Chapter 1

Do you know how humble one can be when loving someone?

Let me tell you, it can be as humble as dust, as cheap as the most inexpensive commodity in the world!

Do you know how painful it is to love someone who doesn't love you back?

Let me tell you, it feels like holding a sharp knife in your hand; the tighter you grip it, the more its sharpness cuts into you, leaving you bleeding and mangled...

Unfortunately, Rachel Williams experienced both.

Rachel fell in love with a man who didn't love her.

That man was Michael, a handsome and wealthy guy, the dream lover of countless women.

Rachel went through great lengths and finally managed to marry Michael.

Marrying the one you love the most should be a blessing for any woman.

But for Rachel, it was the beginning of her misfortune.

Although Rachel was nominally Michael's wife, in reality, Michael never treated Rachel as his wife. Michael was extremely disgusted by Rachel!

Michael's family also never regarded Rachel with respect, treating her more like a servant.

Rachel was deeply hurt, but she never lost hope.

Rachel kept giving to Michael, kept being kind to Michael's family.

She tried her best to please Michael and everyone related to him!

Because Rachel believed that one day Michael would understand her love, accept her, and fall in love with her!

Until one day, Rachel's illusions were completely shattered...

At the start of the year, Summit Ridge District was freezing, like, colder than a witch's tit. Rachel Williams was just zoning out on the living room couch while the high-pitched rant of her mother-in-law, Emily Johnson, was echoing through the house.

"Rachel, it's bad enough you can't have kids! Do you want to starve me and James to death by not cooking at this hour?" Emily's voice grated on Rachel's nerves, just like it had for the past six years of her marriage to Michael Smith. Every single day, Emily never missed a chance to remind Rachel of her so-called failures. But who'd guess her husband had never even touched her?

"Hurry up and help me pack my school bag! I need to go to school!" Michael's younger brother, James Smith, yelled from across the house. To James, Rachel was just an easy target for his pranks and demands.

With a heavy sigh, Rachel dragged herself downstairs, headed to the kitchen, and started making breakfast on autopilot.

"Mom, food's ready!" Rachel called out, though her voice was as cold as a freezer.

Emily stormed into the kitchen, her eyes zeroing in on Rachel's blank face. She slammed her cup on the table, making Rachel flinch.

"Rachel, you live off my son's money, in his house, and this is how you treat me? Do I need to call Michael and have him divorce you?" Emily threatened, her face twisted in anger.

Rachel's hand shook as she held the plate. She took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Mom, I didn't mean to."

Emily snorted, crossing her arms. "Don't think that just because Mrs. Smith supports you, you'll always be Michael's wife. You're nothing compared to Mandy!" The mention of Mandy Brown sent a chill down Rachel's spine.

James piped up, eyeing Rachel with mischief. "You don't know, do you? Mandy is getting discharged soon. My brother's going to bring her back here to live with us."

Rachel's vision blurred for a moment, her grip on the plate slipping. Emily, looking down on her affected and pitiful demeanor, waved her off dismissively. "Get out of my sight! You're ruining my appetite."

Rachel retreated to the upstairs den, curling up on the sofa as the ache in her heart deepened. By evening, the low rumble of a Maybach pulling into the driveway jolted her from her thoughts. She bolted to the balcony, her heart racing as she peered down. A tall, impeccably dressed man stepped out of the car. Michael's appearance was nothing short of striking, his presence more commanding than any TV star. But the cold, unfeeling look he shot up at Rachel made her heart sink.

Steeling herself, Rachel moved to prepare his bathwater, a nightly ritual she clung to. "Honey, Grandma has been at the Christian mission for almost a month. She called this afternoon to say she's praying for you..." she said.