Marcia Patton had risen from a beggar girl to a marshal's wife, yet after five years with no baby, she became the laughingstock of every socialite circle.

She had finally gotten pregnant, but less than a month later, she lost the baby.

Crushed with grief, Marcia went looking for comfort from her husband, Wilmer Kent. Instead, she walked in on him in bed with Lorie Snyder—the very woman responsible for her parents' deaths.

"The Snyder family has fallen. You're no longer the highborn lady you once were. You're my captive now, and you're gonna give me many kids!"

"Are you insane? Make your wife do it! She's already pregnant, isn't she?"

Wilmer's eyes darkened, his movements only growing more violent. "Marcie stood with me through life and death, so the title and honor of a marshal's wife belong to her. But the mother of my heirs must be a well-bred, educated lady like you—not an illiterate beggar girl like her.

"I had the doctor cut the baby out and destroy her womb. She'll never get pregnant again."

Lorie froze, eyes wide, momentarily forgetting to struggle.

"Don't tell me that the baby was still alive when they cut him out."

Wilmer stiffened. His voice turned rough. "Yeah, he was still breathing when he came out. The doctor said his eyes and brows looked almost exactly like mine. If he had made it to full term, he would've been a lively, healthy kid. But I guess we were never meant to be father and son."

A flicker of soft pity flashed across Lorie's eyes. Before she knew it, she began moving with him.

Outside, Marcia was completely thunderstruck. She gripped the wall with both hands just to stay upright.

After Lorie caused her parents' deaths, Wilmer swore he would make that woman suffer for the rest of her life.

She never imagined that his so-called revenge was to hide Lorie away in some other house and screw her every single night.

And what she never saw coming was that he looked down on her for being a beggar the whole time, so he had their healthy baby cut out of her and destroyed her womb.

The pain pierced her heart like a thousand arrows. A sharp, metallic taste filled her throat, and she coughed up blood.

With blood on her lips, she gave a bitter, mocking smile.

Wilmer, is this really about finding a suitable mother for your heirs—or have you been in love with Lorie all along?

There are countless highborn women in the world. Why choose her?

If not for the "lowly beggar girl" you despise, you would've died in a foreign land years ago.

When the Snyder family bought Wilmer as a slave, Lorie treated him like an animal and made him fight the dogs for food.

Marcia had given him the food she fought to gather, keeping him alive.

When Lorie used him as a target and left him bleeding, it was Marcia who carried him through a snowstorm to the hospital, dragging him back from death's doorstep.

When Lorie threw him into a forest full of wild beasts, Marcia had risked her life again to pull him out...

Their bond was forged through countless brushes with death.

After Wilmer rose through the ranks and earned his glory, he married her with full ceremony.

Marcia had worried she could never fit the role of a marshal's wife. She didn't like constraints; she longed for an ordinary life.

But when she saw the loneliness in Wilmer's eye, she pushed aside her own wishes and busied herself with housework and socializing with the other ladies.

For five whole years, the whole world thought he was head-over-heels for her.

But it was all a lie. The woman he had always wanted at his side was Lorie.

Marcia wiped the blood and tears from her cheeks. Her eyes hardened with determination.

If that was the truth, then she would leave him completely—and live a life that finally belonged to her.

Marcia stumbled back to her room as if her soul had been left behind. She opened her dressing case and took out a little pouch.

Inside were the play-dead pills she had bought from a travelling doctor.

"Take one a day. On day six, you'll stop breathing and go stiff as any corpse."

She had only kept them out of curiosity. She never thought she'd actually need them.

Six months ago, she had sulked off to a friend's place to get back at Wilmer, and he sent his men to search everywhere and even telegraphed nationwide, making a huge commotion.

This time, to leave him for good, she'd have to fake her own death.

She gave a bitter smile and swallowed one without a second thought.

Then she sent a letter to Ethan Caldwell: "Remember, you owe me your life? Dig up my grave half a month after my death and save me. Then we'll be even."

When it was done, she told her maid, Shelly Berg, to bring in a brazier.

One by one, she threw the clothes and toys she had made for her baby into the fire.

"I'm sorry, little one. I got you killed. I shouldn't have loved Wilmer and stuck around," she murmured, pressing a hand to her flat belly as tears slid down her cheeks.

"Marcie, what are you burning?"

Wilmer had walked in without her noticing.

"Nothing important. Just some new clothes and shoes for the baby I'll never meet, so he won't freeze or go hungry over there."

Guilt flicked across his face.

"We're still young. We'll have other kids."

Marcia gave a bitter smile.

"Really?"

Seeing her so broken, Wilmer felt a pang in his heart. He reached out to wipe the tears off her cheek. "Yeah, I promise."

She jerked her face away from his hand, a wave of sorrow washing over her.

If she were still in the dark, his sweet talk would've melted her on the spot.

"Wilmer, you've played me for such a fool..."

"It's late. Time to go to bed. I've got army stuff to finish."

He strode out before the words even reached him.

She spotted Lorie's maid waiting by the door and felt a dull, heavy stab in her chest.

They used to talk all night and still wish dawn would wait, but now, he dumped her for Lorie.

She forced a bitter smile and swallowed the tears stinging her eyes.

He wasn't worth a single drop anymore.

Marcia was trapped in nightmares all night and didn't sleep a wink.

Before the sky even lit up, Lorie stormed in with a bunch of maids, arrogant and bossy as ever.

"They say Wilmer does whatever you tell him. So why don't you get him off my back and stop him from screwing me every night?"

She jerked her collar wide, flashing red hickeys all over her skin.

When it hit Marcia what Wilmer had been doing with Lorie all night, her heart felt like it was being wrung out.

"If I had known I was hauled here to be his caged plaything, I'd rather someone had slit my throat. I don't care how you do it. Just leash your man. He's not worth one single baby from me."

Marcia's nails bit deep into her palms.

"This isn't your stage to show off."

But Lorie acted as if she hadn't heard. Her eyes dropped to Marcia's flat belly, bright with fake pity.

"So it's all true? He said you reek like a beggar, that a lowlife like you isn't good enough to carry his heir, and he had the baby cut out of you."

The maids gasped and looked at one another, then at Marcia, every gaze dripping pity.

A crushing humiliation overwhelmed her, cutting her to the core.

She fought to keep her voice steady. "Quit showing off, you captive. Shelly, drag her out."

"Don't you dare!"

Lorie's round eyes flared. She snatched the steaming cup off the table and flung the water straight into Marcia's face.

The burn hit like fire. Marcia's skin turned scarlet, blisters popping up everywhere.

"How dare you hit Mrs. Kent! Somebody grab her and shoot her!" Shelly yelled.

Before she finished, a deep voice cut through the room.

"What's going on here?"

Shelly hurried forward. "This woman mocked Mrs. Kent's low birth and flung hot water on her. By law, she should be shot."

Wilmer's gaze fixed on Marcia's burn.

Then he lost it. "I left you breathing so you could fix your mess, and you turn around and hurt Marcie again? You just don't learn, do you?

"Drag her out! I'll handle her another day."

Once, some jerk laughed at Marcia for being a beggar, and Wilmer tossed him straight into jail. Yet today, when Lorie spat the same insult, all he said was "another day."

Marcia's voice came out stiff. "What are you gonna do to Lorie?"

Wilmer's hand, spreading ointment on her skin, suddenly stopped.

"I'm keeping her as my maid, so I can yell at her, smack her, and make her life hell whenever I feel like it."

A bitter little smile tugged at her lips. Pain washed over her in a wave.

So "making Lorie's life hell" meant screwing her every night?

"After everything she has done, even death is too good for her. Don't tell me you've forgotten.

"That's why I'm keeping her close. I'm gonna show everyone how generous and forgiving I am."

Wilmer raised an eyebrow, and the silent threat was loud enough.

The last bit of hope in Marcia's chest shattered, leaving only bitter irony.

The old promises still echoed in her ears, yet every ounce of strength drained out of her. Nothing mattered anymore.

"Good night."

These days, he kept saying he was swamped with work and wouldn't sleep with her. She knew where he actually spent the nights.

Seeing Marcia walk away all alone gave Wilmer a sudden, nasty pang in his gut.

He had barely taken a step after her when a maid burst in. "Ms. Snyder smashed things in her room and hurt her hand. Please come quickly!"

Hearing Wilmer's quick footsteps as he rushed away, Marcia didn't hesitate. She swallowed the second pill.

He had already broken his promise to her; now she'd break her tie with him.

The next morning, Wilmer had a jeep waiting at the gate.

"Come on, Marcie, you loved shooting. Let's hit the range and blow off some steam."

When Marcia got to the range, she saw Lorie standing there too.

"I'm training her," Wilmer murmured sweetly, "so if trouble ever starts, she can protect me."

While he had his back turned, picking out a pistol, the servants started whispering, "Mr. Kent is really good to Ms. Snyder. She said shooting alone was boring, so he brought Mrs. Kent along to keep her company."

"Yeah. Last night, she threw a fit, smashed things, and cut her hand. Mr. Kent spent the whole night taking care of her and putting her to bed."

"On top of that, all those new meat, grain, and oil coupons, plus the TV and fridge Mr. Kent pulled strings to get, went straight to her room. Mrs. Kent didn't get a single one. Looks like she is gonna replace Mrs. Kent."

Each word felt like a boulder rolling over Marcia's heart, grinding until every breath ached.

So Wilmer only brought her here to keep Lorie company!

What did he take her for?!

She spun on her heel, ready to walk off, but Lorie whirled around and leveled the pistol at her.

A smirk curled on Lorie's lips, silent words mouthing, "You've always wanted me dead, haven't you? Let's see who dies first."

A bullet tore through the air, aiming right at Marcia's heart.

Marcia ducked sideways.

Just as Lorie raised her pistol for a second shot, she pulled the trigger first.

But the very next heartbeat, a bullet ripped through her own arm.

A sharp pain hit. She stared at Wilmer, who had already lowered his pistol, like she couldn't believe what he had just done.

"Marcie, why were you trying to kill Lorie?"

Marcia's eyes were red. "She wanted me dead first!"

Wilmer looked around at everybody there.

"Who fired first?"

"Mrs. Kent has tried to kill me plenty of times before. Why the big show? Just let me die right now!"

Lorie shoved the pistol under her own chin.

Wilmer grabbed her arm. "Drop it!

"You don't get to die unless I say!"

Marcia's heart tore as she watched Wilmer hug Lorie tight while she fought to get free.

After a long, tense silence, Wilmer finally made up his mind. "Since no one can prove who started it, you both pay.

"Take Lorie home. I'll handle her later.

"Marcia, on your knees here till the sun comes up."

Blood dripped from her arm, but her heart hurt way more.

Wilmer didn't trust her!

"Marcie, with everyone watching, I can't take sides. Just hang in there for now."

He bent close, his face soft with guilt.

A bitter smile touched her lips. Her heart was so broken it couldn't hurt anymore.

She dropped to her knees.

Her knees hit the ground and started bleeding. The bullet wound in her arm kept gushing, just like her heart, torn and battered beyond repair.

Everyone on the field was throwing glances. "Kneeling doesn't look that bad, but it's totally humiliating. After this, how's Mrs. Kent supposed to have any respect left?"

"Yeah, they say Mr. Kent loves her, but from what I see, he cares way more about Ms. Snyder. He carried her back to her room, whispering sweet nothings the whole way."

"Listen, you can hear them going at it in there. It's downright embarrassing. Poor girl. Mrs. Kent was dumped by Marshal Kent, and because he hated where she came from, he had her baby cut out while he was still breathing."

Marcia froze in her tracks.

So by "handling Lorie," Wilmer meant screwing her in bed.

She shook her head with a bitter smile, tears streaming down her face.

She had been a fool, fallen for the wrong guy.

Good thing she only had five days left before she could walk away.

She didn't want the so-called glory of being Wilmer's wife, and she sure as hell didn't want him either.

She couldn't take it anymore. She spat blood and crashed to the floor.

When she came to, Wilmer was wrapping her wound.

"I've found out the truth. Lorie fired first.

"But it wasn't on purpose. You're my wife. Don't nitpick with a servant."

Marcia stared at the gash on her arm and gave a bitter laugh. "So the only way you'd call me big-hearted is if I stood there and let her shoot me dead?"

The tears flickering in her eyes made Wilmer's heart jolt.

He reached out on instinct, ready to pull her close and soothe her.

"Ms. Snyder is awake," the guard whispered.

He yanked his hands back at once.

"Rest up, Marcie. I'll take you to the chapel to honor the vow tomorrow."

Marcia shut her eyes as tears slipped down.

She swallowed hard, washing the bitterness down with the medicine.

She swayed to her feet and popped the third pill into her mouth.

"Three more days, Wilmer," she thought, "then you can keep Lorie forever.

"And I can finally walk away from you.

"We'll both get what we want."

***

The soft chants of the chapel filled the air, the bell echoing way off.

Marcia saw Wilmer and Lorie step out of the same car, but she felt nothing.

She ignored them and stepped up to the statue of St. Valentine, head bowed.

"Five years ago, my husband and I pulled a love token out of this box together. He has traded me in for someone new, so I'm here to burn the token and end the deal."

Back then, Wilmer cried happy tears when the token said "forever and a day."

Now those same words felt like the worst joke.

With a wry smile, she snapped the wooden token in half and dropped the pieces into the censer.

"What are you burning?"

"Letters to the deceaseds," Marcia replied calmly.

It didn't ease Wilmer's mind.

As he was about to ask further questions, Lorie screamed.

The gigantic stone statue above them toppled down. The rocks were going to bury Lorie.

"Rie!"

Without thinking, Wilmer dashed over and pulled Lorie into his arms, protecting her.

"Marshal Kent!"

The guards hurriedly removed the rocks. Wilmer was covered in blood, but Lorie was unscathed beneath him.

Marcia bit her lip so hard that it would draw blood.

She had underestimated Wilmer's love for Lorie. He was willing to die for her.

Thanks to the doctor, Wilmer's condition was stable.

"R-Rie..."

As Wilmer chanted Lorie's name in stupor, Marcia sneered.

"I'm shocked that he'd risk his life for me. Maybe staying with him isn't as bad as I thought.

"However, I won't be a mistress. You'd better leave and let me be Mrs. Kent."

Marcia narrowed her eyes over Lorie's snobbery. "Don't waste your energy threatening me. Use it on convincing Wilmer to divorce me."

"Fine, Marcia! Just wait!" Lorie snapped.

"Mrs. Kent, shouldn't we stay and take care of Mr. Kent?" Shelly followed Marcia out closely.

"He doesn't need my care."

She thought it'd pain her to say this. But it didn't.

Returning home, Marcia took the fourth pill.

Two more days, and she'd be free of Wilmer.

That night, Marcia dreamt about the past.

Wilmer's parents were strongly against their marriage. Wilmer stabbed himself in the chest to shut them up.

She was harassed by a drunk man. Wilmer came to her rescue and beat that guy up.

But the last thing she saw in the dream was Wilmer yanking their baby out of her with a scowl.

Marcia startled awake, tears falling down her face.

Before she could calm down, Wilmer strode into the room.

"Marcie, Rie is having an asthmatic attack! She won't stop coughing!

"The fortune teller said she couldn't be healed unless she had a blood transfusion with her enemy's blood.

"You're the only person who has been opposing her all along the line..."

Marcia couldn't believe her ears. "You believed that crap and wanted to take my blood to heal her asthma?!

"Are you out of your mind, Wilmer?!"

Even a crazy person wouldn't believe such ridiculous treatment.

She was too weak to give anyone her blood.

If Wilmer did it, he'd be killing her.

Wilmer's expression darkened. "It's unorthodox. But you won't know until you try."

In the past, Wilmer hated superstitions. He wanted to shoot those fortune tellers whenever he met one, calling them crooks.

Yet, he wouldn't think rationally because Lorie was sick. He'd gone so far that he'd risk Marcia's life.

Marcia broke free from Wilmer's grip and asked, her voice trembling, "What if I refuse?"

"Marcie, don't make it hard for me. Rie is my maid. People will look down on me if I can't even save a maid."

The anxious look on Wilmer's face said otherwise.

Marcia sneered, "Lorie's life matters. But my life matters, too."

Wilmer tensed and said curtly, "This is an order! Everyone, do as I say!"

He turned to the doctor. "Go. Take Marcia's blood and transfuse it into Rie! Don't you dare stop without my permission!"

The doctor reminded him in a small voice, "Mr. Kent, Mrs. Kent lost a lot of blood when she lost the baby. Taking her blood will weaken her health greatly."

Wilmer thought for a moment and said impatiently, "Marcie is strong. A little blood won't affect her. Stop yapping and do as I say!"

The last hope Marcia harbored for Wilmer died.

She watched the doctor draw her blood with a poker face.

Her blood swiftly left her body and filled the blood bag.

Wilmer was urging the guard to prepare Lorie's medicine and didn't notice her pale face at all.

As Wilmer didn't tell him to stop, the doctor pushed the needle deeper for more blood.

It should be anguish, but Marcia didn't feel any pain.

Her heart was dead, with only remorse remaining inside.

A tear escaped her eye, and Marcia passed out.

When she woke up, Shelly was the only one attending to her. The rest of the staff were nowhere to be found.

She chuckled bitterly.

The servants avoided her like a plague now that she had lost Wilmer's support.

It suited her fine. She could spend the last two days in peace and quiet.

Marcia got up and took the fifth pill.

Sensing the changes in her body, she felt content.

When she was about to return to bed, Wilmer came in with Lorie.

His gaze flickered as he saw the blood-tinted gauze on Marcia's arm.

"Marcie, are you OK? I wanted to visit, but I was so busy..."

"I know how diligent you are."

Wilmer was shocked by Marcia's aloof attitude. Worries washed over him.

"Have you taken your medicine? Let me help you."

"No, thanks. I've already taken them."

Wilmer stiffened as he was pouring a glass of water.

Soon, he was distracted as Lorie started coughing loudly.

"I've been craving venison for some reason. Mrs. Kent, I heard you donated blood for me. I'm grateful. So, I asked Mr. Kent to let you join our hunt tomorrow. You never left home. I assume you've never been to this type of activity."

Lorie didn't bother to mask the arrogant look on her face. It wasn't an invitation. It was a challenge.

Wilmer thought Marcia would say she wouldn't go as she didn't feel well.

To his surprise, Marcia nodded and said, "OK."

Marcia had asked to go hunting with Wilmer many times before. But he always said no, saying he didn't want her to get hurt. But he agreed without any protest when Lorie asked him.

Good thing that Marcia didn't care about him anymore.

Wilmer's chest tightened as he looked at the distant expression on Marcia's face.

He thought, "Never mind. She'll come around soon. I just need to say some nice things, and we'll be as close as before.

"She loves me so much that she'll forgive anything."

Marcia watched the pair leave calmly.

"Mrs. Kent, Mr. Kent doesn't remember it's your birthday today. Every year, he'd throw a grand party to celebrate with you. Last year, there was a firework. Two years ago..."

Shelly ranted, feeling sad for Marcia.

"It's alright. I'll have many joyful birthdays in the future."

Marcia gazed at the horizon in the distance.

She said inwardly, "Wilmer, my birthday wish is that you and Lorie will grow old together and have many children. "

The next day, they went to a nearby mountain.

"Rie's asthma isn't healed. She'll be riding with me just in case."

Wilmer carried Lorie up to his horse before Marcia could utter a word.

Marcia caressed the wound on her arm and scoffed.

It reminded her of her first riding lesson. Wilmer had also held her in his arms tightly.

Luckily, she wouldn't feel sad about him anymore. She didn't care who he was holding in his arms.

"A white deer!"

Lorie whipped the horse and dashed into the forest. When the horse brushed by Marcia, she pricked Marcia's horse with a needle.

Marcia's horse lost control and chased after Wilmer and Lorie. Marcia's stomach dropped.

As the horses carried them to the deep end of the forest, a group of men in dark clothes showed up.

"Ambush! Run!"

Marcia tried to make her horse turn around. But it collapsed to the ground as a bullet shot through its head.

The three had to get off the horses and take out their guns, fending for their lives.

"Rie hasn't recovered fully. I need to get her out of here. Stay behind and try to stop them! Help is coming!"

Marcia thought her heart had died. Still, she felt it had been squeezed.

There were so many enemies. If she stayed, she'd die.

Wilmer was trading off her life for Lorie.

She looked at Lorie, and Lorie flashed her a sinister smile.

One second later, she saw a bullet flying over. It was aimed at Lorie's forehead.

In the last moment, a strong grip came out of nowhere and dragged Marcia in front of Lorie.

As the bullet shot through her, she stared at Wilmer in disbelief.

He had used her as a shield for Lorie.

Blood oozed out of her chest, drenching her dress. Her already battered heart was torn into pieces.

"I'm sorry, Marcie. It was an accident. I wasn't thinking."

No, it wasn't an accident. He'd do anything to save Lorie.

At this point, Marcia's heart was numb because of the heartbreak. She wouldn't feel a thing.

As Wilmer leaned down to check on Marcia, Lorie was shot and dropped to the ground.

He immediately threw Marcia down and collected Lorie in his arms.

"Rie, how are you?"

Marcia hit the hard ground. The sharp pain nearly made her faint.

Luckily, the guards arrived and controlled the situation.

"Marshal Kent, the bullets that hit Mrs. Kent and Ms. Snyder are both poisonous."

"Search the hitmen for an antidote!"

Clenching to Lorie, Wilmer yelled at his men and didn't spare Marcia a glance.

Marcia lay on the cold ground without a glimmer of hope.

"Marshal Kent, the hitmen killed themselves. I only found one antidote."

Wilmer stared at the pill bottle with a solemn expression.

"Guess who Wilmer will save?" Lorie whispered in Marcie's ear. "Let me tell you something. The bullet that hit me isn't poisonous."

Marcia was stunned.

She opened her mouth to tell Wilmer the truth. But a guard she didn't recognize got his attention first.

"One hitman said Mrs. Kent had planned this ambush to get rid of Ms. Snyder before he killed himself."

When Wilmer looked at Marcia again, his gaze was filled with hate.

"How could you hurt Rie again and again? She's an innocent maid who can't harm anyone. I'm so disappointed in you."

"I won't give you the antidote. Just wait for a doctor."

The massive blood loss added to Marcia's pain, leaving her with no strength to utter a word.

"The bullet is close to Mrs. Kent's heart and lungs. Without an antidote, she couldn't get through today. Ms. Snyder's injury is mild. I have medicine that can suppress the poison. Give me three days, and I'll come up with an antidote.

"There are many things we aren't clear about this assassination. We can't just believe a hitman's words..."

Wilmer didn't listen to the doctor.

"Say no more. I've made up my mind."

Marcia watched Wilmer gingerly feed the antidote to Lorie, and she coughed up blood. Despite the tears in her eyes, her gaze was heavy with determination. "Wilmer, you'd better not regret this."

I'd never forgive you.

Wilmer felt a sharp pain in his heart.

But he didn't have the time to dwell on it as Lorie winced in pain. He immediately picked her up and carried her to the car.

Marcia's tears ran dry.

Her heart was as dead as a desert.

She dragged herself back home and gave Shelly the note she'd written beforehand.

"When Wilmer comes over, give him this letter."

"Mrs. Kent..." Shelly sobbed.

"Come on, Shelly. Don't cry. Guard the door. I've made arrangements."

As Shelly closed the door behind her, Marcia took the last pill.

Her stomach hurt. The poison in her body was raging.

The two forces were attacking each other in her. She couldn't stop coughing up blood.

But Marcia didn't care.

No matter whether she'd be dead or wake up again, she wouldn't be free of Wilmer.

She changed into a dress she made herself and lay down on the bed quietly, a smile donning on her face.

Wilmer, goodbye.

When Lorie woke up, Wilmer had fallen asleep, sitting by her side.

He gave her the antidote and watched over her all night.

Lorie thought of the care and love Wilmer had shown her these days. She couldn't help but fall for him.

Finally, she could admit that she didn't frame Marcia just to avenge herself. She did it because she loved Wilmer.

She reached out and caressed Wilmer's face gently.

Wilmer grabbed her hand, surprising her.

"Your wound isn't hurting anymore?"

With drowsy eyes, Wilmer kissed the back of her hand.

Lorie shook her head. "No matter how severe my injury is, you'll fix it, right?"

"Of course."

Wilmer smirked and lunged at Lorie, pinning her down.

Before her last piece of clothing was torn off, Lorie asked the question she'd been meaning to ask.

"Since when did you fall in love with me?"

Wilmer's hot kisses rained on her neck.

"Since the first time I saw you."

When he was a poor servant. He saw this beautiful, rich girl, and the only thing that came to his mind was to conquer her.

That was why Wilmer used his power to take down the Snyder family. He wanted Lorie.

He wanted to fully conquer this arrogant woman.

As Lorie moaned and writhed beneath him, he had never been prouder.

The kind of satisfaction that Marcia could never give him.

Suddenly, Marcia's pale, lifeless face appeared in his mind. Wilmer's stomach dropped.

However, he soon lost interest in the pleasure Lorie was giving him.

For days, the two lost in each other, having sex all over the room.

Wilmer only left because the army summoned him back urgently.

"Wilmer, take me with you."

Lorie shook Wilmer's arm, pouting cutely.

Wilmer chuckled and touched her nose.

"Alright. Whatever you say."

In the camping ground, thousands of soldiers were standing in lines with great solemnity.

But Lorie was sitting on Wilmer's lap with a plate of fruit.

"Marshal Kent, no outsider can interfere with internal affairs in the army. That's the rule. Mrs. Kent has followed it dutifully. How could this criminal be an exception?"

Danial Tyler, Wilmer's chief of staff, said solemnly. He had always been a friend and a father figure to Wilmer. The other officials echoed.

Before Wilmer could come up with an excuse, Lorie threw the plate at Danial.

"Wilmer is the leader of this army! You've got no right to say anything, old man!"

Danial had fought along with Wilmer and won many war achievements. He was respected in the army. Nobody had ever humiliated him like this. His face was turning purple.

"Wilmer considers me his mentor. Of course, I have the right to warn him. You're just a whore. What gives you the right to be here?"

Lorie kicked at Danial. "Damn you, old fool! Shut up!"

"No, Rie!"

The ruckus made the vein on Wilmer's temple jump. He hurriedly pulled Lorie back. "Danial is decorated and respected in our army. How could you?"

Lorie pouted, "I've never been insulted like this. It wounded me. Wilmer, are you going to help them hurt me?

"If so, you may as well kill me."

With red-rimmed eyes, Lorie dashed toward a stone pillar.

Wilmer was shocked, but he acted fast and grabbed Lorie, keeping her in his arms.

"There, there. Stop it. I'm on your side."

When Lorie finally calmed down, Wilmer helped Danial up. "Rie is fragile. She got carried away. Please forgive her."

One hand on his chest, Danial looked at Wilmer with disappointment. "I heard you abandoned Marcia for this woman. Now I see. You've not only abandoned your wife. You've thrown away your qualities as a soldier!

"Wilmer! You've let all of us down!"

Danial stormed out, letting Wilmer handle the whispering soldiers by himself.

Ashamed, Wilmer dismissed them.

The campground was quiet, but Danial's words still rang in his head.

Marcia would never put him in a spot like this.

She was polite and handled the business at home and in the army well. He never needed to worry about a thing.

As he lost in thought, Lorie passed out and fell into his arms.

Wilmer immediately brought her back to her room and summoned all the army doctors.

Sounds of arguing came from outside.

"What's the noise?"

"Marshal Kent, Mrs. Kent's maid is asking to see you."

Wilmer stiffened briefly.

"Send her in."

Shelly knelt down as soon as she came in.

"Marshal Kent, please check on Mrs. Kent. Since she had been poisoned, she'd locked herself in her room. It's been three days. I'm worried that she may..."

Wilmer's chest tightened. Indeed, it'd been a while since he'd visited Marcia.

But he remembered the things Marcia'd done to Lorie. The anger returned.

"The doctor made an antidote for her, right? She should be resting. Why is she stirring up trouble again? She has done enough wrong things."

Shelly begged with tears, "Marshal Kent, please hear me out. The doctor never gave Mrs. Kent an antidote..."

"Nonsense. She should know better. And you shouldn't listen to her. I know what you're doing. She's upset that Wilmer has spent more time with me, so she sent you to take him away.

"Wilmer, you can go with her. Don't bother coming back."

Lorie turned her head arrogantly, not looking at Wilmer.

Wilmer pulled her into his arms and waved dismissively at Shelly.

"Tell Marcia to remember her place. If she causes a ruckus again, I'll kick her out."

Shelly struggled fiercely against the guards and took out the note Marcia gave her. "Marshal Kent, I'm telling the truth. This letter is from Mrs. Kent. You'll know everything once you read it..."

For reasons that he couldn't fathom, Wilmer started dreading, his hands shaking as he reached for the letter.

When Wilmer opened the envelope, Lorie shouted and collapsed.

He immediately shoved the letter to a guard and picked Lorie up before taking her to a doctor.

Anxious, Shelly continued begging behind them, "Marshal Kent, Mrs. Kent is in a critical condition. She needs help, or she'll die. Please go to see her..."

Wilmer looked annoyed.

"Why would she die? She's fine.

"Guards. Throw her out. Don't let her in again without my permission."

Shelly's cries faded. Yet, the worry in Wilmer's heart grew.

It kept him awake at night. So, he got out of bed and roamed the house aimlessly.

He was surprised to run into a group of servants who were covered in bruises.

"Why are you hurt? What happened?"

Wilmer wasn't angry, but his presence still scared the servants. They huddled together, shaking.

The housekeeper answered, his voice trembling, "Marshal Kent, they were hurt because they upset Ms. Snyder.

"This one is blind because Ms. Snyder accused him of looking at her inappropriately.

"This maid's scalp nearly got peeled off because she accidentally yanked off Ms. Snyder's hair while brushing her hair."

The accusations piled up.

Wilmer felt his blood freeze over the housekeeper's words.

Would this vicious woman they described be the Lorie he knew?

Marcia never tortured the staff.

She had run the house fairly with strict rules.

A tight knot formed between his brows. Wilmer said, "Marcia's the hostess. She's the one who can punish the servants. Why didn't she say something?"

The servants exchanged looks.

The housekeeper said in a small voice, "Normally, Mrs. Kent will patrol the property every day. But we haven't seen her in days.

"It's said that she'd been poisoned and wouldn't receive any treatment. I'm afraid..."

The housekeep tailed off.

All colors left Wilmer's face.

Ever since Marcia took over the family affairs, she'd seen to everything personally. Even in her sick days, she never voiced a complaint.

Remembering Shelly's words, Wilmer panicked.

He balled his fists and willed himself to stop thinking.

His legs carried him toward Marcia's room.

At that moment, he'd never been so eager to see Marcia's face.

His pace quickened more and more. In the end, he was running.

The cold moonlight followed him like a silent taunt on this pathetic man.