Five Years as His Secret Lover

Chapter 1 The Prince's Hidden Mistress

I was the mistaken daughter of the Hartwell family, the "Little Stutter" mocked by everyone in Harborfell City. Yet someone as unwanted as me became the secret lover of the Prince of Harborfell for five years.

We kissed at the summit of Frostpeak Range, sought thrills in the Harborfell Oceanarium, and made love beneath the stars inside the Harborfell Astral Observatory. Every property Adrian Cross owned carried traces of our intimacy. Just moments ago, at the welcome banquet for Adrian's beloved Vivian, we had finished another reckless encounter.

"Mr. Cross, I'm curious. What does the Little Stutter sound like in bed?"

"I know. Probably like—ah… ah… ah…"

The exaggerated performance sent the room into roaring laughter.

"Damn, you're getting me excited too, Mr. Cross. Since Vivian is back and you don't want the Little Stutter anymore, why not let me try?"

Adrian rotated the ring on his thumb and slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Vivian will be here soon. Don't say things that spoil the atmosphere."

The others nodded eagerly. "Exactly. Vivian is the first love in Mr. Cross's heart. Don't let those dirty jokes reach her ears." They straightened their clothes and wiped down Vivian's reserved seat until it shone.

Outside the screen separating us, I struggled with the zipper Adrian had torn open, as if fixing it could gather back the dignity scattered across the floor. No matter how many times I tried, it wouldn't close. Tears flooded my eyes. I crouched down, biting my nails, stubbornly refusing to cry out.

Fifteen years ago, I helped Adrian escape from kidnappers and suffered inhuman torture in the process. The trauma weakened my body and left me with a stutter. After I was rescued, the Hartwell family gradually grew tired of my flaw. Five years ago, when the real Hartwell heiress was found, they removed me from the family register without hesitation. Adrian was the one who kept me. "You have nowhere to go. Stay with me."

I knew he only needed someone to fill the emptiness left by Vivian Vale's departure, but my secret love for him made me agree without hesitation. I believed that one day Adrian might fall in love with me. But tonight proved I had only been deceiving myself.

"Vivian is back," he said. "You know I can't marry you. There are plenty of outstanding men. If you want, I can find you another patron… or arrange for someone to marry you." He spoke without emotion, like a businessman discussing a guaranteed deal, certain I would refuse and beg to remain beside him as his hidden mistress.

"Miss, are you alright?"

It was Vivian. I had seen her countless times before—in Adrian's study, in his wallet, in the photo folders he browsed when drunk. She truly was his first love. Every smile of hers shone brightly; she was like someone born to stand in the spotlight.

Adrian and the others approached when they heard the commotion. Vivian looked worried. "Adrian, I don't know what's wrong with this young lady. She's crouching here and trembling. You should take her to Harborfell Central Hospital."

I kept my head down, trying to hide my embarrassment. Their eyes swept across the obvious marks of passion on my pale skin. One bold man laughed. "Vivian, don't worry. She just had her fill. Her legs are probably too weak to stand."

The chaotic bite marks on my neck made Vivian blush. "Don't tease the girl," she said gently. Adrian shot the man a cold look, and a bottle smashed against his head. "If you don't know how to speak, keep your mouth shut." Terrified, the man dropped to his knees and begged for forgiveness.

Cold liquid splashed across my body, but Adrian pulled Vivian tightly into his arms to protect her. The spilled wine felt as if it had poured into my heart, extinguishing the burning love I had carried for five years. Vivian couldn't even bear hearing dirty jokes, yet I had endured five years of mockery.

I gave a bitter smile and turned away, but Adrian stopped me. "I'll take you to Harborfell Central Hospital."

"N… no need." I gathered every shred of dignity to refuse, but the moment I spoke, my stutter turned it into another joke.

"You must be Ms. Hartwell, right?" Vivian's voice was clear and melodious, like a songbird in the mountains. "I know you."

Know what? Did she know I was Adrian's hidden mistress? Or that I had been expelled from the Hartwell family as a fake heiress? Either truth was humiliating.

I bit my finger nervously as Adrian dragged me into the car without asking. I thought he cared about me, but instead, he questioned me. "I thought I made things clear. Why did you show up in front of Vivian?" I wanted to explain, but he didn't give me the chance.

"Pick one." He tossed his phone into my lap. "Consider it compensation. After this, don't appear in front of Vivian or me again."

Looking at the list of men on the screen, I finally understood what he meant. Outside, snow fell heavily. Adrian's profile looked icy. I didn't argue further. "Th… then him."