Chapter 1

Ten years ago, my parents' adopted son, my brother Rhys, set a fire that injured someone.

But with my parents' help, all the evidence pointed to me.

My own parents, my own sister, personally sent me to prison.

And my fiancée, Seraphina Vance, arranged it all.

When I got out, she set off fireworks across the entire city for my brother.

It wasn't until I vanished completely that they finally started to panic.

"Let me atone, please?"

I laughed coldly. "How? Are you going to give me back my liver? Or are you going to spend ten years in prison, too?"

.....

Ten years ago, my parents' adopted son, my brother Rhys, set a fire that injured someone.

With my parents' help, every piece of evidence was twisted to point at me.

The victim's family poured a can of gasoline over my head, screaming they'd take me down with them.

My parents and my own sister all begged me, "Elias, Rhys didn't mean it. He was burned in the fire too, he can't go to jail. Just take the fall for him."

I refused. I fought back. I tried to explain.

But the next day, they were all witnesses for the prosecution. I was the arsonist, shoved into the back of a police car.

And my fiancée, Seraphina Vance, heir to the Vance Corporation, had orchestrated everything.

Terrified I would run, she worked with my family to have me sent to the offshore penitentiary on Albatross Island. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.

Before they put me on the boat, she made a promise.

"Elias, just endure it for ten years. When you get out, I'll marry you."

Ten years later.

"Elias Sutton. You're out. Be a good man, walk forward, and don't look back."

I took my tattered personal belongings from the guard and boarded the fishing boat.

To keep Rhys happy, the only ride they sent for me was a rented boat from a local fisherman.

Oakhaven.

The moment I stepped onto the dock, I saw the Maybach. The window rolled down, revealing my fiancée Seraphina's unreadable face.

"You've suffered. I'll keep my promise. We'll get married."

My gaze didn't linger on her. I just grunted an "Mm" and got in the car.

I saw my reflection in the rearview mirror—gaunt, sallow, the scar on my face a shocking ruin.

Seraphina noticed my wretched state.

She was about to say something, but her phone rang, cutting her off.

"Rhys's Mom"

I saw the contact name on the screen and felt nothing. Not a flicker of hope.

"Elias, I'm sorry. Something's happened to Rhys."

"You know how it is. The fire ten years ago… it left a shadow on him. He developed schizophrenia. Your return today triggered an episode. Your parents and sister are at the hospital. I have to go."

Watching her hurriedly start the car, I saw it coming. I opened the door and got out without being asked.

Seraphina's hand paused on the ignition. She looked at me, standing by the side of the road, and added, "I'll have a driver take you back to the Sutton house."

I spent ten years in that island prison. Ten years of torment, of confinement. Thousands of days and nights, each one a brutal reminder.

They don't love me.

I was lost during a family trip to a mountain resort when I was five.

They found me when I was twelve, but they only cared about their adopted son Rhys's feelings. They wouldn't even spare me a glance. That included Seraphina.

Ten years ago, they made me take the fall for Rhys, stripping me of everything.

I've already spent more than a decade begging for their love like a dog.

I'm done begging. And I don't want to marry Seraphina Vance anymore.

Two hours later, I arrived at the Sutton estate.

It was the holiday season, so only the butler and two housekeepers were on duty. When they saw me, their eyes filled with disgust.

The unloved son wasn't a young master. I was just the arsonist who brought shame to the Sutton name.

"Young Master, the incident ten years ago was a huge scandal. The master and mistress have given instructions that you are not to leave the house. The Sutton family cannot afford any more shame."

The butler's face was a mask of cold indifference.

"I have too much to do today. I'm afraid I cannot prepare a room for you."

"Please make yourself at home."

I glanced at the two maids lounging on the sofa, scrolling on their phones. I understood perfectly. I didn't say a word.

"Yeah. I know."

I'd lived in the attic storage room for years. No one ever cleaned it.

This time was no different.

But when I pushed the door open, the cloud of dust still choked me, sending me into a coughing fit.

I was too exhausted to care if it was clean. I collapsed onto the bed.