Chapter 3

Rachel's steps slowed, and she couldn't help but glance back.

Abigail's face turned bright red as she quickly scanned the room, then whispered, "Stop it, why are you saying that in front of everyone?"

Kevin leaned over her chair, chuckling softly, "We're a couple, what's the big deal?"

Abigail didn't respond, just buried her head into his arm.

They looked like a perfect match, so in love.

Ralph scoffed, "It's one thing to have a different girlfriend every day, but don't end up with an illegitimate child and embarrass our family."

Abigail stood up to defend him, "That won't happen. Kevin has always taken good care of me, don't worry."

Taken care of?

Only a fool who hadn't seen the world would believe that.

Ralph turned away disdainfully, while Isaac spoke calmly, "Alright, everyone, enough. Kevin, you should be more careful and not mess around all the time."

Kevin didn't respond, just lowered his head and played with a strand of Abigail's hair.

Isaac sighed, feeling helpless about Kevin, his youngest son. He coughed lightly and patted Rachel's hand, signaling her to help him upstairs.

Even though he was over sixty and well-maintained, his skin was still marked with age spots, and the cool touch felt like a slippery snake, making Rachel shiver inside.

She suppressed her disgust and helped him back to his room without changing her expression.

Behind her, Abigail's voice was coy, "I didn't bring a lot of my stuff. How about you come with me to buy some?"

Kevin's voice followed, "It's too cold outside. I don't want you to catch a chill. Just have the servants bring whatever you need."

"I'm not that delicate. Let's just go buy it."

Their voices were low, but they pierced Rachel's ears, turning into blades that cut at her nerves.

She lowered her eyes and escorted Isaac to his room.

"You should sleep here tonight," he said suddenly as he reached the bed.

Rachel felt a wave of nausea but kept a caring expression. "I think I'll sleep in the guest room for now. Ralph and Kevin haven't accepted me yet, and I don't want to upset them."

"Besides, I don't want to disturb your sleep."

Isaac didn't respond immediately. In the silence, Rachel's breathing grew heavy, and her hands clenched into fists.

After a long pause, Isaac finally smiled, "Alright, as you wish."

He added sincerely, "You saved my life and are now my wife. You don't need to be so cautious at home. I may not be able to give you love, but I will protect you."

Rachel's eyes reddened, and she replied hoarsely, "I understand. Thank you."

Isaac sighed, "You're still too careful. Go rest now."

Rachel wiped away her tears and softly said goodnight.

As she left the room and the door closed, the smile on Rachel's face vanished, replaced by a surge of hatred in her eyes.

Four years ago, Rachel's father, the mayor, was suddenly accused of bribery.

The irrefutable evidence left him no chance to fight back. Three days after his arrest, news came that he had died in an accident, and her mother, unable to bear the shock, died of a heart attack.

In an instant, their family of four was reduced to just Rachel and her older brother.

Rachel, unaware of the situation, happily returned home from school, only to be tricked by her uncle and sold to a red-light district.

Fortunately, her brother arrived in time. Though he couldn't take her away, he used his remaining connections to protect her innocence.

Rachel stayed in the red-light district, using her brother's connections to build her own power and investigate the past.

She eventually discovered that Isaac was involved in her father's downfall.

Rachel spent six months planning and finally got the chance to save Isaac during an assassination attempt, taking a knife to her back. She was in the ICU for three days and nights, barely surviving.

After the surgery, when Isaac asked what reward she wanted, she requested to leave the red-light district and live a clean life.

Isaac agreed, giving her the title of the Smith family's matriarch and taking her away.

Men were always lustful, and Isaac was no exception, but his body was no longer functional, leaving him impotent.

As a result, he never officially married Rachel.

Lost in thought, Rachel returned to the living room for a drink and found Kevin and Abigail still there.

Kevin's lips curled into a sneer when he saw her, "Out so soon? Didn't even manage to please the old man, did you?"

Rachel felt a stab of pain but kept her face expressionless as she took a bottle of water from the fridge. "If you're curious, you can come watch next time."

Kevin's face fell, his gaze burning with anger.

Sensing the tension, Abigail quickly intervened, "Kevin, don't be so harsh on your stepmom. She works hard taking care of your father."

The words "stepmom" and "works hard" felt like invisible slaps to Rachel's face.

She gripped the bottle tightly, watching as Kevin's sharp features softened when he turned to Abigail, "You're right."

After that, he didn't trouble Rachel anymore.

She should have felt relieved, but seeing how Kevin, who once indulged her in every way, listened to another woman, Rachel felt like she was drowning, unable to breathe.

Rachel returned to her room, tossing and turning until she finally fell asleep late at night.

But her sleep was restless, filled with dreams of her college days when she and Kevin were closest.

They had been together for six months, and curiosity led them to explore sex. Kevin became increasingly attached, attending her classes, picking her up, and even sending her dozens of messages while working.

[Hey babe, what are you up to?]

[I just made fifty bucks. I'll bring you a cake tonight.]

[Babe, I miss you.]

He was incessant, and after work, his pockets were always filled with candies, donuts, sandwiches—anything he saw on the way.

But Rachel never got to eat them warm.

Because as soon as Kevin got home, he would eagerly pull her to bed. "Babe, my little me missed you, too."

Rachel could never resist his affection, half-heartedly letting him lead her to bed, where his kisses would cover her lips, her neck... and his hands would always skillfully find their way to her most sensitive spot.

Desire was easily ignited, and Rachel moaned softly, waking up with a start.

Before she could react, she realized the person nuzzling her chest was Kevin!