had no choice but to give in. After changing, Anna was taken to the designated floor. As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, the bodyguard halted. "Go on your own, it's the room at the end of the hallway!" Anna steeled herself and walked forward, her heart pounding with anxiety. Only when she had walked a distance did the bodyguard leave. The hallway was long, bathed in shadows, with only dim lights lining the path. As she neared the end, a tall, thin man in a suit suddenly appeared, looking quite anxious. "What took you so long? The boss has been waiting." With that, he grabbed Anna's arm, causing her to stumble and nearly fall. As they reached the door, Anna barely had time to steel herself before the man pushed open the half-closed door and shoved her inside. The room was pitch black, only a tall figure could be vaguely seen, his face obscured in shadow. Anna staggered, barely catching herself before the man pinned her against the door. His fiery presence pressed close, and his powerful hands left her utterly immobile. His deep voice rumbled softly in her ear, "Don't be afraid..." Without another word, he scooped her up effortlessly and laid her onto the bed. Before Anna could process the whirlwind of events, his imposing figure overshadowed her. She couldn't discern his features, only the sensation of her clothes being peeled away, piece by piece. Anna trembled, her dignity unraveling thread by thread. Tears welled up and spilled over her cheeks. She longed to resist, to escape, but fear and the harsh reality of her predicament shackled her. Sensing her palpable fear and tension, the man tenderly brushed her hair, kissed her tears away, and vowed in a hushed tone, "Fear not, I will shield you. I will be accountable for you." "Mmph..." As Anna attempted to voice her thoughts, her lips were sealed by his. In her dazed state, she caught a familiar scent, reminiscent of James, and even the voice bore an uncanny resemblance. 'How could this be?' James was never one for tenderness. Anna fought to pry her eyes open, desperate to glimpse the man's face, but the searing pain that followed locked her body in a rigid grip. "Ease up, I'm coming in..."