Carys Marlowe sat in an extravagantly luxurious villa, dressed in a faded floral dress that had been washed so many times its colors had nearly disappeared.

Across from her, her biological mother, whom she had not seen in twenty years, was dressed in expensive clothing and holding her hand as she cried.

"Carys, you've suffered enough living in the countryside. If you marry into the Arledge Family, you'll be able to enjoy wealth and luxury."

A sharp pain stabbed through Carys's heart, and whatever longing she still had for a mother's love vanished completely.

Looking at Diana expressionlessly, she said, "I'm your biological daughter. Are you really asking me to marry in place of your stepdaughter Odessa? To bring good fortune to a man who's already become a comatose vegetable after a car accident?"

The Norwood Family wanted the wealth and status that came with the Arledge Family's marriage proposal, but they did not want Odessa to suffer.

So she was the scapegoat.

The one chosen to be sacrificed from the very beginning.

That was why Diana had finally brought her back from the countryside.

And here she had thought Diana had grown a conscience and wanted to be a good mother.

Diana cried pitifully and suddenly dropped to her knees.

"I don't have any other choice. I'm a second wife. A stepmother! I may look like a rich lady, but I have my own difficulties. I gave birth to you. Please help your mother this once. Marry in your stepsister's place!"

Carys took a deep breath, her eyes turning slightly red.

Back then, Diana had abandoned her while she was still an infant and married into the Norwood Family as a second wife. She had treasured her stepdaughter Odessa like the apple of her eye while completely ignoring her own biological daughter in the countryside for twenty years.

Carys had believed Diana brought her home because she finally remembered the daughter she had abandoned.

Instead, Diana only wanted to squeeze out the last bit of value she had left.

"Fine. I'll marry him."

She would consider it repayment for the gift of life.

Diana instantly smiled through her tears and hurriedly wiped them away.

"The Arledge Family has already prepared a wedding dress. Hurry and change into it."

Now that she had achieved her goal, she bustled around happily.

Carys shook off her hand. Her beautiful face was icy cold.

"This is the last time. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."

Diana froze for a moment before quickly acting as if nothing had happened and instructing the maids to help Carys change.

Standing there like a puppet while they dressed her, Carys's already attractive features became even more stunning.

Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced toward the staircase.

A graceful figure stood there.

Odessa.

Her stepsister was smiling smugly and silently mouthed:

"Poor little motherless orphan."

Carys lowered her hands to her sides and tightly gripped the suitcase she had brought from the countryside.

A maid reminded them, "Madam, the Arledge Family's car has arrived."

Diana immediately said, "Carys, don't keep them waiting. Leave that junk behind. Don't embarrass yourself by taking it to the Arledge Family."

She pushed Carys toward the door while trying to snatch away the suitcase.

Carys dodged her.

Losing her balance, Diana stumbled and nearly fell.

"These are my personal belongings. You have no right to touch them."

Carys's voice was cold and distant.

That suitcase was her livelihood.

She used it to heal and save lives.

Behind her, Odessa helped Diana up and said mockingly, "Looks like Carys isn't very willing. Making your own daughter marry in someone else's place... don't you think that's a little unfair to her?"

Diana quickly replied, "This is her blessing. Even if the second young master of the Arledge Family is a vegetable now, he's still far beyond her reach. How could she ever live such a good life in the countryside?"

At that moment, Carys gave up completely.

Bang!

She slammed the car door shut, cutting off their disgusting voices.

The car drove all the way to the Arledge estate as evening settled over the city.

The Arledge Family was one of New York's top elite families. The Norwood Family had been incredibly fortunate to secure this marriage alliance. The Arledge Family's direct bloodline was divided into the First Branch and the Second Branch.

The second young master, Evren Arledge, was exceptionally capable and considered the strongest candidate to become the next family head.

But one month ago, he had been involved in a car accident.

He fell into a coma and became a vegetable, practically receiving a death sentence from the hospital.

The most sought after young elite in New York had instantly become someone every socialite avoided.

Rumor had it that he had even lost his ability to have children.

How tragic.

Having exhausted every other option, the Second Branch of the Arledge Family had no choice but to place their hopes in the superstition of a marriage bringing good fortune.

Carys's vision was blocked by a red bridal veil.

A servant named India guided her into the villa, but the heavy veil made it difficult for her to even lift her head.

She was led into a spacious bedroom and seated at the edge of the bed.

India wrapped a half meter long red cord around Carys's right wrist several times. The other end was tied to the left wrist of the man lying on the bed.

"You must not remove it. It's tradition," India instructed. "If something goes wrong, you won't be able to bear the consequences."

Carys nodded slightly.

Her neck was already aching from the weight.

Seeing how obedient she was, India added, "You'll have to stay with the young master tonight. Call me if you need anything."

Then she left and closed the door behind her.

The enormous room became eerily quiet.

The only sounds were the steady beeping of medical equipment and the faint breathing of the unfamiliar man.

Carys carefully placed her suitcase beside her feet.

The faint medicinal fragrance drifting from it gave her some comfort.

As long as she had her suitcase, her acupuncture skills would always be her confidence.

Her body felt stiff and sore. She instinctively raised her slender hand and rubbed her neck, forgetting about the red cord tied to her wrist.

Suddenly, she was yanked forward.

She fell onto the bed.

Her veil flew off.

Her entire body landed on top of a warm male body, and her lips brushed against the man's cheek.

The man beneath her had pale skin and tightly closed eyes. His long curled eyelashes cast shadows across his face.

He was unbelievably handsome.

The bright red lipstick mark now stamped on his cheek, however, ruined his cold and distant image.

Her face flushed crimson.

She quickly sat up and frantically tried to wipe away the lipstick mark, but her hair had become hopelessly tangled around one of the buttons on his pajama shirt.

No matter what she did, she couldn't free herself.

"Ah!"

Carys cried out.

Her scalp burned painfully, tears gathering in her eyes.

The more she struggled, the tighter it became.

Her lips kept brushing against the man's thin lips again and again.

If anyone from the Arledge Family saw this, they would definitely think she was outrageously bold enough to seduce even a vegetable.

"Sorry. I had no other choice."

Looking at the unconscious man, she spoke softly.

Spreading her legs, she painfully straddled him and grabbed the collar of his pajama shirt with both hands.

Rip!

The cotton fabric tore open, and a button popped off.

Finally.

She was free.

Carys lowered her head.

The man lying in the hospital bed slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze was deep and cold, endless frost filling them as he looked directly at her.

The torn pajama shirt exposed his sexy Adam's apple and broad chest.

He looked thoroughly ravaged.

Carys froze in shock.

Still sitting on top of him, she instinctively squeezed her legs together.

"Mmm..."

A muffled groan escaped the man's lips.

The atmosphere turned icy.

Carys pressed a hand against her racing heart and cautiously shifted where she sat.

"Y... you're awake?"

The man's eyes remained open, but he neither moved nor made a sound.

Tentatively, Carys reached out and covered his eyes with her hand. His eyelashes brushed lightly against her palm.

Evren slowly closed his eyes.

She immediately rolled off him and sat at the bedside, drenched in cold sweat. Then she used her sleeve to carefully wipe away every trace of lipstick from his face before guiltily pulling the blanket up to cover him completely.

He still did not wake up.

Only then did Carys convince herself that she must have imagined it.

And that sound she heard earlier was probably just a hallucination from exhaustion.

She sat beside the bed for a long time.

The night deepened.

In the second half of the night, she covered her mouth and yawned repeatedly before eventually falling asleep.

That night, she once again dreamed of the chaotic events from many years ago.

She turned over in her sleep, completely missing the moment when the man opened his eyes again.

By morning, the room was bright.

Carys was awakened by a burst of commotion. She blinked groggily.

India stood beside the bed holding a basin.

"Young Madam, please help the Young Master wash up and wipe down his body."

"I have to do it?"

"Of course."

"Then who was doing it before? He's been unconscious for a month."

"The caregiver, naturally. But no outsider can compare to his own wife."

Her tone left no room for discussion.

Still dressed in her bright red wedding attire, Carys pursed her lips helplessly and accepted the towel from India. After wringing out the water, she gently wiped the man's handsome face.

His eyes remained closed.

Not even his eyelashes moved.

So last night's incident really had been an illusion.

Unable to ignore his striking features, Carys's cheeks turned bright red.

Standing beside her, India supervised as she carefully wiped his brows, eyes, lips, neck, and chest.

Inch by inch.

The towel passed over every part of him, her fingertips brushing along as well.

"The Young Master likes cleanliness. Make sure you do a thorough job. Afterward, you'll need to massage his entire body to prevent muscle atrophy. Taking care of him requires attention to detail."

India's sharp gaze made it impossible for Carys to cut corners.

She could only remind herself that Evren was simply another patient.

Just like those she had treated before.

Once she thought of it that way, her movements became much more professional.

India nodded in approval.

Holding his wrist, Carys carefully spread apart his fingers and wiped them one by one. Evren's hands were pale and elegant, with long fingers and distinct knuckles.

They were beautiful.

"Hm?"

The pulse beneath her fingertips beat with surprising strength.

Carys let out a puzzled sound.

"What's wrong?" India asked.

Carys shook her head.

India calmly glanced at her.

"You and the Young Master are legally married now. I've been through this myself. Be a little more natural."

She wrung out another towel and handed it over.

"There's still the lower half."

The lower half?

The redness on Carys's face spread like a blazing sunset.

He's a patient.

Just a patient.

Gideon had once told her that a great physician treats illness with a calm mind and a pure heart, free from desire or distraction.

She had to view every patient as nothing more than wood and stone.

Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly.

Clutching the towel, she cautiously slid her hand beneath the blanket and moved downward from the man's abdomen. Even through the thin fabric, she could feel the contours of firm muscle.

Dazed, she found herself thinking that this man's appearance and physique were truly exceptional.

Perfect for practicing acupuncture.

Suddenly—

A cool hand grabbed her wrist.

A faint but firm male voice sounded beside her ear, carrying a trace of annoyance.

"No need... no need... to wash below."

Crash!

The basin slipped from India's hands and crashed to the floor.

After standing frozen for a moment, she screamed and ran out of the room.

"Madam! The Young Master is awake!"

Evren...

Awake?

Carys's heartbeat sped up.

She stood and turned toward the man on the bed.

Those obsidian-like eyes held both coldness and embarrassment as they stared directly at her.

Still clutching the towel, her voice grew weaker.

"I... I was only following India's instructions and helping you wash up."

"Last night."

Evren's voice was hoarse.

His gaze remained cold.

Word by word, he accused her.

"You secretly kissed me. Many times."

Carys froze.

At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to find a wall and bang her head against it.

...

Chaotic footsteps echoed through the corridor.

The entire villa erupted into activity.

Soon, the bedroom was crowded with doctors in white coats, and everyone else was pushed outside.

Carys let out a slow breath and stood in a corner, staring at the closed bedroom door.

At last.

She no longer had to face Evren alone.

"Madam has arrived."

"Madam."

The crowd in the hallway parted.

A graceful woman dressed in a simple qipao approached.

She looked at Carys.

This was Evren's biological mother, Jane Arledge, the Second Madam of the Arledge Family.

Instinctively, Carys straightened her back.

She felt nervous.

"You're wonderful."

Jane grabbed her hands and said repeatedly,

"Evren waking up is entirely thanks to you."

Who would have thought desperate measures could actually work?

Removing the luxurious diamond bracelet from her wrist, Jane slipped it onto Carys's arm.

"Madam, this is far too valuable!"

"Enough, no more refusing."

Jane patted her hand.

"Consider it a gift from me."

Carys pressed her dry lips together and forced out a smile.

"Mrs. Arledge, I'm not really from the Norwood Family..."

"I know."

Jane's expression remained calm.

"Malcolm Norwood sent over a stepdaughter because he thinks our branch of the family has fallen from power. But a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. Evren still controls several major projects. He'll have his chance to rise again."

She paused before continuing.

"Regardless, from today onward, you are the only daughter-in-law I acknowledge."

Jane studied her beautiful face and found her increasingly pleasing.

"Our Evren will need your care. You're someone blessed with good fortune, so let him share some of that luck. His younger sister has gone to church to pray, and his father is busy cleaning up the mess. We'll have a proper family meal another day."

Seeing the sincerity in Jane's eyes, Carys felt her own eyes grow moist.

So not every mother in the world was selfish.

Back in the countryside, people called her a jinx.

A bringer of bad luck.

A lone star doomed to bring misfortune.

Her father had died, and her mother had run away with a wealthy man.

This was the first time anyone had ever called her fortunate.

Click.

The master bedroom door suddenly opened.

The lead doctor removed his stethoscope and mask.

"Evren's bodily functions are gradually recovering, and there appears to be no neurological damage. However, there are multiple areas of blood stagnation within the bone marrow of both legs, and he has no sensation whatsoever. Surgery would be extremely risky."

"Then there's no way to treat him?"

Jane asked in disbelief.

The doctor shook his head.

"His legs are permanently disabled. It will also affect his fertility."

His words were brutally direct.

"I'm sorry. Unless..."

He adjusted his glasses.

"Unless you can find Dr. Gideon Mercerrow. He has successfully treated similar cases before. But he's retired and disappeared years ago. No one knows where he is. The chances are extremely slim."

Mrs. Arledge's face fell.

Who in the world could possibly find the legendary physician Cheng Han?

A trace of confusion flashed through Carys's eyes.

But Evren's legs clearly...

She hesitated, wondering whether she should say something.

Just then, the phone hidden inside her inner pocket began to vibrate.

In a corner near the staircase, Carys looked at the name flashing on her phone screen and answered despite her disgust.

"Hello."

"Carys."

Diana's voice came through cautiously, sounding unusually gentle.

"I heard Evren woke up. Are his legs really crippled?"

The doctor had only just delivered the diagnosis, yet the Norwood Family already had insider information.

Diana did not ask how the Arledge Family was treating the substitute bride. She did not ask how Carys had spent her wedding night.

Instead, she was fishing for information.

Carys's heart grew even colder.

"If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

"Wait!"

Diana called out anxiously.

"Help Odessa! Evren has a major project in his hands, a collaboration between Aether Dynamics and Arledge Consortium. If you can persuade him to sign the Project Transfer Agreement, Odessa will be able to marry Tristan, the Arledge Family's eldest young master. Then the two of you can even be sisters-in-law."

Carys laughed in disbelief.

"What makes you think I can help? I have no status there."

Diana patiently coaxed her.

"The moment you married into the family, Evren woke up. The entire second branch is counting on you now. Besides, he's already a cripple. What's the use of holding onto that project? He might as well give it up and help Odessa and Tristan."

Greed flashed through Diana's eyes.

Once completed, that project would generate billions in profit.

It was the very project that had secured Evren's position within Arledge Consortium.

"I can't help you."

Carys moved to end the call.

Diana's voice suddenly turned sharp.

"That old woman from the countryside has already been brought to the Norwood Family! If you don't agree, you'll never see her again."

"Are you even human?!"

Carys shouted.

"That's my grandmother! Your mother-in-law!"

If her grandmother had not raised her all these years, she would have died long ago.

Her grandmother had lived a hard life, scrimping and saving to support her education. The years of labor had ruined her health.

No matter how hard Carys studied medicine under Gideon, she could not reverse a body that had already reached the end of its strength.

And now Diana had forced the elderly woman to travel such a long distance.

Who knew how much hardship and humiliation she had endured?

"Your father died years ago. That old woman and I aren't related by blood."

Diana's voice was cold and heartless.

Carys gripped her phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

Her fingers trembled.

Biting her lip, eyes red, she asked quietly,

"Am I still your daughter?"

Diana fell silent for a moment before speaking indifferently.

"I raised Odessa myself. She has a good family background, elegance, and talent. If you can marry Evren Arledge, then naturally she deserves someone even better."

"I don't care whether you steal or rob. You must make it happen."

"On the day you return to visit your family, I expect good news. Otherwise..."

Her voice grew even colder.

"At her age, anything could happen to that old woman."

Then Diana hung up.

A chill rose from the soles of Carys's feet and spread through her entire body.

Even breathing hurt.

The air felt like countless blades scraping her throat and lungs.

...

After a long while, footsteps sounded near the staircase.

"Young Madam, why are you hiding here?"

India had been searching everywhere for her.

Taking Carys by the arm, she hurried toward the master bedroom.

"The Young Master woke up and immediately asked for you."

Suppressing all her worries, Carys followed India inside.

The moment Mrs. Arledge saw her, she warmly pulled her to the bedside and said to the stern man lying there,

"This is Carys. Your wife. We arranged the marriage while you were unconscious."

Meeting Evren's icy gaze, Carys lowered her head awkwardly.

He must think she was some shameless woman with no self-control.

A storm seemed to brew behind his eyes.

His brows lowered, coldness radiating from him.

"Divorce."

His voice carried unmistakable authority.

Carys stared at him in surprise.

"No!"

Jane's voice rose immediately.

"Carys is your lucky star! What if you die after the divorce? Are you still thinking about that little vixen?"

"Mother."

Having only recently recovered, his voice remained low and hoarse.

"I'm awake, but I'm still a cripple. I've already lost my inheritance rights. Why drag someone else down with me?"

Mrs. Arledge's eyes reddened.

Covering her mouth, she sobbed.

"It'll get better. As long as we find that doctor! You still have resources left. You can make a comeback. Everything will be fine!"

"Then have you asked this lady whether she's willing to spend her life as a widow?"

As he spoke, Evren looked directly at Carys.

There was something deeper hidden in his gaze.

The memory of last night's embarrassing encounters instantly resurfaced.

Carys felt as though ants were crawling all over her body.

Did he really think she was that desperate?

Mrs. Arledge looked guilty and turned toward Carys.

"Carys, are you willing to stay with Evren? Our branch may have lost influence, but I still have substantial assets. You'll never have to worry about money."

Her eyes were full of hope.

Carys pressed her lips tightly together.

Her nails dug deeply into her palms.

Diana was using her grandmother as leverage and wanted Evren's project.

Yet that project seemed to be the second branch's only hope of recovering their position.

Should she really take that hope away?

But what about Grandma?

Her silence was interpreted differently by the mother and son.

To them, it meant unwillingness.

The man on the bed looked detached and composed, as though he had already reached a conclusion.

"We'll file for divorce tomorrow."

Carys suddenly came back to her senses.

Her soft voice rang out.

"I won't divorce you!"

Ignoring Evren's terrifying stare, she gathered her courage.

"I'm already married to you. I'm willing to remain a widow."

Mrs. Arledge immediately relaxed and smiled through her tears.

"Good child. I knew you were different from those women outside."

She turned toward India.

"Let's go. We shouldn't interrupt the young couple from building their relationship."

"Of course."

India nodded and threw Carys an encouraging look.

The two women left and shut the door behind them.

Carys stood beside the bed, lowering her head as she twisted her fingers together and licked her dry lips.

Evren's sharp gaze remained fixed on her.

After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"Carys, if you want money, I can give it to you. That little dowry my mother mentioned is tied up in the stock market. She lied to you."

Carys bit the inside of her cheek.

"I'm not after money."

Images from the previous night flashed through Evren's mind.

His chest rose and fell with frustration.

"Now that I'm awake, I won't tolerate you treating me the way you did last night."

His voice turned colder.

"And if you're talking about living as a widow, that means you won't be touching a single finger of mine."

After a brief pause, his expression darkened further.

"Not even for your own amusement."

Carys's face became so red it looked ready to bleed.

Was kissing and hugging really considered "amusement"?

"I wasn't..."

Her voice was soft and quiet.

"Besides, you can't do it anyway."

"What did you say?"

Evren asked.

Carys shook her head.

Releasing her clenched hands, she finally made up her mind.

Her bright eyes were clear and determined.

"I'm confident I can heal your legs."

"Heh."

A cold laugh escaped him.

From a favored genius to a cripple, his pride had been shattered.

And now this woman kept humiliating and teasing him.

Even someone with Evren's self-control had reached his limit.

"Get out."

Carys frowned stubbornly.

"I'm not lying."

"Do you even have a medical license? Have you successfully treated anyone? What proof do you have?"

Carys shook her head.

"No. But I've treated many people in the countryside. While I was helping you wash up, I examined your Shenting point. It's..."

"Get out!"

Now she was getting annoyed too.

Walking forward, she suddenly grabbed his blanket and yanked it away.

Then she pulled off his pajama pants.

His muscular, well-defined legs were instantly exposed to the air.

Fury flashed across Evren's face.

"Carys!"