Chapter 1
Kate stood frozen, her eyes scanning the crumpled document in her trembling hands.
"Legally Binding.""Marriage Clause.""Marriage Act."
The color drained from her face.Within seconds, everything became clear.
Now she understood why Raymond always avoided every conversation about marriage.
"No... no... no..." she whispered, her breathing becoming uneven as she paced the room.
She reread the document again and again, hoping the words would somehow change.They didn't.Click.The sound of the doorknob turning made her spin around.
There he stood.
Raymond Smith.
Tall, handsome, and wearing the same warm smile that had once convinced her he was the greatest blessing in her life.
"Ray..." she whispered, her voice breaking as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Wait... Kate... I can explain."
The moment Raymond realized his secret had been exposed, he knew there was no point pretending anymore.
"Kate... this wasn't my decision. It was my father's doing. I couldn't tell you... Please... just let me explain."
"Slap!Slap!"Shut up, Raymond!"
Kate's voice exploded with years of trust collapsing in an instant. She struck him twice across the face.
He didn't fight back. "Kate... please..." He tried to plead but he was cut off sharply.
"You're despicable."
"Kate..."
"Fine. You want to explain? Then answer me."
She raised the document.
"Is this what you called a sponsorship contract?"
Silence.
"You still won't speak?" Her voice cracked with anger.
"Tell me how a marriage contract became a sponsorship agreement in your eyes!"
Slap!
Another sharp slap echoed through the room.Tears rolled down Raymond's face as he remained motionless.
Kate began pounding against his chest with both fists.
"You lied to me!"
"You deceived me!"
"You made me trust you!"
Fnally, Raymond spoke.
"You're my wife, Kate."
His voice was barely above a whisper."I'm sorry... but that's the truth."
The word wife struck her harder than any slap.It echoed endlessly in her mind.Wife...This was everything she had once dreamed of.Marriage.
A future with the man she loved.Yet instead of joy, all she felt was betrayal.
How could the same dream become her greatest nightmare?Her mind drifted back to where it had all begun...
The First Meeting
The Smith Mansion buzzed with excitement.
Every servant hurried from one corner of the estate to another, making final preparations for the arrival of Raymond Smith; the long-awaited heir of the Smith family.
He had been away for so many years that news of his return spread through the mansion like wildfire.For the maids, it was one of the busiest days they had ever experienced.
Among them was Kate, the youngest.An orphan adopted by Mr. Smith years ago, she had grown up serving in the mansion.
To her, every task was an opportunity to repay the kindness that had saved her from life on the streets.
"He's here!" someone shouted.A convoy of luxurious cars rolled through the grand gates of the Smith estate.
The servants quickly lined up to welcome the young master.A fellow maid leaned toward Kate and whispered,"Remember, Kate... this is your chance to make a good impression."
Kate took a deep breath, straightened her apron, and lifted her eyes toward the young man stepping out of the car...She had no idea that the moment their eyes met, her destiny would change forever.
