Pretend to Like, Then Really Murder

Nora had been grounded by Diego for three days. Though she faced punishment, I knew my mother, Fiona Rowe, must be having an even harder time at home.

I needed to devise a plan to get Fiona out of that place.

For several days, Diego had been absent from the estate, and Amy reported back that he had been dispatched by the king on a routine inspection.

Once Nora's grounding was lifted, she wasted no time in summoning me to her quarters again.

"Kneel!" she ordered, her voice sharp as a whip.

"Nora…" I began, trying to reason with her.

"Shut it, you little brat! What did you say to Mr. Scott that made him side with you so much? I'll say this once more: you're just a little bastard born from a singer. Don't even think about taking my place. If you happen to have a son one day, maybe I'll let you off the hook. Otherwise, you know the consequences!"

"Nora, I haven't said a word! I promise I'll bear a child and leave the residence as soon as possible," I pleaded, desperate to appease her.

Nora had been spoiled by her mother, Diana Rowe, growing up. Though she was arrogant and domineering, she lacked the cunning to navigate her position without seeking Diana's advice.

Hearing my words, she likely figured I wouldn't dare act out, especially since Fiona was still in her grasp.

A little intimidation would suffice to send me away.

Another month passed, and Diego finally returned home.

Amanda and Nora had been waiting eagerly in the main hall, ready to welcome him back with open arms.

I found their company unbearable and quietly retreated to my own courtyard, knowing no one would miss me.

On such a day, Diego was expected to stay in the main house to sleep.

I assumed he wouldn't come tonight, so after dinner, I had Amy help me bathe and prepare for bed.

Just as I was drifting off, a sudden gust of cold wind jolted me awake.

"Amy, the door's open. Can you close it for me?"

The door clicked shut, and I caught a familiar scent of sandalwood wafting through the air. It can't be Diego; I must have been mistaken.

"Sleeping so early? Don't you want to see me?"

The sound of Diego's voice sent my heart racing. I quickly threw off the covers and got out of bed to greet him properly.

"Mr. Scott, shouldn't you be in Nora's room tonight?"

"Do you not want me here?"

"I wouldn't dare."

Diego had returned from his trip, and there was a noticeable softness to him that hadn't been there before.

He kicked off his shoes, changed into his nightclothes, and pulled me close as he lay back down beside me.

I was too startled by his sudden presence to feel sleepy anymore, and I stiffened in his embrace. He didn't do anything but hold me tightly.

"Do you know who Lucy is?" he asked suddenly.

A chill ran down my spine. Lucy was my daughter from my past life.

"I don't know," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

My fingers were clenched so tightly that they turned white.

A wave of sorrow washed over me, but I couldn't let it show. I had no idea how Nora would treat my children after I was gone.

Barry, being a boy, would likely be taken care of by her and groomed to become the next Mr. Scott.

But Lucy, my sweet daughter—what would become of her? Would she suffer at Nora's hands?

I didn't want to dwell on it; all I felt was resentment toward my past self for being so weak, for not standing up for my children and Fiona, and for not using Diego's power to protect them.

I wondered how Diego knew about Lucy.

Could he also be a reincarnation? But that doesn't seem right. If he had been reborn, he wouldn't treat me this way; in his eyes, I am just a frivolous woman with ulterior motives in my past life.

As fatigue washed over me, I slowly closed my eyes.

When I awoke again, Diego had already left.

After freshening up, I headed to Nora's courtyard.

Since Diego had spent the night in my quarters, I knew Nora would be furious.

As I approached, I heard the unmistakable sound of glass shattering.

"The little vixen, always trying to charm Mr. Scott, I wonder what my mother was thinking when she decided to let her bear a child for me," Nora's voice seethed from within the room, causing me to furrow my brows.

"Do calm down, my lady, lest you harm yourself with this anger..." the servant's soothing words were barely heard over Nora's indignation.

Nora's impatience was evident; she couldn't even wait for me to take action.

"Nora, I come to apologize," I sobbed, my tears and mucus coating my face as I weakly knelt before her, playing the part of a pitiful weakling easily manipulated.

"Diego must be desperate for an heir, which is why he came to my quarters. I will fulfill your wishes, bearing a child swiftly and departing from this manor."

Nora had already resumed her superior stance, looking down on me as if I were nothing more than an insignificant insect.

"Enough, Amy, help her up," she commanded, her eyes filled with disdain.

She said, "Put away your petty tricks. Don't think you can use those seductive ways of Fiona's to charm Mr. Scott. Once the child is born, Mr. Scott will still recognize it as mine."

Finally free from Nora's quarters, I had to once again deal with Diego.

Since his return, Diego had undergone a peculiar transformation, his behavior increasingly odd.

Today, he sent a servant to inform me that I was to attend to him in his study, assisting with his official duties.

Carrying a basket of sweets prepared by the kitchen, I made my way to the study.

As I gazed at Diego diligently working, it was undeniable that he possessed an attractive exterior. I had been tempted but dared not act upon it.

"Come here," Diego ordered upon noticing my hesitant presence.

"Yes," I responded, moving swiftly to his side.

In my youth, my father, Vincent Rowe, had once doted on Fiona. I had stood by Vincent's side, learning calligraphy and painting. However, as Fiona's relationship with Vincent soured and her beauty faded, Diana's animosity towards her grew, and Vincent no longer cared for or cherished me; everything had changed.

"Thinking of something?"

"Yes, Mr. Scott, I was reminiscing about my mother. It's been a long time since I've seen her. I wonder how she fares now."

"Marrying into this manor doesn't mean you can't visit your family. If homesick, you are free to return at any time. Should you bear me an heir, your mother can join you here, by your side."

Looking up at him, I pondered his words.

Though Diego was our family's son-in-law, meddling in our domestic affairs was inappropriate. If I bore him a child, Fiona could use caring for her daughter as an excuse to leave the home, which brought her sorrow.

"Thank you, Mr. Scott."

"Is that all the gratitude you have for me?" Diego's smirk grew more pronounced, his gaze flirtatious.

"The kitchen just made some sweet treats. They are quite delectable and may lose their warmth soon if not eaten."

Diego took the sweets from my hands, scooping a spoonful to feed me before pulling me into his embrace and kissing me deeply.

"Quite sweet," he murmured against my lips.

We made love until dusk, and just when I thought I couldn't take any more, Diego finally let me go.

I guessed that whatever had transpired in the study was already common gossip in Nora's ears. But I didn't mind; the more anxious she was, the more likely she would slip up and create chaos.

With Diego back at the manor, Nora didn't dare confront me directly.

My days passed in a leisurely manner, just how I liked it.

Many things unfolded similarly to my past life, but now that I knew the ending, I could steer clear of pitfalls along the way.

As December rolled around, a constant fatigue settled over me, and I found myself unusually sleepy.

That was when it hit me—I might be pregnant again. The look on Diego's face when I told him was priceless; he was over the moon, immediately sending for a physician from the palace to confirm.

As I expected, the doctor confirmed I was indeed two months along.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the estate. It wasn't long before Nora hurried to my side.

"Well, look at you! So quick to get pregnant," she remarked, her hand hovering over my belly.

A wave of anxiety coursed through me, reminiscent of the last time when Barry and Lucy were whisked away by her men just days after their birth.

I instinctively pulled away from her touch.

"Just focus on resting. When the baby arrives, I promise you won't lack for anything," she said.

"Thank you, Nora," I replied cautiously.

"Amy, get your belongings together. You'll be moving into my quarters shortly.

"Abigail, I've prepared a side room for you. Now that you're expecting, it's only logical for us to be close. I can take care of you," she added, her tone pressing as I struggled to figure out how to decline.

Just then, Diego walked in.

"We won't be doing that," he interjected firmly.

"But Mr. Scott, Abigail's current quarters are rather humble…" Nora's attempt to reason was cut short.

"She's staying with me," he stated matter-of-factly as if the decision were final.

Both Nora and I stared at him in shock.

Her expression darkened, the forced smile on her face barely concealing her irritation.

"Mr. Scott, with Abigail in her condition, she might disrupt your work," Nora pressed, her voice dripping with feigned concern.

"Not a problem." Diego shot her down without a second thought.

Nora shot a venomous glare my way, her frustration palpable.

With her pride wounded, she made a hasty retreat.