The Soulless Duchess

My life ended in agony the moment I discovered the devastating reality—my betrothed had been secretly involved with none other than my own cousin. The betrayal cut deeper than any blade ever could.

Then, on the dawn following my twentieth birthday, something extraordinary occurred. It was as if fate itself intervened, granting me a second chance. From that day forward, I vowed never to trust in love again. The pain had seared my heart, leaving behind only cold resolve. No more illusions, no more vulnerability—just the unshakable certainty that love was nothing but a fleeting illusion, destined to crumble.

I would no longer be the naive woman who believed in fairy tales. Instead, I embraced the emptiness, letting it shield me from further heartbreak. The world had shown me its cruelty, and I would not forget.