Verity's POV
My parents were brutally murdered and dismembered at home. At the time, our company was on the verge of going bankrupt.
I begged my fiancé for help, but he turned his back on me—and went on to marry Sylvie Gaines in a so-called “wedding of the century.”
Just when I was drowning in despair, his older brother, a police officer, proposed to me right there at the funeral.
He promised to be my rock for life and vowed to uncover the truth behind my parents’ murder case.
I said yes without hesitation.
But in the end, the case went cold.
Consumed by grief, Monty Griffith took care of all the funeral arrangements himself and brought me back to live with the Griffiths.
For five years after we got married, everything seemed fine—until one day, I accidentally overheard a conversation between him and Detective Bishop, his close friend from the police department.
“Monty, Sylvie was clearly the only suspect in the Raleighs’ murder case. Why’d you drop the investigation? Doesn’t your job mean anything to you? You’ve let Verity live under the same roof as the murderer for five years—what if she finds out?”
“Sylvie’s innocent. She just happened to be at the Raleighs’ villa that day. What happened to the Raleigh couple had nothing to do with her. I believe in her.”
“I might’ve failed my badge, but I stayed true to my heart. Even if Sylvie didn’t choose me, I’d still do anything to keep her happy.”
The pregnancy report in my hand suddenly felt scorching hot.
‘So the murderer has been right beside me this whole time!’
‘And the man I love with all my heart—my husband—has been covering for her? For five years?!’
That marriage? Not worth it!
——
Just on the other side of the door, I heard Monty staring at a photo of us on the wall, his voice full of sorrow and unspoken regret.
“Since Sylvie didn’t choose me, the least I can do is clear the path for her. Make sure she has no worries. As for Verity… I’ll keep an eye on her. I won’t let her find out the truth.”
His buddy looked heartbroken, unable to hide his disappointment.
“You’ve been working on that case for eight years. You’ve got more awards than I can count. Why throw it all away for Sylvie? She doesn’t even love you! There’s no way her showing up at the Raleighs’ villa was just a coincidence!
“If this comes out, you won’t just lose your job—you’ll ruin your entire reputation. You could even end up in jail. Dude! Are you crazy?”
Monty chuckled like he didn’t care.
“Crazy? Maybe. Love doesn’t follow logic. That case is over. Don’t bring it up again.”
“What about Verity? You brought her into your home, made her live with her parents’ murderer. Didn’t you think about what that would do to her? She loves you—”
Before he could finish, Monty’s voice turned cold.
“Enough. I told you, Sylvie is not the murderer. If someone has to take the blame, I’ll die for her if I have to.”
“I just don’t get you. You had motive and evidence. You had everything. And yet… Ugh! Whatever, man. If you think this is fine, then go ahead.”
Next thing I heard were footsteps approaching, and I rushed back to my room in a panic.
All those haunting memories of my parents’ deaths came rushing back.
I also remember the company crumbling right after.
It was Monty who saved me. Paid off all the debt. Took me in. Married me.
I thought I’d found real love. God, I was so lost in happiness!
But I didn’t realize—everything was a carefully crafted fucking lie!
Bringing me back was never about love. It was about keeping me under his watch. So he could monitor me. So he could protect Sylvie—that murderer!
This marriage was nothing but guilt disguised as love.
And I… I took his pitiful charity and flaunted it like it was the happiest thing in the world!
‘Absolutely pathetic!’
Just then, I heard the door shut. His buddy must’ve left.
