Chapter 1

My husband's first love encouraged her son to bully my daughter.

Watching my daughter cry uncontrollably broke my heart. I slapped them both hard.

When my husband arrived, his first love twisted the truth, claiming that my daughter and I were the bullies and started the fight.

Without listening to our side, my husband locked us in a strict etiquette class, insisting we learn how to behave like ladies.

Six months later, my husband came to take me home.

I served tea, spoke softly, and kept my head lowered, avoiding eye contact with everyone.

People remarked that the etiquette class had worked wonders and that I now carried myself like a lady, a stark contrast to my previously assertive self.

Until I knelt and said, "I am the most dignified here. Would any of you gentlemen like a taste?"

My husband slapped me in anger, "Adeline, didn't I send you here to learn manners? I did this for your own good! Are you trying to spite me?"

"Are you putting on this degrading act to disgust me?"

I laughed emptily, "Isn't it because the gentleman likes me to be well-mannered and cultured, turning me into this?"

My husband shoved me hard, "Where's our daughter?"

I stared blankly, "Daughter? She's been gone for a long time..."

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