I knelt before Jaxon and Arabelle, bowing so low that my posture resembled that of a dog. The sight of me, humiliated beyond measure, caused the guests to burst into laughter. The shame was so overwhelming that even though my arms remained unbroken, the crowd no longer cared.
Flashes from cameras flickered relentlessly, each one capturing my degradation.
"Look at her, she’s just like a dog."
Jaxon took Arabelle’s hand, raised his foot, and stepped over me.
"From now on, don’t show your face in front of me again. Get lost."
I quietly dusted off my knees and walked out, my head heavy with humiliation.
The next day, the front page of every newspaper displayed a photo of me kneeling at the engagement banquet, with the headline:
"Aldridge Family Criminal Kneels Like a Dog at Engagement Banquet; Why?"
As I glanced at the newspaper, I was already on my way to the Montgomery estate.
Only four days remained. In those four days, I had to awaken the man in the coma and marry him.
The Montgomery family was an old, prestigious lineage.
Once one of the top families in Greenville, their power had faded when their only son became paralyzed ten years ago. Yet, their legacy and influence still lingered.
Their business still thrived, and even Jaxon seemed to flinch at the mention of the Montgomery name.
In the misty rain of Roseville, I pried open the heavy iron gate of the Montgomery Residence. The door swung open, and I smiled, hoping for a warm reception. But the moment the butler saw me, he slammed it shut.
"Disgusting. Where did this dog come from?"
Through the crack, I caught sight of the newspaper tucked under his arm. I quickly pounded on the door.
"I’m here to save your young master!"
The door creaked open again. The butler eyed me skeptically.
"You?"
Before I could answer, a familiar voice called out from inside.
"Butler Dayne, who is it?"
Five years ago, while collecting herbs for Jaxon, I had accidentally saved a woman. I kept it from him, quietly tending to her wounds until, one day, she vanished without a trace. I never saw her again.
That voice sounded like hers.
Butler Dayne seemed to leave to report something, and after a long wait, the door opened again, inviting me in.