Chapter 2

Thinking of that man, her eyes filled with tears in an instant.
Who could have imagined that the one she had always tried to avoid-had even betrayed-would turn out to be the only person who truly cared for her?
She’d been afraid of him, run from him, even sold him out. She’d watched as the once untouchable Mr. Lancaster fell from grace. And in the end, he was the one who gave his life to save hers.
Anastasia fought back the rising tide of grief.
In her previous life, on this very day, she’d let her stepsister Penelope convince her to elope with Aaron.
Now, glancing up at the rearview mirror, she met Martin’s startled gaze, her eyes red-rimmed and fierce.
She knew-Martin was one of Penelope’s people.
Martin, clearly unnerved, stammered, “Alright-alright, I get it!”
Her phone buzzed. Anastasia picked it up.
[Penelope: Anastasia, don’t worry about leaving with Mr. Lancaster. I’ll take care of the rest for you!]
A flash of cold hatred crossed her eyes. Without hesitation, she shut off the phone.
The closer the car drew to Rosewood Manor, the more turbulent her thoughts became.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the gates.
Upstairs in the manor, a tall figure sat in a wheelchair, his piercing gaze fixed on the car as it rolled to a stop below.
“Mr. Lancaster, Ms. Anastasia Sterling has arrived.”
Logan, his right-hand man, spoke quietly at his side.
Harrison’s eyes lowered. “How many does that make this month?”
Logan hesitated. She’s the fourth.”
Ever since Mr. Lancaster had come to Fairhaven and publicly announced his search for a wife, this was the fourth woman he’d married this month.
The first lasted a week-dead. Follow current novᴇls on
The second fell apart after two days-completely lost her mind.
The third never even made it through the front doors-she was in such hysterics, she threatened to jump from the windows rather than marry him.
Lady Lancaster had grown desperate. In the end, she remembered an old verbal agreement with the Sterling family.
But hadn’t Mr. Lancaster himself already told the Sterlings they didn’t need to honor the arrangement? So why had Ms. Anastasia Sterling still come?
With a reputation like his, most women would run for their lives. And yet here she was, willingly walking into the lion’s den. It was… remarkable.
“Come on, let’s see her.” Harrison’s deep voice broke the silence.
Downstairs, Anastasia sat on the sofa, her suitcase by her side, nerves twisting her insides as she waited.
The elevator chimed. Her heart leapt into her throat as she looked up.
Harrison appeared, seated in his wheelchair, being pushed by one of his staff. He’d been injured in an accident recently-couldn’t walk yet.
He was strikingly handsome, but with a pallor that betrayed his lingering
weakness. Yet even now, he carried an air of unshakable authority.
Anastasia stood up abruptly, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Guilt threatened to drown her.
Harrison’s brow furrowed, his expression instantly cooling.
“Someone escort Ms. Sterling home,” he said flatly.
Another girl forced here by her family, he thought. He wasn’t so desperate for a
wife that he’d keep a woman against her will.
“Wait!” Anastasia blurted, rushing forward in a panic.
He turned, eyes impossibly dark. “Yes?”
Even seated, his presence was commanding almost frightening.
“I—I’m already your wife. I’m not leaving. I want to stay.”
There was no hesitation in her voice.
She owed this man far too much. If fate had given her a second chance, then maybe this was her chance to make things right. How could she walk away now? How could she ever leave?
Remembering the truth she’d learned only at the end, her throat tightened with emotion.
The room fell silent.
“Stay?” For a split second, Harrison wondered if he’d heard her right.
Women always treated him like a monster. She was the first to say she wanted to stay.
In her bright, beautiful eyes, he saw no trace of reluctance-only nerves, uncertainty, and… was that guilt?
He had to admit, something in his heart stirred at that.
After a tense, breathless pause, he finally spoke-