Pretend to Like, Then Really Murder

The next day, Nora, as in my previous life, comforted me as if nothing had happened, conferred upon me the title of concubine, and urged me to bear a child as soon as possible.

I pretended to be pitiful, and Nora, seeing my demeanor, said nothing more and allowed me to return to my room to rest.

The jewelry and money bestowed upon me were handed over to my maid, Amy Lane, for safekeeping.

Amy had been by my side throughout my previous life, and I wondered what her fate might have been after my death.

I assumed she was either sold off by Nora or met the same end as me.

Recalling this, I felt my eyes well up once more.

Nora's past transgressions against me—I vowed to return every single one.

After dinner, Diego came to my room.

Unlike his usual gentle and refined demeanor, he always wore a cold expression when he saw me, radiating an aura of severity.

In my previous life, each time I encountered his coldness, my heart would race in fear.

Worried I might fail Nora's mandate and not conceive, I would muster my courage and approach him.

He never showed me any mercy, leaving me in tears after every sex.

Through our time together, I had come to understand his temperament; Diego detested cunning women, a trait I foolishly embodied in my former life.

I stood and bowed to him. "Brother-in-law."

His lips curled into a sneer at my address, his disdain palpable. "I wonder how Mr. Rowe could have sired a daughter like you. Now that you've fulfilled your wish by entering the Scott household, I advise you to abandon your petty schemes. I won't be lenient with you."

"I have never harbored any malicious intentions. That night, I don't know how I ended up... with you." As I spoke, I covered my face, tears streaming down.

Diego looked at me coldly. After a long while, seeming unable to bear my tears, he helped me up. "It's late. Stop crying. Let's sleep."

Diego's gaze was deep and inscrutable.

I said nothing more and followed him to the bed.

My immediate priority was to convince Diego of my victim status and frame everything as Nora's manipulation.

His strong hands gripped my waist tightly, rendering me immobile as I was forced to endure his passion.

The next morning, I rose early to pay my respects to Nora.

While Diego hadn't yet fully trusted me, I had to pretend to obey Nora.

Today, Nora greeted me with a cold face.

"You really take after your mother—both of you seductresses."

She hurled a cup at me, which I didn't dodge, hitting my shoulder squarely.

To everyone's surprise, Diego happened to walk in right then.

"What is going on here?" he demanded, causing everyone to hastily bow.

"Mr. Scott, it's my sister being willful. She started an argument with me this morning, so I was just giving her a small punishment."

I looked at Diego with tears in my eyes, conveying my innocence. "Mr. Scott, it's not Nora's fault. It's my mistake. Please don't blame Nora..."

"I've seen right and wrong with my own eyes; there's no need for Mrs. Scott to judge." Diego was defending me, proving that playing the pitiful card worked for his machismo.

However, I was still under Nora's control and couldn't afford to offend her. I clutched Diego's hem tightly, shaking my head, imploring him to say no more.

Diego, however, swept me up into his arms and carried me away.

"Mr. Scott, I..."

"Shut up."

Back in my room, Diego handed Amy a high-quality ointment to apply to my injuries.

The bruises from the past two days and the fresh wounds from today left little of my body unmarked.

Diego glanced at the injuries and then quickly left.