Chapter 2

I headed upstairs. Gavin had already gone to bed.

Like his father, Gavin had a strict schedule and never wasted a second for anyone.

Especially not for me, the mother he didn’t like.

From the day my father died in a car accident after saving Mr. Monroe, I became trapped in the Monroe family.

On that very day, Mr. Monroe held my hand and declared that I was to be their future daughter-in-law, and I lost my identity completely.

At that time, I was grieving my father’s death, trapped in a fog of despair.

I had stopped speaking, incapable of uttering a word.

Mrs. Monroe stormed into my house, dragged me out, and forced me into a series of etiquette lessons.

She looked down at me and said, “You have one month to start speaking again. The Monroe family doesn’t need a mute woman as its mistress.”

I tried to resist, but Mr. Monroe’s public announcement made my fate clear. I was trapped.

I was brainwashed.

By the time I was released, Mrs. Monroe asked me what my duty was.

I responded automatically, “To be the perfect daughter-in-law of the Monroe family.”

From the age of 16 to 21, I transformed from a helpless girl into a poised woman, admired by high society in Manhattan.

At 22, I married Elijah under the watchful eyes of everyone.

Four years later, I gave birth to Gavin.

My life became focused on managing the household and raising Gavin. Attending galas with Elijah was my full-time role.

The most frequent sight I saw was the small garden at the Monroe Family Estate, where I planted many flowers.

Elijah ripped them out with his own hands because the person in his heart was allergic to pollen.