Chapter 1

On the night Dominic Stone's love curse flares up again, he secretly brings back his childhood sweetheart, Nina Lowe, whom he has been hiding away in Jenton. They end up spending seven days and seven nights together.

Unlike in my previous life, I don't storm in like a madwoman. Instead, I quietly give up my chambers and even thoughtfully prepare a welcome banquet for Nina.

At the banquet, I even have my son, Devin Stone, call her "Mother".

Everyone is stunned by how much I've changed.

I simply smile, then personally hand Dominic a glass of wine. "You should spend the next few days keeping Nina company. After all, it's been so long since you last saw each other. The wine…"

Before I can finish talking, he drags me out.

"What are you up to? I've already talked to Nina. We'll try to get rid of the love curse and treat each other like siblings from now on. Why are you bringing this up again?"

I heard these exact words in my previous life, and I believed them wholeheartedly.

But later, I miscarried our second child, and Nina immediately became pregnant.

I demanded an explanation from him, only for my family to be thrown into prison.

On the day I desperately begged for help, Dominic and Devin were accompanying Nina as she prayed for the child in her womb.

On the day my family was executed, the two of them were by her side, waiting for her to give birth.

I pleaded for mercy, kneeling in the snow. In the end, I froze to death outside our manor.

The memory of that bone-chilling cold still makes me shudder. I force the wine into Dominic's hands. "General Stone, don't say that. This is an excellent wine. You should give it a try."

Chapter 1

"General Stone?" Dominic Stone was taken aback by the unfamiliar address and let out a sigh. "I've told you repeatedly that my involvement with Nina was a result of the love curse. It was never my intention. It's been three years. Aren't you done being upset yet?"

I had already exhausted all my anger in my previous life. Now, I no longer had the energy to be upset.

I told him, "General Stone, you're overthinking this. Please return to the banquet."

Exasperated, Dominic reached out to take my hand, while I instinctively took a step back.

His face immediately darkened, and his hand, frozen in mid-air, clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked. "You won't even let me touch you, yet you claim you aren't angry?"

I looked at him, realizing that my reaction had been too obvious.

In my previous life, Nina Lowe was poisoned after drinking tea at my place. When I grabbed Dominic's hand, wanting to explain, he shook me off with disgust written all over his face.

"Don't touch me! How could you stoop so low? You disgust me."

His words were etched deep in my heart, and I could still remember them vividly.

Back to the present, Dominic scooped me up before I could react. "Are you jealous? I'll take you…"

I pushed him away. "No need."

Dominic grabbed my wrist. He was about to speak when he realized the wound on my wrist. A thick layer of scab covered the area, surrounded by a patch of dark, bruised skin. His eyes instantly turned bloodshot. "Your mark… Why is it gone?"

Dominic extended his right hand, and right in the center of his wrist was a red mark.

When we first got married, we traveled to Berton. Many people there had similar red marks on their wrists, so Dominic asked them about it out of curiosity.

An elderly woman explained the custom to us. "Monogamy is the norm here. Couples place a red mark at the center of their wrists as a symbol of their lifelong loyalty to each other."

Dominic was excited to hear about this. "Shall we do this too? I'll be loyal to you forever, Jemima."

But later, that vow lost its meaning.

Dominic allowed himself to be captured during the war, only to run into Nina—a military physician who had truly been taken prisoner. Then they worked together to help our army achieve a resounding victory.

From that time onward, he mentioned Nina's name in every single letter he wrote me.

"Nina is both smart and courageous. She actually shielded me during an attack. I look at her in a whole new light now. That girl who used to hide behind me has really grown up."

"Nina is going back to Eldon too, so we decided to travel together. Jemima, remember to meet me at the city gate."

I went there on the day he returned. The people lined the streets to welcome him, and I was overflowing with joy too.

But the moment I saw them, I could no longer smile.

Dominic was leading his prized warhorse by the reins, while Nina sat in the saddle. He had always treasured that horse, refusing to even let me touch it.

Just as I was lost in thought, he spotted me and pulled me from the crowd into his embrace. "I finally get to see you again, Jemima."

His hug was warm, his grip was tight, and it somehow alleviated my unease.

However, after returning to the manor, I realized Dominic had forgotten to bring back the pastries I asked for, and the protective charm he found for me was now hanging around Nina's neck. Moreover, he barely exchanged a few words with me before taking Nina to revisit their old memories, returning only the next morning.

And it was also that night that the two of them accidentally triggered the love curse, beginning a three-year entanglement between them.

Those memories haunted me like a nightmare, tormenting me over and over again.

When I was reborn, I felt sickened by the red mark, so I carved it away with a dagger. With it gone, my feelings for Dominic vanished too.

"Speak! Where's your mark?"

I didn't answer him.

Dominic sneered. "How long are you going to keep this up? Are you going to threaten me with divorce next?"

Last time, Nina left only because I threatened him with divorce. But this time, it was my own choice. I had already used the token granted by the Queen Mother to obtain a divorce decree, and the royal decree would arrive in three days.

This time, I would let the two of them have each other.

Chapter 2

"I really thought you'd changed for the better. But now I see you're still the same. What game are you trying to play here?" My son, Devin Stone, walked over, looking at me with dismay.

Nina gently patted his back. "You can't talk to your mother that way. Apologize now."

Devin pursed his lips in dissatisfaction, yet still said reluctantly, "I'm sorry, Mother."

A bitter feeling washed over me upon seeing his reaction. Devin hadn't always been this way.

In the past, he would affectionately clasp my hands or lie on my lap, asking me to tell him stories. Before going to sleep, he would catch a strand of my hair between his fingers.

Once, I asked him why he always did these things.

Devin chuckled. "That way, I know you're always by my side."

He still kept his habit to this day. No matter how angry we got with each other, we would always make up before bedtime.

As expected, Devin said, "Father has to accompany Nina today. Mother, let's go to bed now. I want…"

Before he could finish, I used a dagger to cut off a lock of my hair.

"Jemima!"

"Mother!"

Father and son cried out in unison.

I handed my hair over. "Here. Take it. You're a big boy now. From now on, we'll be sleeping in separate rooms."

Devin's eyes reddened. "Mother…" That was all he could manage before bursting into tears.

Seeing this, Nina moved to comfort him. But in the very next moment, she dropped to her knees before me. "Jemima, please don't be upset with Dominic and Devin. They truly care about you. I will resolve the love curse immediately and then leave. I will never disturb you again."

The first time the love curse flared up, I witnessed the two of them together with my own eyes.

Nina also pleaded with me this way, while Dominic completely broke down, begging for forgiveness.

"I… I don't know what happened. Jemima, please forgive me. I…" He kept apologizing, even offering to let me hit him.

I was just about to say something when Nina threatened to harm herself.

Dominic rushed over almost instantly, scooped her up, and walked away.

To this day, I still remember how resolute he was when he left, and the memory weighed on me, tormenting me every day.

I didn't deliberately make a scene. I was the one who had been betrayed.

…

Dominic stared at me, anger flashing in his eyes. "Are you happy now? It's fine if you're angry with me. Why make such a scene before Devin and why let out your frustration on Nina?"

Devin, crying, also ran over to Nina. "Nina, stand up…

"Fine! Let's sleep in separate rooms. That suits me just fine. I hate sleeping with you anyway."

With that, he swatted the hair out of my palm. As the strands fell to the floor, he stomped on them hard.

As I gazed at the hair, my composure suddenly returned. In my past life, being stuck in this endless cycle of entanglement had culminated in the death of my child and the tragic demise of my family.

This time, I would not let my emotions push me into repeating the same disastrous fate.

My eyes were cold when I spoke again. "Okay. If there's nothing else, I'll leave now."

"Stop!" Dominic glared at me. It was as if he were trying to determine why I had suddenly become a different person. In the end, though, he just pulled Nina into his embrace. "Apologize to her."

That was when I felt a sudden jolt of pain in my stomach. My baby seemed to be reminding me not to keep up this farce with them. I patted my stomach, then knelt and said somberly, "I'm sorry."

Dominic was stunned, acting as if he had been seared by my words. "You…"

His Adam's apple bobbed, and the anger in his eyes didn't subside. Instead, it burned even more fiercely. "Jemima, you would rather die than yield in the past. Yet now, you're kneeling so readily? Since you're acting like a virtuous wife, then from this day forth, you shall tend to Nina's meals and nurse her back to health so that she can conceive my child!"

Chapter 3

I spent the whole next day in the kitchen, not even having time to rest.

I had just finished making dinner when Dominic barged in, grabbing my collar. "Jemima, I thought you were merely acting out of spite. I didn't know you would be so cruel! How dare you poison Nina's food? You're completely out of line!"

Realization dawned on me immediately. Dominic believed whatever Nina said, just as in my past life.

When she claimed I had nearly caused her to miscarry, Dominic had my entire family thrown in prison. When she wanted to become his wife, Dominic used my family's lives as leverage to threaten me.

I felt a pang in my heart, and I fought to conceal it.

"Emma was with me the entire time. How could I possibly do that without her knowing?"

The housekeeper, Emma Dunn, moved forward. "General Stone, Mrs. Stone's behavior was indeed a little suspicious. But I simply can't believe she would poison her. General Stone, please have her searched."

Dominic nodded, and Emma immediately patted me down.

A packet of powder dropped from my sleeve, and Emma grabbed it, her voice turning shrill. "What is this?"

Dominic stared at the packet. The disdain in his eyes gave way to a deeper rage. "Jemima, how are you going to explain this?"

I stared at the so‑called evidence and let out a bitter laugh. He trusted me so little that he didn’t even check before pointing the finger.

I breathed, "It slipped out of her sleeve. It's obvious she was acting under someone's orders. You…"

Disappointment was evident on Dominic's face. "Someone's orders? Are you implying that Nina is behind this?"

Just then, Nina walked in, supported by two maids. Despite looking near death herself, she still knelt and begged for mercy on my behalf. "I trust Jemima. Dominic, you should investigate other people."

The moment her words landed, she coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Dominic immediately swept her up and snarled at me. "Even now, she's still protecting you. As the lady of the household, how can you be so petty? Guards, lock her up in the dungeon so she can reflect on her mistake!"

I retreated instinctively, slamming my back against the pillar. "No! I'm not going there! Dominic, you know I'm afraid of the dark!"

We first met when he rescued me from a burning building. Ever since then, I had been haunted by a fear of darkness and fire—something he was well aware of.

The mere thought of that pitch-black place made me tremble uncontrollably. I begged, "Please… I know I was wrong. I'll apologize to her, but I really didn't poison her!"

But Dominic remained unfazed.

The guards tried to drag me away, and I immediately fell to my knees. "Please don't imprison me there! Dominic, I'm preg…"

Dominic kicked me aside and hurried away with Nina in his arms, not even bothering to let me finish my sentence.

I felt a sharp jolt of pain in my stomach that sent cold sweats down my back.

When I came to, I was already in the dungeon. Every sound around me was amplified, and memories of the past nearly sent me into a breakdown.

"No… Let me out, Dominic! I was wrong… I know I was wrong!" I repeated this over and over, still hoping that—just like last time—he would rush in, pull me into his arms, and tell me not to be afraid.

But after a long wait, Nina appeared, carrying a torch.

I instinctively backed away from the flames, but Nina only smiled, her gaze fixed on my belly. "Even though Dominic didn't hear just now, I did. You're pregnant, aren't you?"

I shielded my belly as Nina's smile grew more sinister. "I won't allow your baby to come into this world safely."

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps rang out from outside.

I had barely stood up when Nina suddenly slapped herself and collapsed to the ground. She said, "I just wanted to let you out. Why did you hit me, Jemima?"

"Nina!" Dominic ran over and helped her up.

Desperate for a chance to explain myself, I immediately stepped forward. "It's not what you think. She…"

Dominic shook me off, and I stumbled into the corner. I crouched on the ground; the ache in my lower abdomen left me unable to utter another word.

He lifted Nina into his arms and looked down at me. "You're still unrepentant! The dungeon is too dark and cold. Bring some firewood for Mrs. Stone to ward off the chill."

"No…" My voice was weak, and I soon passed out.

They were both gone by the time I came to. My throat was filled with thick smoke, which caused me to cough until tears ran down my cheeks. The sharp ache in my lower abdomen suddenly intensified, plunging me into sheer panic.

"I'll protect you. I promise…" Yet, blood kept flowing from beneath me, pooling on the floor.

I had no idea how much time had passed before the door to the dungeon opened. I staggered out, cradling my dead child in my arms. It wasn't until daylight broke that my senses gradually returned.

When I saw that my baby still hadn't survived this time, I broke down all over again. "I'm so sorry…"

I dug a grave and buried my child. I had just finished placing a small gravestone when Devin came rushing over.

"I knew you were behind this! Poisoning Nina wasn't enough, so you used witchcraft to harm her!"

Chapter 4

While I was still confused by what was happening, an exorcist rushed over with Dominic and a weakened Nina following closely behind.

The exorcist pointed to the mound behind me. "The evil entity is buried there. All we need to do is burn it in a raging fire, then whip Mrs. Stone 20 times to bring her back to her senses. Once Mrs. Stone drinks the holy water, Ms. Lowe will no longer be plagued by the evil entity!"

Dominic gestured to the people behind him. "Dig it up. I want to see what's buried there!"

"No!" I lunged forward, only for Dominic to haul me up. His hand closed around my throat, forcing me to lift my head.

"Why did you do this? You pretended not to care while shutting me and our son out. I thought you were just upset, so why did you target Nina? Not only did you poison her but also use witchcraft on her. You're so ruthless!"

I didn't bother responding to him. Instead, I pointed at the mound. "That's our baby! Our child! She's not an evil entity! Don't listen to that man… I didn't protect her in my previous life. Please let her rest in peace in this life! I'm begging you!" I slammed my head against the ground repeatedly, completely humbling myself.

Dominic was stunned, loosening his grip on me.

Nina broke into a violent coughing fit. "What child? Jemima, have you suffered a backlash from witchcraft, thinking that thing is your child?

"Dominic, I'm fine. Please save Jemima! If this goes on, she'll lose her mind!"

I shook my head vigorously. "Don't listen to her. There's no evil entity!"

Dominic sighed, massaging his temples. "What is this nonsense about past lives? Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?"

The exorcist cut in, "It's the backlash. We need to be quick."

Dominic urged, "Hurry up and dig it up!"

"No! That's your daughter! I didn't tell you I was pregnant. That's our child!"

Dominic remained unmoved.

The moment the small box was unearthed, I struggled forward. "No!"

Dominic restrained me, instructing, "Quick! Burn it!"

The guards immediately threw it into the fire. The moment the flames engulfed it, my body went limp, and I let the guards bind me to a cross.

The exorcist then brought out a thorned whip that was as thick as a thumb.

Devin tried to stop him. "Are you sure about this? What if Mother…"

"Devin, if we don't do this, Ms. Lowe will never be well again."

Hearing this, Devin fell silent.

When the first lash struck my body, I felt a numbness that was followed by a searing, fiery pain that left me dazed. When the second lash came, my consciousness began to fade. Even though I bit through my lip, I could not suppress the scream rising in my throat.

Each subsequent lash caused a crimson mist to swirl in the air. Blood slowly seeped through my clothes as the agony caused my vision to blur.

The final lash struck me squarely in the chest.

The exorcist walked over with a small bowl to collect my blood and mix it with water. Then he held it to my lips. "Mrs. Stone, please drink this, and your sins shall be cleansed."

Even though I was on the verge of passing out, I still gritted my teeth, refusing to obey him.

Seeing this, Dominic took the cup of holy water and commanded me, "Drink it. It'll clear your head. Then you won't go around cradling that thing as if it were your child. If you promise not to act up again, I'll have another child with you."

With my last ounce of strength, I spat out a mouthful of blood. "Dream… on. I want a divorce!"

Dominic smirked. "Our marriage was decreed by His Majesty. If we are to divorce, we'll need His Majesty's edict. You come from a family of merchants. Would you even be able to gain an audience with His Majesty?"

The moment he finished speaking, a number of palace guards hurried in.

The court chamberlain, Howard Sterling, glanced around, furrowing his brows. "You people sure are arrogant. The Queen Mother has arrived. Why is there no one there to receive her?"