The Deception of the Fiance

I, Eileen Lewis, was the biological daughter of the Lewis family.

My adoptive parents abused me.

My biological parents despised me, thinking I was inferior to Brenna Lewis, the daughter they raised.

My fiancé, Kolton Owen, loathed me and sent me to a mental hospital.

They asked me to atone for the sins of Brenna.

But I didn't know what I had done wrong.

After being beaten and electrocuted, I finally understood.

Falling in love with Kolton Owen was my mistake.

I need to forget him.

Burn the diary.

Throw away the gifts.

Erase the birthmark he liked.

If Kolton appeared in my eyes, then I should gouge my eyes out.

"Great, Kolton, you have finally completely vanished from my sight."

Yet he went mad.

1

On the day of my discharge, my father came to pick me up and take me home.

Today was Eileen's birthday, and the house was bustling.

I stood at the door with a black handbag, wearing an ill-fitting coat, feeling uneasy.

The people inside looked at me.

"Who's that? Dressed so dowdy?"

"Could she be the maid's daughter? No way, even the maids are more fashionable than her!"

"That's Eileen Lewis! Brenna's big sister! Kolton's former 'fiancée'!"

"The one who looks innocent on the outside, but is actually very wicked inside."

Brenna hid behind Kolton, who patted her back reassuringly and walked towards me.

He looked down at me from above, while I bowed my head in humility.

Then he said, "Eileen, you really know how to pick a day to come back. So, three years in the mental hospital and you still haven't learned your lesson?"

It was Kolton who sent me to the mental hospital. Hearing his tone, I shivered instinctively, almost answered reflexively, "I'm sorry, I was wrong!"

I said it loudly. In the mental hospital, admitting fault too quietly would be deemed 'insubordinate, failure to admit fault' and would be electrocuted.

I dared not look at Kolton, but his silence made me anxious. I clenched my fists, inhaled deeply.

Then I said, "I'm sorry! I really know I was wrong!"

Please, don't send me back to the mental hospital! I thought to myself.

Mom approached with a satisfied smile, "Kolton, you've misunderstood Eileen. She really knows she was wrong. She passed all evaluations.

I specifically asked Mr. Lewis to bring her back today so she could apologize to Brenna in front of everyone.

From now on, let's consider that matter settled."

My mother took my hand and led me to Brenna.

"Eileen, go ahead!"

I looked up.

Brenna wore a fairytale-like dress and tiara, her skin tender and white, like a real princess.

She was very afraid of me, her eyes timid.

Kolton immediately stepped forward and shielded her behind him.

I quickly lowered my head.

But I hadn't forgotten about apologizing.

"Eileen! I'm sorry! I was wrong! I really know I was wrong! Please forgive me! I promise I won't make any more mistakes!"

I placed the handbag aside, knelt down with a thud, and begged on my knees, "Please forgive me!"

Laughter surrounded me.

But Brenna didn't respond, so I didn't dare stand up. I supported myself on the floor, ignoring the pain, and continued to beg.

I really didn't want to go back to the mental hospital! I thought.

2

"Stop!"

Kolton suddenly growled, lifting me like a ragdoll.

"Eileen, are you doing this on purpose? You know that Brenna can't stand being startled!"

I dared not look at him, blankly staring at Brenna.

Was I really that scary? I thought.

She was indeed frightened by me, nestled in Mom's arms, with tears welling up in her eyes.

Mom looked at me disapprovingly, "Eileen, you're really overdoing it."

I... messed up again.

I didn't know why, but it seemed I couldn't do anything right.

I despairingly thought, was I going to be sent back to the mental hospital again? Why did I always make mistakes?

Above me, Kolton's voice sounded, "Eileen, what's with that expression? Do you think anyone will still believe your pitiful act? What are you daydreaming about? Speak up."

He gripped my wrist.

The areas where he touched me immediately broke out in rashes, and I was so uncomfortable that I screamed.

"Don't touch me! Kolton, don't touch me! I know I was wrong, don't touch me!"

He stunned for a moment, then quickly let go, mocking, "Eileen, three years apart, and you've become even better at pretending to be pitiful!!"

I breathed a sigh of relief, secretly scratching my wrist, so itchy.

He continued to sneer, "According to my wishes, you should stay in the mental hospital for life to atone for Brenna! But now that you're back, behave yourself. If you cause trouble again, you'll never get out of there! Understand?"

"Mm... understood."

I nodded obediently.

I wouldn't cause trouble.

I know I was wrong.

I wouldn't make mistakes again.

"If you understand, then leave."

Mom rubbed her temples and called the maid, "Martha, take Eileen to her room."

I immediately followed Martha, fleeing from Kolton's side.

Too terrifying, Kolton was too terrifying.

I thought, I must never go near him again.

I wouldn't make mistakes again.

Martha led me to a room at the end of the second floor. She didn't like me either, and she also looked down on me.

"Eileen, your room has been turned into Miss Brenna's dance studio. Mrs. Lewis wants you to stay here for now."

Opening the door, a musty smell greeted me.

I turned on the light. The small, cramped room was filled with clutter. A small bed was placed against the left wall.

Martha mocked, "What, Eileen, not going in? Do you dislike this room?"

"I don't dislike it!"

I instinctively raised my voice, startling Martha.

Afraid she'd kick me out, I hurried inside and closed the door.

Sitting on the small bed, I smiled contentedly.

How could I dislike it?

This bed was so clean, the sheets had no strange stains, and I could even smell the scent of laundry detergent when I lowered my head.

This was the best bed I had slept on in three years! I thought.

How could I possibly dislike it?

I lay on the bed with my eyes closed for a while, then got up and opened the black handbag.

This was my entire fortune.

I was sent to the mental hospital in a hurry and had only time to bring these things with me. After admission, they were confiscated.

Upon discharge, the director returned them to me.

Opening the bag, my face turned pale.

Inside was a diary, a bracelet, and a plaid tie.

All related to Kolton.

The diary recorded from the day I met Kolton until our engagement.

The bracelet was a token of love he gave me.

The plaid tie was a gift I bought him after working for half a year for our engagement.

They shouldn't be here.

They can't be here!

I must burn them!

I stood up, pacing anxiously in the room, but I dared not go out.

Kolton was outside, and I dared not go out.

Waiting until midnight, when it was quiet outside, I tiptoed barefoot to the kitchen to get a lighter.

Then I returned to my room and set the diary on fire.

As the flames rose, I breathed a sigh of relief, throwing the tie and bracelet into the fire, laughing happily.

Suddenly, a voice came out. "What, what are you doing?"

The door of my room was pushed open, and Brenna stood at the entrance in a white nightgown, covering her mouth, trembling.