Contract Marriage: If You Don't Love Me, Get Divorced!

She could accept that Lincoln did not treat her well. She could accept that Lincoln did not love her. But she found it really hard to accept the fact that Lincoln married her just so her sister could marry the man she loved.

But things had already come to this. Even if she didn't accept it, she couldn't change anything. She was a woman, after all. Her fate was destined to be in someone else's.

She didn't have the energy to think about anything else. Lincoln had said that he would start taking concubines tomorrow. She believed he would act on it. Life would surely become more tumultuous.

The next day, Lincoln made a grand show of marrying Eva Flores into the household. Although it was taking a concubine, the ceremony was no less grand than a wedding. Moreover, she even entered through the main gate with great pomp.

Bella knew this was meant to put her in her place. She had already prepared herself mentally, so she just let him do as he wished.

"Madam, are you just going to endure this?" Clara said, clearly upset.

Bella played with the thread in her hands. She said calmly, "What else can I do? Can I beat him? Can the Jenkins family do anything to him?"

Clara shook her head. It was clear that neither of them could beat him or do anything about it.

"So what if I don't endure it? Should I go and fight him to the death? Why waste my energy on that?" she said.

Clara stomped her foot in frustration. "Then what should we do? Just let him openly marry a concubine and humiliate you?"

She thought, "Marquis Miller didn't enter Madam's room last night. Madam had already become the laughingstock. Now, with the concubine openly entering through the main gate with such a grand ceremony, it was like she was being treated as the official wife. Isn't this making Madam a joke to the entire Gonzales?"

Bella smiled and shook her head. She said, "Clara, you're wrong. It's not just one. From now on, it's one every other day."

"One every other day?" Clara could hardly believe her ears. But seeing how Bella was handling it, it was clear she already knew. What on earth was going on?

"Yes, that's right. So, just let him do as he wishes. Otherwise, we'll be driven mad before he fills the manor with concubines." Bella had already finished arranging the threads. She pulled Clara down to sit beside her. "Didn't you want to learn double-sided embroidery from me before? Well, start learning seriously from now on. If you don't focus, I'll be a very strict teacher," she said.

Bella started selecting the satin as she spoke. Clara looked at Bella's expression. There wasn't the slightest trace of displeasure. Clara truly couldn't tell if Bella really didn't care or if she was just too good at hiding her emotions.

Bella had wanted to remain quietly in her corner. But as the official wife, she was soon called to observe the ceremony. She also had to accept the concubine's water offering according to the rules.

Bella put down her embroidery and said helplessly, "The tree wants to remain still, but the wind won't stop."

Then she looked at Clara and said, "You don't need to come with me. Practice the stitching method I just taught you. I'll check it when I get back."

Bella knew Clara's temperament. She also knew Lincoln intended to embarrass her. The scene would definitely not be pleasant. Some things Bella could endure, but Clara might not be able to. If Clara couldn't bear it, the outcome would be even more painful.

Bella followed the servant to the main hall. This ceremony was no different from a proper wedding. Perhaps only Lincoln could pull off such a thing.

When it came time for the water offering, Bella sat calmly in her chair and accepted Eva's drinks. But to her surprise, Eva deliberately pretended her hand shook. The cup tilted, and the hot water spilled onto Bella's hand.

Bella frowned slightly. The water used in the ceremony was usually at a drinkable temperature. But this scalding hot water couldn't have been prepared for her by accident. If she did this right at the start, the days ahead would be even more turbulent.

Bella knew she had no backing. If she didn't want things to get worse, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and endure.

She steadied the cup effortlessly and pulled her sleeve to cover her scalded hand. Then she brought the cup to her lips. But the water was too hot to drink. Bella put the cup back on the tray and said, "I hope you will serve Marquis Miller well in the future and bear many children for him."