Chapter 1
The Violent Woman
“Bride, enter!”
Flower petals fluttered in the air.
The lights dazzled, the dress was breathtaking, and cheers rang in her ears.
Lucy lifted her head with a bright smile, gazing at the Crown Prince Pierre, waiting for her at the altar.
How did I end up here?
Her feelings were mixed, almost unreal.
But this unbelievable marriage—no, remarriage—was clearly the greatest stroke of luck she’d ever receive in her life.
Even if it was only temporary, sealed by contract.
Calmly, Lucy walked toward Pierre.
When he smiled and kissed the back of her hand, she felt a spark of hope that her future days would finally be worth looking forward to.
After all, all that was left now was to “bless” the misery of those who had once disgraced her name.
Lucy Beria was only five when she lost her parents. She was left in her uncle’s care, forced to grow up in hardship.
But her uncle squandered the family wealth on his mistress, dragging the once-proud Beria household to ruin.
To restore the only honor her parents had left behind, Lucy married young—barely twenty years old—dreaming of rebuilding her family.
Her husband was Theodore, eldest son of the prestigious Garnet family. Though only a Baron, not yet a Count like his father, he was heir to the house and guaranteed success.
When Theodore confessed his love, promising to pay off her debts and build a future together, Lucy thought her suffering was finally over.
But it was only the beginning.
Her mother-in-law, the Countess, despised her and treated her cruelly. Lucy endured endless verbal abuse, constant housework, and humiliation from servants who grew bold enough to mistreat her as well.
Still, she clung to her husband’s words: “If you marry me, I’ll pay off your debts.”
Theodore was kind when she cried, and he seemed sincere. So she endured—for her parents’ name, for the Beria family’s last shred of honor.
Two years later, the Countess passed away, and Lucy secretly smiled at her funeral.
Finally, she was free. At twenty-two, she thought life would return to its rightful place.
She would reclaim her dignity as mistress of the Garnet estate and restore the Beria name.
But one rainy afternoon, everything shattered.
Lucy was waiting for Theodore to return from the palace when a maid announced a guest.
“Who is it?”
“Lady Mielle of House Leatis.”
“Mielle? Really? Let her in at once!”
Lucy’s face brightened.
Mielle Leatis had been her dearest friend since childhood, the beloved youngest daughter of a famous knight
commander’s family.
“Mielle!”
“It’s been so long, Lucy. You’ve… changed. A little worn, perhaps.”
“Well, we haven’t seen each other since my wedding. Two years is a long time.”
They laughed, but Mielle’s next words stunned Lucy.
“Lucy, I’m pregnant.”
“What…?”
“Not even two months yet, but yes. I’m expecting.”
Lucy blinked. “But I haven’t heard a word of your engagement! Surely the whole Empire would have celebrated such a match.”
Mielle smiled thinly. “That’s why I came to you. I wanted to explain first. Because… the man already has a wife.”
Lucy froze. “You mean—you’re his mistress?”
“I hate it too, but it’s true. I can’t let this continue. I’m going to confront his wife. Tell her to step aside.”
Lucy frowned. “That’s wrong, Mielle. You can’t—”
“Why not? He loves me. I’m carrying his child. Why should I be the one to give up?”
Lucy’s heart pounded. She could swear Mielle had just said “you”.
Before she could ask, Theodore returned home.
And in front of Lucy, Mielle slipped her arm through his and smiled.
“Lucy, meet the father of my child. The man I love.”
“…What?”
“Stop clinging to him. Divorce him. He’s mine now.”
The room spun. Lucy collapsed into her chair, stunned beyond words.
Her closest friend… carrying her husband’s child.
Her husband… betraying her all along.
Theodore dragged her into the bedroom to avoid a scene. “Don’t listen to her. I’m not divorcing you.”
“What?” Lucy laughed bitterly. “After betraying me with my best friend for over a year, you say that?”
“It’s your fault too! If you’d given me an heir, this wouldn’t have happened!”
Lucy’s anger boiled over. “I couldn’t bear a child because of your mother’s torment! And you dare blame me?”
“I had no choice. I’m the heir. I must secure the family line, just like my father did!”
“And that gave you the right to do this with her?”
Theodore tried to justify himself, talking about responsibilities, titles, and heirs.
He even had the gall to suggest Lucy simply wait it out while Mielle had the child—then resume her place as his wife later.
That was the final straw.
Tears streaming, Lucy grabbed a vase and smashed it against Theodore’s head.
And just like that, she was divorced. Or rather—discarded.
Theodore’s adultery was buried, and society branded Lucy as a violent, disgraceful woman.
“They say she tried to kill her husband with a vase!”
“She couldn’t give him an heir, so of course he had to take a mistress. That’s natural for a noble house.”
“Such a vulgar, jealous woman. No wonder he left her.”
Rumors spread like wildfire.
Alone again, Lucy was left with nothing but unpaid debts, heartbreak, and the foul reputation of being “the violent wife.”
Her life seemed ruined.
Until, a year later—everything changed.
