Chapter 3
Rose’s POV
I had no idea how long I lay on the floor of the lawyer’s office, curled into a ball, consumed by my tears. But eventually, I stood up, wiped my face, and let out a shaky breath.
It couldn’t possibly get worse than this. Four years of marriage to Gideon Blackwood–all of it a lie.
I wanted to scream, to demand an
explanation. How could he do this to me? Why trap me in this cruel, meaningless marriage for fifteen years?
Fifteen years ago, I had moved into the Blackwood mansion to care for Gideon and
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Nathaniel after they lost their parents and sister in a tragic car accident.
I had been their closest friend. They asked me to live with them, and for years, I helped them heal. I comforted Nathaniel through the nightmares, waking him after his screams.
As we grew older, I fell for Gideon, and he told me he loved me too. He married me soon after, and like a fool, I did everything to keep him happy.
Even when Serena entered the picture a year into our marriage, I didn’t feel threatened. Serena was my college best friend. My childhood companion. She was my bridesmaid. She’d never hurt me. Or so I thought.
Now, the three of them had hurt me in ways I couldn’t even begin to fathom without
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gasping for air.
What had I done to deserve this? Why didn’t he just tell me he never loved me? Why destroy everything just to make me suffer?
“Miss, should I call someone for you? A doctor? Police? A friend?” The lawyer’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
I looked at him, offering a bitter smile. “Thank you, but I’ll be leaving now.”
With that, I staggered out of his office, feeling the eyes of the staff follow me, pity in their gaze.
I caught a cab back to the mansion. I had nowhere else to go, and there was one thing left to do: pack my things.
One goal. One mission: To get my passport.
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To erase “Rose Blackwood” from existence.
The house was eerily quiet when I stepped inside. I was grateful for the silence. I quickly grabbed my passport, ready to leave, but just as I turned to head out, I heard voices from the sitting room.
Putting on a neutral face, I stepped into the hallway, pretending not to hear them. Nathaniel and Gideon were having dinner while Serena lay comfortably across Gideon’s legs.
The sight was a perfect picture of a happy family. A perfect, deceitful façade.
I had barely taken three steps when Gideon’s voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Rose!”
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I didn’t look back, but before I could move, Nathaniel’s hand shot out, gripping my arm.
“Are you deaf? Can’t you hear us calling?” His voice was sharp, full of contempt.
I jerked my arm free from his grip. “I don’t have time for this.”
Nathaniel threw his head back and laughed cruelly before snatching my bag.
“Kneel and apologize to Serena for what you did earlier,‘ he said coldly. “Maybe then, we’ll let you leave.”
I turned to Gideon, my eyes filled with the faintest hope. Could he, would he, help me?
But instead, he agreed with Nathaniel.
“Yes, Rose. The doctor said if we hadn’t
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come in time, Serena would’ve bled out. You almost killed her. An apology is the least you owe her.”
I scoffed, barely holding back my bitterness. “I almost killed her? She wanted me dead! I’ve been through hell for two days, and no one has even asked me how I’m doing. But
“It’s fine, Gideon,” Serena’s soft voice interrupted, acting like the victim once more. “Let her be. She doesn’t need to apologize.”
Gideon suddenly stood, his face a mask of fury. “No, Serena. She can’t get away with this. If she doesn’t apologize right now, I’ll punish her!” His voice shook with barely contained rage.
I shrugged, meeting his gaze with defiance. “I’m not apologizing for something I didn’t
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do, Gideon. Do your worst.”
Without another word, Gideon grabbed me by the arm and dragged me outside. In one swift motion, he smashed a bottle on the floor.
Nathaniel shoved me forward, forcing me down onto the broken glass.
Pain shot through my body as shards of glass cut into my knees. I gasped, struggling to stay upright.
“Count to one hundred,” Nathaniel barked.
I bit down on my lip, the taste of blood in my mouth as I stared at the ground, fighting against the overwhelming pain. They watched me, standing over me like predators.
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3
Serena’s smirk was evident behind them, her eyes gleaming with sadistic satisfaction.
By the time I reached one hundred, I could barely keep my eyes open from the blood loss. My knees were a mess of cuts, and my body felt as though it was coming apart.
Nathaniel tossed my bag at me with disgust. “Useless bitch.”
“Next time you lay a hand on Serena, I’ll kill you myself,” Gideon added coldly.
They turned their backs and walked away, leaving me in a heap on the floor.
I staggered to the wall, my knees burning with every movement, barely able to hold back the screams of pain.
I tore an old dress off a nearby hanger and
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wrapped it around my knees. I wouldn’t let this stop me. If anything, it made me more determined than ever to erase my identity.
I hailed a cab and made my way to the immigration office.
The junior staff member greeted me immediately.
“Are you sure about this?” he asked, looking at me carefully. “Once these documents are signed, Rose Blackwood will no longer exist.”
I nodded firmly. “That’s exactly what I want.”
He asked for my passport, which I handed over without hesitation. As he scanned it, red lights flashed, sirens blared, and alarms rang through the office.
“What’s going on?” I asked, panic rising in my
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chest.
Men in black uniforms rushed in, guns holstered, and before I could protest, they seized me, dragging me into a sterile, cold office.
“What are you doing?! I haven’t done anything!” I shouted, fear flooding my veins.
The chief officer slammed my passport down in front of me.
“Fake documents. Fraud. You’re under arrest.”
My head spun. “No! Gideon Blackwood gave me this passport! Call him! He’ll explain!”
The officer didn’t respond. He picked up the phone, tapped into the system, and dialed.
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Gideon answered, his voice detached and impassive.
“Blackwood residence.”
The officer spoke calmly, “Mr. Blackwood, this is Chief Immigration Officer Sebastian. A woman named Rose Blackwood is here. She claims you gave her this passport. Can you confirm that you know her?”
There was a long pause, and then Gideon’s voice came through, as cold and heartless
as ever.
“I don’t know anyone by that name.”
I screamed, my voice raw. “Gideon! It’s me! Please!”
But the officer ignored me, continuing his conversation. “Just to confirm, sir, you deny
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knowing her, and you deny giving her any documents?”
There was no hesitation in Gideon’s voice.
“I don’t know her. Do whatever you want. I need to take care of my wife and daughter.”
The line clicked off, leaving me frozen, my blood running cold.
I was dragged out of the office, handcuffed, but I couldn’t cry. I couldn’t scream. All
I could hear echoing in my mind were Gideon’s last words.
“I don’t know her. Do whatever you want. I need to take care of my wife and daughter.”
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