His Ward, His Whore, His Regret

Ophelia's POV

In the dark underworld, Matthias Sterling is a feared mob boss and the only family I had left after my parents died. I used to be the girl he cherished, until I turned eighteen and confessed my feelings to him.

From that day on, the tenderness in his eyes turned to disgust. He brought home Rose Hartley and threw me away like trash.

In my past life, someone drugged him with a powerful aphrodisiac. I gave myself to him as the cure, only for him to call me a shameless whore. But when I got pregnant, he married me anyway.

On our wedding day, Rose ran to rival territory heartbroken and ended up dead. When he heard the news, he said nothing. Just finished the ceremony.

When I went into labor, he locked me in the house and said coldly, "If it weren't for you, I would've married her. She wouldn't have run to enemy territory and died."

He blamed everything on me. In the end, I died in childbirth. He wouldn't even let anyone call a doctor.

When I open my eyes again, I'm back on the night that changed everything.

"Get out... everyone get the hell out!"

Matthias's hoarse, strained roar cuts through the heavy oak door. The guards outside stand frozen. No one dares go near.

My eyes snap open. Cold sweat covers my forehead. This isn't the bedroom from my past life. I don't see Matthias's hateful stare. I'm standing in the second-floor hallway of the estate, holding a cup of coffee I was about to bring him.

I've been reborn. Back to the day Matthias got drugged.

In my past life, I rushed in without thinking and gave him my virginity as the cure.

Not this time. I hand the coffee to a maid and pull out my phone. I scroll to Rose's number.

Her sickeningly sweet voice comes through. "Ophelia, it's so late. Is everything okay?"

"Matthias got drugged. South estate, second floor master bedroom. If you want to marry into the Sterling family, get here now."

She clearly wasn't expecting that. Rose knows I've always loved Matthias. She's rubbed it in my face plenty, sabotaged me behind my back. She probably never thought I'd make this call.

"You... what did you say?"

"Ten minutes. If you're not here, I'm calling someone else. He can't wait much longer."

I hang up without waiting for an answer and turn to the guards. "Watch the door. No one goes in except Rose Hartley."

They exchange glances.

I ignore them and walk down the hallway to my room.

Eight minutes later, tires screech outside. Then the sharp click of heels echoes through the hallway.

"Matthias! Matthias, are you in there?" Rose's voice drips with urgency and excitement.

The guards don't stop her. The master bedroom door flies open, then slams shut.

Soon enough, the unmistakable sounds start. They go on for half the night. I sleep better than I have in a long time.

The next morning, I go downstairs for breakfast.

Matthias sits at the head of the table. His shirt hangs open at the collar, showing scratches across his chest. His face looks dark, but there's satisfaction in his expression.

Sitting next to him is Rose, all shy and demure. She's wearing one of his shirts. The red marks covering her neck announce exactly what happened last night.

When she sees me, she smiles smugly. "Lia, thank you so much. If you hadn't called me, Matthias would've..."

"Sure." I don't look up. I sit down and focus on my breakfast.

My indifference makes her face stiffen. She turns to Matthias, her voice dripping with fake concern. "Matthias, does Lia not want me here? I know she grew up with you. Me barging in like this, she must be upset..."

Matthias frowns and looks at me. "What's with the attitude?"

"Rose and I slept together. That means I'm marrying her. She's going to be the lady of this house. Show some respect. Don't use who you are to bully her."

I look up and smile at them. "Uncle, don't worry. I used to be childish, always clinging to you and making trouble for you. But that won't happen anymore."

"I'm happy for you, Uncle."

Matthias freezes. He stares at me, confused. Since I came to live with him, I've always called him Matt. Never Uncle.

Even after he started treating me coldly, I still followed him around, calling him by that nickname.

Hearing me change it now seems to irritate him. "Since you're being so mature about this, Rose is moving into the estate. You'll be taking care of her."

Rose says, all fake concern, "Matthias, don't do that. She's just a kid..."

"It's decided." He's not asking.

I stand and nod politely. "Of course, Uncle. If there's nothing else, I'll go back to my room."

I turn and head upstairs.

I don't acknowledge Matthias's dark stare.

About half an hour later, my door flies open.

Matthias stands in the doorway, his face dark.

I step back instinctively.

He strides in and gets right in my face.

"Why are you calling me Uncle? You never did that before. You pissed at me?"