Melody realized Jeffrey had gone mad for udia. She regretted ever allowing udia to get close to him.


    Later, when Jeffrey decided to leave, she had a terrible argument with him. In the heat of the moment, she swore that there would no longer be a ce for him in the Nichols family.


    After that, she poured all her energy into raising Juan. Just like Jeffrey, little Juan was intelligent, rational, and steady.


    When he grew up, she made careful ns to arrange a suitable marriage for him. This time, she would not let things go out of hand.


    Debra then came into view. She was from a prestigious literary family with a history spanning a century. She was a perfect match for Juan.


    The Frazier family was on the verge of decline, but that was even better. A woman from a struggling family would know her ce, be content with her role, and dedicate herself to taking care of her husband.


    Most importantly, Juan didn''t like Debra, which pleased Melody. It meant he would never abandon thepany for her.


    But never in her wildest dreams did she expect Debra to be just like udia.


    She had done everything for the Nichols family, but in the end, both Jeffrey and Juan left her. Jeffrey even wanted to end her life.


    The thought of it made her feel as if she were choking on blood. The metallic taste lingered in her throat, but she couldn''t spit it out. She wanted to scream, but no sound came out.


    All she could do was wait for death to im her.


    ...


    Hearing footsteps outside, Debra tensed involuntarily.


    The door creaked open momentster. A man stepped inside and stopped in front of her.


    Debra''s breath caught in her throat when she saw his face. He looked strikingly simr to Juan, except he was older.


    "How are you feeling?" Jeffrey asked courteously.


    Debra''s shoulder throbbed with pain. She knew she couldn''t fight them.


    "There''s no one else here, Mr. Nichols. If you have questions, just ask me directly," she said.


    "You know who I am?" Jeffrey raised a brow in mild surprise.


    Debra didn''t respond. She wasn''t entirely sure, but this face alone gave her a strong hunch.


    In her previous life, she had loved


    Juan


    os voch. So much so thamet


    she had taken the initiative to learn


    about him. Copern


    She had seen old photos of Jeffrey, even though Juan never mentioned him in front of her. But never had


    she imagined that Jeffrey wat


    dead. Far from it, he had been orchestrating everything from the shadows all along.


    "I mean you no harm. Juan is my


    son, and know he cares for youret y smiled. "If you could et


    over, would you be with him?"


    "I would not." Debra''s response was cold and unwavering.


    Jeffrey was dazed because Debra''s resolute look resembled that of udia.


    udia had been like this when Melody asked her if she was willing to give up everything to marry into the Nichols family.