Three Years Prisoned for Him, I Married His Uncle after Freedom

“At this point, you still think you can worm your way into my life.

“Too bad—out of all the lowly paths you could have taken, you had to set your sights on the head of the Prince Family.

“Do you even know who my uncle is? He’s a powerhouse in both business and politics. Do you really think someone like you, a convict, is worthy of associating with him? Let me make this clear, Nora: my uncle despises psycophatic criminals more than anyone else.”

The thread of tension in my mind snapped in that instant.

I never expected Gabriel to think of me as the kind of person who would stop at nothing to climb the ladder.

Three years ago, on New Year’s Eve, he had patted my head, praising me as a woman who was righteous and unafraid to love or hate.

Three years may not seem long, but that time span could really change a person’s heart completely. It didn't seem that long, but it was enough for him to bring me shame I’d carry for life.

Biting my tongue, the sharp pain brought a fleeting clarity. I shakily removed the necklace from my neck and held it in my palm.

“Gabriel, you recognize the veil is personally commissioned and designed by your uncle. Then you should recognize my necklace as well.”

This necklace—was the one I wore the day I was released from prison, when I returned home from the Prince Family’s estate, my face covered in dirt and shame.

When Zachary came to my house to propose, he personally brought the betrothal gifts, claiming they included a family heirloom passed down in the Prince Family to the rightful wife of the family head.

Sure enough, Gabriel recognized it instantly. He snatched it from me, examined it closely, then hurled the necklace in my face.

"Nora, I really underestimated you. You even managed to make a fake look this convincing.

"The real necklace is with my uncle. Not even my father is qualified to inherit it. So tell me—where did you copy this from?"

As the crowd around us grew, their words became more and more vicious.

"That's too much. Isn't she just trying to claim the title of The Prince Family's daughter-in-law?"

"How can a person be this shameless? Zachary is marrying his true love today and she's out here trying to slander him. Doesn't she fear Zachary's methods?"

"What’s this compared to anything? Ms. Waller would kill for Gabe, so what’s a little trickery and fraud?"

"Ugh! That's disgusting!"

When some people started spitting at me, the others didn't hold back either.

The fresh cut on my face, left by the necklace, stung with a sharp, searing pain.

"I didn’t kill anyone!" I gritted my teeth and fought back my anger, but Ellie stepped forward and slapped me hard across the face.

Her eyes glinted with malice as she sneered, "Nora, I didn’t want to get involved, but stealing my uncle’s necklace and spreading rumors that he’s marrying you? That’s going too far. As someone about to join the Prince Family, it’s my responsibility to put you in your place."

She raised her hand to slap me again, but I caught her wrist mid-swing and shoved her back with force.

Using the wall for support, I pushed myself to my feet, wiping the blood from the corner of my mouth.

I leveled a sharp glare at the crowd, my voice cutting through the whispers. "You idiots. If you’re so desperate to know if I’m Zachary’s woman, why don’t you just call him and ask?"

The room fell silent for a few seconds after my words. Ellie, feigning composure, grabbed me and started dragging me toward the door.

"Nora, you know perfectly well that my uncle is getting married today and doesn’t have time to take your call. Why put Gabe in such an awkward position? Or are you saying you’ll only stop if Gabe marries you instead?"

As she yanked at my dress, the diamond ornaments came loose, catching the light as they scattered. She gasped, her expression exaggerated with shock, her eyes wide as she stared at me.

"Oh my God, this wedding dress is real. Nora, you’ve got some nerve. This dress was custom-made by my uncle for his future bride! Every single diamond on it—he traveled the world just to collect them.

"Forget about stealing the veil and the necklace for now, but how could you take the wedding dress meant for the bride on her wedding day?"