The Last Step - Chapter 4: Lost Hope

On her wedding day, she was humiliated; her status as the legitimate wife was instantly changed into that of a concubine.

“wh***! Marrying you is my life’s shame!” These were the hurtful words that came from her childhood sweetheart, now husband.

….

Jiejie, jiejie, thank you for your sacrifice. Jiejie, if you’re kind then go. Meimei will replace you and take good care of your husband, to help you enjoy the blessings that you are unable to enjoy!” these words spat out by her smiling cousin made her whole body feel cold.

….

“You are shameless! There is no need to say anything! From now on, our Shen family will not have you as our daughter! Someone! Throw out this shameless woman!” These were her relatives?

…

Becoming the target of criticisms, and being submerged in a small lake, she realized that all of this was the result of another person’s scheme – but it was already too late!

…

Instead of dying, she went back to the past, back to where both feelings were still alive and were loving towards each other; back to when she was not yet an orphan but the doted on Di daughter of the Shen family.

No matter what, in this life, she would never allow anyone to hurt the people she loved. And those people who harmed her in the previous life, she would make them pay the price!

- Description from Novelupdates

Arthur Ventrike, a genius second-year at the prestigious Wolkan Royal Academy, hailed to be the most talented in his generation, reaches the Swordsman stage of Knight at just 15 under Grandmaster Thorne Bladesong. But envy strikes when a fifth-year student tries to poison him. Though the plot fails, Arthur is left crippled, his dreams shattered. Just when all hope seems lost, he inherits a Great Sage’s legacy and sets out to become the greatest wizard along with the blessing of an indecent goddess and save the world from an ancient evil.

I am a princess, moreover, I am a fool of a princess.

Born in the imperial palace, my appearance is as average as that of the white radish and cabbages in the fields. Throughout the four seasons of the year, my face is always displaying a dull expression, eyes forever shrouded in haze.

But in reality, I know of the secrets within this palace.

Including hers, his, and theirs.

Just leisurely living my days comfortably in the palace like this, I firmly believe I can continue to play dumb to the end.

Taking your hand, dragging you away. Not leaving you say? Very well, close the doors and release the hounds. (Expressionless face)

He called me his ruin. Then he made me one.Alpha Shiloh's rejection wasn’t just a scar—it was a betrayal. He left me shattered. Broken. And I had to rebuild myself in silence.I almost forgot the way his touch once burned like salvation.Now he’s back.Not to beg forgiveness. To bargain. A deadly mission, he says. He promises freedom.But then presence ignites my wolf into a frenzy. She thrashes, desperate to claim him again. But I remember the coldness in his eyes when he exiled me. The way the pack turned their backs as I crawled into the wilderness, half-dead and wholly broken. Hate simmers hotter than desire.Yet here I am, bargaining with the devil who shattered me. Every moment we share is a lie. He doesn’t know about the shadows I’ve fed, the truth I’ve buried.Or the child.One whisper of its existence, and the pack will paint the forest with my blood.But the closer we get to completing his mission, the harder it is to hide… from him, or from the part of me that still craves him.Freedom has a price.So does vengeance.And I’m not sure which will destroy me first.