Chapter 1
The day before my wedding to Jacob Parker, I discovered I was the Miller family's fake heiress. My parents gave me two choices.
I had to cut ties with the family and get thrown out of Crownwell District, straight back to the slums, or let the real heiress, Audrey Miller, marry Jacob while I became his mistress.
"Rosalie, stop being so stubborn. You've been pampered your whole life. How do you expect to survive on your own? Becoming Jacob's mistress is the best deal you're going to get."
Everyone was convinced I would pick the life of Jacob's mistress.
I simply looked at Jacob, who had been silent all this time. "Do you want me to be your mistress too?"
Jacob paused before answering, "Rosalie, the title of the Miller family's heiress was always supposed to belong to Audrey. You've enjoyed it for years, so you owe it back to her. And our engagement should go back to her too."
Seeing the displeasure on my face, Jacob quickly pulled me into his arms. "But don't worry. Even if you're only my mistress, I'll still treat you right. You'll have everything a wife would."
I gave a sneer and slipped out of his arms. What he didn't know was that I had received a message from Elliot Shaw, the richest man in the country, the day before.
Elliot: Rosalie Miller, if you don't marry me, I'll buy out the Miller Group and make you my wife!
What made Jacob think I would turn down the richest man's wife title just to become his secret mistress?
*****
A sardonic smile curled across my lips. "Jacob, what exactly makes you think I'd willingly settle for being your mistress?"
Jacob paused. Then he laughed under his breath, as though I had told him the funniest joke.
"Rosalie, once you lose your place as the Miller family's heiress, you'll be left with nothing but the slums. Being my mistress would at least guarantee you food, clothes, and a roof over your head. Anyone with a working brain would know which option to take, right?"
Jacob was brimming with confidence, convinced I would never dare refuse him.
I couldn't help finding it absurd. "I choose the first one."
I tore the marriage agreement apart without hesitation and returned to my room.
I sent Elliot a message,
Rosalie: I agree to marry you. I'll go to Empire City with you tomorrow.
The next day, I packed my bags and was about to leave for the airport to meet Elliot when Audrey's mother, Isabelle Miller, called my name again.
"Rosalie..."
Isabelle had barely managed to show a trace of reluctance when Audrey came rushing out in tears. She looked so heartbreakingly fragile that she could have won anyone's sympathy.
"This is all my fault. If I hadn't come back, Rosalie wouldn't have to leave. I took what was supposed to be hers."
Her tears came faster. "Dad, Mom, you can blame me. If I hadn't come back, you wouldn't have to send Rosalie away."
My parents had still been reluctant to see me leave, but the second they saw Audrey crying, they rushed to comfort her without a moment's hesitation. Their eyes filled with nothing but concern for her.
"Don't be silly. You're our biological daughter. Your father and I could never blame you. We only want to take care of you." Isabelle wrapped Audrey in her arms, her heart aching for Audrey.
When Isabelle felt how thin Audrey's wrist was, the guilt weighing on her heart grew even heavier. She couldn't bring herself to worry about anything else. She took Audrey's hand and led her back into the villa.
"It's windy out here. You're too delicate for this. You might catch a cold."
I watched them disappear inside and couldn't help but laugh at my own expense. I was about to get into the car when Alexander Miller, Audrey's father, suddenly called out behind me.
He gave me a complicated look. In the end, he said only one thing before turning around and heading back into the villa.
"You were raised by the Miller family, so don't forget that. Even if you end up in the slums, don't do anything that makes the Miller family look bad."
The car had barely driven out of Crownwell District when I glanced back. Before I had time to feel anything, my phone chimed. Jacob had sent me a message.
Jacob: Rosalie, I know you're stubborn. After you've spent a few years struggling in the slums and finally gotten over this tantrum, I'll send someone to bring you home.
Jacob: I'll always keep the position of my mistress open for you.
I gave a few bitter laughs, deleted the conversation without hesitation, then erased and blocked every contact he had.
