Chapter 1 Gabriella Hensley and Reynald Dalloz were notoriously known as a couple bound not by love , but by pure hatred . He filled their wedding venue with funeral wreaths , wishing her a quick death in paradise - so she smashed a bottle over his head and sent him to the hospital . He brought his kept woman to their marital bed - she burned the house down . At a social event , his new mistress called her name out loud , and she yelled back at her . Reynald once said they'd never stop until one of them was dead . His words turned out to be prophetic . " Ten minutes , " he said , " and you'll have your answer . " Gabriella went cold . Reynald was crazier - meaner - than he'd ever been . She turned on her heel and ran to his hospital room . Skipped the elevator . Nine minutes . She tore up the stairs to the top floor . Reynald was lounging in his chair , surrounded by praise , like royalty . Next to him sat a woman in a white dress . Gabriella froze . She was Vanessa Lincoln . The replacement Reynald had searched for - the one who looked the most like her . He'd treated Vanessa like a treasure for five years - just to remind Gabriella that he could love anyone . Anyone but her . Reynald tapped his long fingers on the table . A photo sat face down under the camera . " Time's up . " Gabriella's face drained . She lunged and slammed her hand on the photo . Laughter exploded in the room like a bomb . " Gabriella , don't wanna show the pic ? You gonna flash us live instead ? " " Damn , that's generous . Too generous . " Chin T " Strip ! Strip ! " They mentioned her name with mockery . Each one hit her chest like a stone . Reynald's lips curved , but the smile never reached his eyes . He pried Gabriella's fingers off the photo , one by one . " Reynald , what am I to you ? ". Her palm was empty . The cold seeped straight into her heart . He raised a brow , sneering . " You tell me . " Laughter exploded again around the room . Everyone knew Reynald didn't love her . She had been a joke from day one . Gabriella bit her lip until it bled , watching him flip the photo over . She shut her eyes in despair . " Shit - the livestream got taken down ! " She opened her eyes . Saved . She'd reported the stream before coming . Just in time . Reynald tossed the photo in a drawer and slammed it shut , gaze sharp as a blade . " Too early to celebrate , honey . On my funeral day , I'll make sure your nudes are plastered across every street in this city . If I die , don't think you'll have it easy . " Gabriella stiffened , ice crawling into her bones . " Reynald , you won't have a funeral . I'll ... " Chapter 1 He stood and grabbed her chin . His eyes were full of madness . " What , scared ? " Don't worry . I won't kill you . I'll make sure you live every day every day in hell . And never forget - murderer's blood runs through your veins . " Her heart clenched . Pain , sharp and deep . The murdered one was her mom . Reynald's first heart issue came at five . It was her mom who paid for and arranged his surgery and saved his life . She funded his schooling , too . He wasn't the first her mom had helped . Her mom was kind . Too kind . But five years later , another act of kindness got her tricked into the mountains by Gabriella's biological father . There , abuse became her daily life . She broke down mentally . At 15 , Gabriella was sold by her father - her first night bought for 1,500 dollars . When the debt collectors came , her mom clung to her tightly , shielding her from the blows . Fists , kicks - her mom took them all . Even as blood soaked her body , she refused to let go . And just as she collapsed , the door burst open . Reynald and the Hensley family arrived - too late . Her father was executed . She survived , only to become the target of everyone's hatred . They all asked , " Why wasn't it she who died ? " Gabriella asked the same , too . After the funeral , she went to the rooftop alone . She was about to jump , but Reynald pulled her back . Chapter 1 " It's not your fault . " Don't be scared . I'm here . " The Hensley family didn't want her . He ignored everyone and took her in . When her trauma flared , he dropped everything and took her across oceans to chase auroras , to live through polar days and nights , to stand in the southernmost cold and feel the purest glaciers . When she got sick , he stayed by her side every second ; he walked her through the darkest nights . Back then , Reynald was salvation . A second chance at life . How could she not fall for him ? At 20 , he confessed . The same year , he proposed . On their wedding day , she floated in her dress , heart full of dreams . And then he smashed them . The banquet was filled with funeral wreaths . At the center - her giant black - and - white photo . Reynald looked at her , smiling cruelly . " Welcome to hell , Gabriella . " That marriage certificate tied her life to his . In that instant , all the warmth from the past turned to poison . It was clear . He , like everyone else , hated her to the core . She laughed through tears , grabbed a wine bottle , and smashed it over his head , sending him to the hospital . Since then , for every move he made , she hit back harder . And the title of Mrs. Dalloz ? It became a joke in every social circle . But now , the joke was about to end . Gabriella's eyes burned . " Reynald , can we spend the last two weeks . peacefully ? On the final day , I'll give you anything you want . " His brows arched . He smiled , but his eyes burned with cruelty . " Then die for me , will you ? " " I will . " Her voice was strained but firm . " Great . " He pushed open the window , eyes like a madman . " Jump . " Freelance photographer Violet Beck is forced into an engagement with CEO Roy Payne. He is everything her wild heart rebels against: proper, predictable, and painfully kind. But love has a way of devel...