Madeleine Riley stumbled out of the prison gates, her legs barely holding her up. The sun blazed overhead, forcing her to squint and raise a hand to shield her eyes. The scars etched across her skin told the story of a month-long nightmare—cruel cellmates who'd forced her to drink toilet water, who'd beaten and burned her with cigarettes. Every time she'd fought back, she'd paid for it: a broken hand, fresh wounds, more pain. But she'd survived. She was free now.

She'd held on for one reason—Nicholas Hawkins. Her fiancé. He'd convinced her to take the fall for him, promising a fairytale wedding and a real home waiting for her once she got out.

That dream of a home had kept her going. It was the only thing that had.

Madeleine waited from afternoon till dusk, watching the empty corner where his sports car should have appeared. Nicholas's phone went straight to voicemail. Probably buried in work, she told herself. He was a rising star in New York's business world—founder, mover, shaker, indispensable.

She swallowed the disappointment, flagged down a cab, and gave the driver Nicholas's suburban villa address. When she arrived, the house blazed with light and soft music drifted through the windows. A flicker of hope warmed her chest. Maybe he was throwing her a welcome-home surprise.

Clutching that hope, she pushed open the door and stepped into the living room. A servant spotted her, went pale, and glanced nervously toward the center of the room. "Miss Riley... why are you back?"

Madeleine followed the servant's gaze. There, under a grand crystal chandelier, sat Nicholas—surrounded by friends, lounging on the couch. He wore a dark, tailored suit, every inch the elegant, untouchable man she'd fallen for. Sharp features, commanding presence, keeping everyone at arm's length.

Her heart softened. She opened her mouth to call his name—

But a sharp voice cut through the noise.

"Nicholas, wasn't that little pet supposed to get out today?"

Little pet? Madeleine froze mid-stride, a wave of shame crashing over her.

Her mind reeled back. Madeleine had been missing for ten years when her mother, devastated by the loss, sank into depression. To help her recover, Madeleine's father had adopted Jacqueline Riley from an orphanage. When Madeleine finally came home at fourteen, she'd hoped to reconnect with her family. Instead, she found herself shut out.

Jacqueline's tears could erase Madeleine entirely. Her mother would say Jacqueline was the reason she was still alive. Her father would tell Madeleine that as the older sister, she should be generous. Somehow, her return and Jacqueline's unhappiness were always Madeleine's fault.

Nicholas was the only one who insisted otherwise. He told her it wasn't her fault—that the favoritism was on her parents. He promised to protect her. And he did.

Even at the prestigious academy, Madeleine couldn't escape it. Jacqueline spread rumors, turning everyone against her. One winter, she was pushed into a pool—she couldn't swim—and everyone just watched, laughing, as she floundered in her waterlogged clothes. She thought she'd drown.

Then Nicholas dove in. He cut through the freezing water, wrapped his arms around her, and whispered, "Don't be scared."

That was the moment her heart belonged to him.

But Nicholas never publicly acknowledged their engagement. From the outside, it looked like Madeleine was the desperate one—pining, unwanted, not good enough.

"Nicholas, aren't you picking up your little pet from prison today? She'd do anything for you. Now she's twenty-four with a criminal record..." Nicholas's face stayed stone-cold.

"I'm spending time with Jacqueline. Anyone who wants her can go fetch her," he said, waving a dismissive hand.

Another voice chimed in. "Nicholas only cares about Jacqueline. Why would he remember when that little pet got out? If it wasn't for some stupid bet to annoy Jacqueline, he wouldn't have touched her in the first place."

Madeleine's breath caught. Her mind went blank. They were saying Nicholas cared for Jacqueline—that he'd only toyed with Madeleine out of spite?

But it was Nicholas who'd chased her. Nicholas who'd confessed his feelings when she turned eighteen, who'd secretly watched over her. He'd said he wanted to keep things quiet, pretending indifference in public. Sure, it stung, but every time she thought about leaving, he'd pull her back with gentle words. She'd believed he truly cared—that discretion was just his way.

That belief had carried her through six years of hiding.

Madeleine's fingers curled into fists as she heard one more friend laugh. "Honestly, you'd think Nicholas might feel something for her after everything she's done."

And he didn't. Not a flicker.

Nicholas Hawkins spoke with a cold, detached calm, his words dripping with manipulation. "She offered," he said with a shrug. "Grandmother was won over by her. I made the bet to pressure Jacqueline too—to force Grandmother to see Madeleine for what she really is."

Hearing this, Madeleine Riley felt a chill run straight through her. Her nails bit into her palms as the ugly truth settled over her like a shroud. The sacrifice she thought she'd made had been nothing more than a bet. A month of hell, endured for nothing but a cruel joke.

In prison, she'd been beaten and bullied, but she never cried. Not once. But this—this harsh reality—shattered something inside her. It had all been a lie.

She remembered the day Nicholas held her close, whispering sweet reassurances while coaxing her to take the fall for him, insisting he couldn't risk his reputation as the Hawkins heir. He promised that once she was free, he'd tell everyone the truth, and they'd get married. They'd have a home of their own. But it was all a lie. Just a move in some twisted game with Jacqueline.

Tears streamed unchecked down her face as she turned to leave, unable to listen for another second. As she walked away, she heard laughter and a voice say, "Don't forget you owe Jacqueline a hundred bucks from that bet."

A hundred dollars. That's what she was worth to them.

Madeleine ran to a quiet spot by the road, finally letting her grief and humiliation swallow her whole as she let out a heart-wrenching sob. Her emotions, her suffering, the years of her life—all of it reduced to some childish wager.

When the tears finally stopped, she wiped her eyes and dialed a number. "Brother, I've made my decision. I'm ready to come back to London in a week."

"We support your decision, Madeleine," came a deep, steady voice on the other end. "No matter what, the Silva family is your home—married or not. We've always wanted you back."

Silent tears slipped down her cheeks again. After she went missing as a child, the Silvas in London had taken her in for years, until her biological parents found her. They treated her like their own daughter. When she left, Mrs. Silva nearly fainted from crying, and her elder brother had to fight back his own tears.

They had always urged her to come back, promising help whenever she needed it. But being close to such a prominent family always felt like taking advantage. Madeleine didn't want to seem opportunistic or ruin that relationship, so she kept her distance while staying in touch.

When the Rileys adopted another daughter, Mrs. Silva, worried about Madeleine, begged her to return. Madeleine refused—she didn't want to feel like a burden. Before her arrest, her brother mentioned an arranged marriage with another influential family in London. She turned it down, believing that only Nicholas could give her the home she wanted.

Now she saw how wrong she'd been.

Her voice cracked with emotion. "I understand. Thank you, brother."

"They've missed you, Madeleine. We're just relieved you want to come home," he said warmly.

She forced a smile, though it looked more like a grimace. Still, an unexpected sense of relief washed over her. The home she'd been searching for had been waiting for her all along—in London.

As for Nicholas… she wanted nothing to do with him.

Madeleine lowered her eyes, wiped the tears away, and booked a flight back to London for the following week. Then she took a cab to the Riley estate.

The house was buzzing when she walked into the foyer, decorated with balloons and twinkling lights. A massive bouquet of roses caught her eye in the living room. At the dining table, a cake with flickering candles set a warm, cozy scene.

From where she stood, she overheard Mrs. Riley exclaiming with pure joy as she and Jacqueline settled at the table. "Jacqueline, your father and I prepared this surprise for you. Today is your twenty-fourth birthday, and it also marks twenty years since you joined our family."

Madeleine's lips twisted into a bitter smile. She had gotten lost at four—the same year they adopted Jacqueline, as if they'd simply forgotten her.

They even gave Jacqueline her childhood nickname: "Pearl."

In the dining area, Jacqueline, wearing a charming Victorian-style dress, took her seat with a delighted smile. Nearby, John Riley and her brother watched fondly as she blew out the candles.

Watching this tight-knit family scene, Madeleine felt a wave of irony wash over her. Compared to them, she was the outsider.

Jacqueline spotted her and gasped softly. "Sister, when did you get out? You should have called us! We could've picked you up. You're just in time for my birthday celebration. Have you eaten?"

Only then did the rest of the family notice her.

John Riley gave her a brief glance and said flatly, "Might as well celebrate Madeleine's release too. Join us."

Jacqueline giggled. "Yes, join us, sister. Dad and Mom planned so many surprises today—and Nicholas even got me this bracelet."

Madeleine's gaze dropped to the bracelet on Jacqueline's wrist. It was the same one Nicholas had promised her before she went to prison. Now it rested on Jacqueline's arm.

Today was Madeleine's release day, but no one had come to meet her. Her own parents were celebrating Jacqueline instead. But today… was also her birthday.

Since being acknowledged by the Rileys, she and Jacqueline had shared the same birthday—yet only Jacqueline ever received gifts. Madeleine got nothing.

She had been patient, obedient, hoping for a scrap of their approval. But now, she was done holding back.

Just as John and Sarah Riley handed over the keys to a freshly staged house—along with a sleek black credit card—to Jacqueline Riley, Madeleine Riley settled into her seat and spoke up.

"Dad, Mom—when I came back to the Riley family, you promised to make up for the ten years I missed. You also said you'd give me the estate on the west side of town. Today's my birthday, and since you just handed Jacqueline a house, why not transfer the west-side property to me?" She looked around with a slight smile. "It's just a piece of land—surely that's not too much to ask?"

The Rileys blinked, caught flat-footed. It was the first time Madeleine had ever openly stood her ground. How petty, they thought. All these years, she'd never once seemed to measure up to Jacqueline.

John recovered quickly, frowning. "That property was always meant for Jacqueline. If something better comes along, I'll consider it for you."

Madeleine didn't flinch at his vague promise. "That land was originally a gift from Grandfather—meant for the Riley children. Jacqueline isn't blood, after all, while I'm your real daughter. If you don't pass it to me, Uncle might have something to say." She drew a slow breath, keeping her composure. "Surely you don't want people thinking you neglect your own daughter?"

Jacqueline blanched at the words "not blood." But what truly rattled her was the land itself—it was the most significant gift she'd ever receive from the Rileys. She'd already bragged about it, and half the wealthy young women in her circle were eating their hearts out with envy. If word got out that she'd overstated it, the humiliation would be brutal.

"Dad…" Jacqueline pleaded.

But Madeleine knew John valued his reputation too much to hand Uncle any ammunition, so she stayed calm. Sure enough, before Jacqueline could finish, John—reluctantly forcing a smile—cut her off. He turned to Madeleine. "Of course I love you. If you want it, I'll have the secretary transfer the land to you later."

"Alright," Madeleine replied lightly, lowering her gaze, though a hint of irony lingered in her eyes. She set down her fork, noticing their sudden lack of appetite. "I'm done. Take your time."

She was about to leave when her father called her back. John's expression darkened as he frowned. "I've decided to let Jacqueline stand in for you in the engagement to the Hawkins family. Jacqueline is also a daughter of the Riley family—you're the same. If we hadn't brought you back, this engagement would have been hers. You took it from her, and now it's time to return it."

Madeleine wasn't surprised at all. She'd seen this coming. Of course the Rileys would use her tarnished reputation as the perfect excuse to push Jacqueline into the marriage.

"But sister—haven't you always liked Nicholas?" Jacqueline feigned surprise, covering her mouth. "Besides, Nicholas and I are like siblings. How could I possibly marry him?"

Madeleine scoffed inwardly. Over the years, Jacqueline had called every man she met "sibling." From childhood, her free-spirited, boundary-less charm had a way of drawing in accomplished men—Nicholas being the most prominent of them all. The only reason Jacqueline was turning down this marriage now was because Nicholas's grandmother disapproved. If Nicholas ever won the old lady over, securing a proper engagement, Jacqueline wouldn't hesitate.

Madeleine pulled her hand back, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "Who says siblings can't get close—or get married?"

Seeing Jacqueline's face pale slightly, she glanced at her father. "Regarding the engagement, as long as the Hawkins family agrees, I have no objection to switching."

With that, she was done dealing with both of them. She left without another word.

Back in her room, Madeleine opened her laptop. She'd been offline for a month, and the moment she logged in, messages flooded the screen one after another:

[Dear wife, I've missed you ever since you left on your business trip…]

[Fifth day, I miss you…]

[Once you're back, let's get married.]

…

There were 99 messages in total.

All of them from Nicholas Hawkins.

While she'd been in solitary reflection, he was playing the role of a devoted lover online. Had she not stumbled onto the truth by accident, she might've been swept away by all the emotion.

Madeleine coolly replied with a single message: "I'm back."

The next instant, Nicholas's video call came through. The moment she answered, his voice poured out: "I missed you so much, Madeleine."

She stayed silent. Even now, she couldn't tell whether Nicholas's affection was genuine, or if he'd unknowingly convinced himself he had feelings for her.

Publicly aloof, privately tender.

In private, he went to great lengths to win her over. Every time he'd sneak up behind her, calling her "wife" in that soft voice, it melted the cold shell around her heart, drawing her in.

"Madeleine, did you miss me?"