Behind Closed Doors of Fate

Chapter 1

In the social circles of Haven City, rumors flew like wildfire. When would Lady Evelyn Montague, the head of the prominent Montague family, finally file for divorce from Sir Cedric Verity?
Sir Cedric Verity still recalled the whispers that floated through the air at that lavish banquet, where women teased and derided Lady Evelyn to her face: “Since Miss Verity clearly doesn’t deserve her station, she might as well step aside and let someone more qualified, like us, have a chance.”
He had been furious, shaking with rage as he exclaimed, “You’re all deluded! I love her! We won’t be getting a divorce!”
In truth, Sir Cedric Verity had been subtly fantasizing about divorcing Lady Evelyn for years.
Three years ago, Lady Evelyn had stumbled upon the shocking realization that she was a character in a book—and worse, the villainous wife of the story's antagonist.
When they had first wed, she had known that in just three years, she would endure a horrific car accident, resulting in amnesia, after which she would encounter her true soulmate—Lady Seraphina Wells.
In the grand scheme, Lady Seraphina was meant to be Lady Evelyn’s destined match. Throughout the tale, Sir Cedric was merely a malicious ex-spouse, destined to meet a pitiful end.
For three years, Sir Cedric had tiptoed through life in a state of paranoia. Just a few more days, and Lady Evelyn would meet the fateful disaster!
His only hope was that Lady Evelyn would have some compassion left and share a generous portion of the divorce settlement with him.
With that money in his pocket, he would buy an entire street in the Town Center and transform it into a luxury nightlife paradise! Living it up in clubs every night would be far better than playing the role of the villain!
But he should have known better than to gloat beside her hospital bed while she lay unconscious, naively expressing his plans so freely…
---
Three years into Lady Evelyn Montague and Sir Cedric Verity’s marriage, she had thought he was nothing but a handsome face with no substance.
Then she heard it—a confession from Cedric while she was in the hospital, unconscious. He had blurted out with a kind of glee that he was praying for their divorce.
It was then that she realized just how deceitful he had been…
**This story is also known as:** *What’s It Like to Dance on the Edge of Destruction*, *Why Does My Wife Look at Me So Weirdly?*, *Is She Planning to Poison Me?*
**Little Skits:**
Before the Car Accident—
Sir Cedric Verity wept earnestly, “Lady Evelyn Montague, I can’t leave you! Please, don’t divorce me!”
Lady Evelyn Montague had stared coldly, “Not a chance.”
After the Car Accident—
Sir Cedric Verity was a completely different man, exclaiming, “Please, just sign the divorce papers already! Don’t hold me back from my dream of opening a bar!”
Lady Evelyn Montague: “…”
**Theme:** In the cracks of adversity, relying on sheer absurdity to carve out a path to wealth!
**[Story Continues]**

Chapter 2

Sir Cedric Verity was savoring the luxurious ambiance of The Forty-One Manor when his phone rang. Enjoying a relaxing afternoon at the indoor hot springs, he reclined in a plush white cotton bathrobe, the warm steam enveloping him. A young spa practitioner worked expertly at his temples, the soothing scent of rose oil permeating the air as soft lights cast a warm glow around the room.
Sir Benjamin Ashcroft’s voice crackled through the phone, filled with disbelief. “Lady Evelyn Montague is seriously going to divorce you.”
Cedric hummed, lost in the comfort of the massage. “And? What does it matter?”
“Really? You don’t care? Haven’t you had a crush on her since you were kids? After finally becoming Lady Montague, you’re just going to end up divorced. Aren’t you upset about that?” Sir Benjamin’s frustration was palpable across the line.
“Upset?” Cedric chuckled, his thoughts momentarily drifting as he admired his recently done diamond-encrusted manicure, the real gems sparkling. “What’s there to be upset about?”
“You wouldn’t believe the gossip reeling through this industry. People are saying you’re embarrassing yourself by pursuing her, just waiting for you to be ousted from the Montague family. They’re practically cheering for it, dude.”
Cedric pondered the situation and replied, “Well, maybe they’re not wrong. The Verity family has been knocking at the Montague doors for a while now; I can see why they’d be bitter.”
Sir Benjamin picked up on the unusual calm in Cedric’s voice. “You sound way too relaxed about this.”
Cedric sighed dramatically. “I’m heartbroken, really. I mean, who wouldn’t be? I’m about to become a lonely hermit. A drink tonight might help soothe the heartache from this wealthy lady...”
“You’ve seriously lost the plot. You’re heartbroken and yet can’t stop flaunting your wealth. Get it together,” Benjamin rolled his eyes, exasperation evident. “Meet me tonight at midnight at The Green Boar Tavern. Forget that composed Lady Montague vibe—dress a little sexier. Don’t embarrass me.”
“Alright, I’ll be there.”
Cedric hung up, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. Lady Evelyn Montague finally bringing up divorce after three years of indifferent marriage felt like a breath of fresh air. Those years with her had dragged on like a heavy fog.
Three years prior, when they wed, the Verity family was on the brink of ruin due to a financial downturn, while the Montague family thrived as a real estate powerhouse in the city.
His father had clung to hope and pinned their survival on him.
Marrying Lady Evelyn, the heiress of the Montagues, was a gamble that could bring the Verity family back from the edge.
At that time, Lady Evelyn had been on the brink of death. He knew he might end up married to a woman who was fading fast—if they even made it to the altar at all.
But how could they refuse a wealthy family like the Montagues? In the end, the Verities were the ones in desperate need. So when Lady Evelyn had seemed reluctant during their engagement, it was hardly a shock.
Yet after marrying, Lady Evelyn made a dramatic recovery, surprising everyone, including Cedric himself.
Rumors began swirling that she only agreed to marry him for his supposed ‘good luck’ that revitalized her life.
But could Lady Evelyn really have been so fragile?
Cedric knew all too well that as the romantic lead in the novella “After the Accident, I Finally Found My True Love,” Lady Evelyn was anything but frail.
Her character was destined for a joyous ending with another heroine, Lady Seraphina Wells, living happily ever after in a blissful home filled with laughter and children.
Yes, it was undeniably true—just a month before Cedric’s marriage to Lady Evelyn.

Chapter 3

Lady Evelyn Montague stared into the mirror, taking in the sight of herself—an elegant, poised woman with an affable smile. Yet, as she adjusted her pearls, something felt profoundly off. She realized with startling clarity that she had somehow stepped into the pages of a novel she had once read, where she had once been captivated by its charming characters and tumultuous plots. The truth was disarming: she had become the cruel rival, destined to marry Lady Evelyn Montague—the protagonist she had once idolized.
In the original narrative, the woman who shared her name, also called Sir Cedric Verity, had been a mere pawn in a game of love—one Lady Evelyn had claimed in a desperate attempt to escape her past, seeking salvation through an arranged engagement, which was purely a matter of necessity. But despite Sir Cedric’s relentless seduction attempts—draped in sultry nightwear and brazenly flaunting her charms—Lady Evelyn’s heart was a fortress that Sir Cedric could not penetrate.
The story ignited when a fateful landslide struck while Lady Evelyn was on a scouting excursion. It was during this calamity that she was miraculously rescued by the true heroine of the tale, Lady Seraphina Wells.
Lady Seraphina, pure and innocent, paraded through life with a naive charm, always eager to lend a hand despite her humble beginnings. Even when Lady Evelyn was relegated to a recovery ward after the accident, Lady Seraphina remained by her side, serving tea and offering gentle comfort. She was depicted as “the only spark of color in Lady Evelyn Montague’s otherwise drab existence, a delicate flower—innocent and untainted.” This touch of kindness stirred something within the icy heart of Lady Evelyn, awakening an affection for Lady Seraphina, her salvation.
Yet, Sir Cedric, as Lady Evelyn’s official fiancée, viewed Seraphina’s intrusion into their lives with bitter jealousy. Consumed with envy, she fell deeper into her treacherous path, crafting a series of lowly schemes to torment Lady Seraphina, aiming to reclaim her partner’s affection.
Instead of igniting love, Sir Cedric's antics only proved self-destructive, pushing Lady Evelyn further into Lady Seraphina's embrace.
As fate would have it, Lady Evelyn eventually regained her lost memories, her feelings for Lady Seraphina as unwavering as ever. She believed that while the world held no place for her, Lady Seraphina was the exception—her one true match worthy of her love.
With determination, Lady Evelyn leveraged her powerful connections to guide the unassuming Lady Seraphina through the dizzying heights of the entertainment industry. She poured resources into her career, sculpting Lady Seraphina into a star—a symbol of triumph for small-town girls aspiring to break into the spotlight. In time, Lady Seraphina blossomed into a celebrated actress, embodying the pinnacle of success.
Meanwhile, Sir Cedric, in her relentless pursuit of Lady Seraphina’s downfall, angered Lady Evelyn beyond repair. The day finally came when Lady Evelyn, humiliated and enraged, severed their bonds, casting Sir Cedric out of the Montague estate.
Sir Cedric’s expulsion did not faze Lady Evelyn. As a reader, she understood that the villainess's continuous backstabbing merely served to heighten the drama and conflict of the story—the audience loathed Sir Cedric, and all grievances could be laid at the author's feet.
Yet, Sir Cedric thought it unjust that she was forced to leave empty-handed. The Verity Family had greatly benefited from their marriage to the esteemed Montague Family, and their flourishing partnership had yielded many concessions in various ventures.
Seeing her depart without a rightful claim stung Sir Cedric as a reflection of Lady Evelyn's true nature—a pinch of vindictiveness robbed of empathy.
In the twist of the plot, several antagonists emerged, all enamored with Lady Seraphina and previously wronged by Sir Cedric’s ignorance. With spite and vengeance in their hearts, they united to enact retribution, turning the tides against Sir Cedric, who found herself battered by relentless attacks from those she had previously wronged—a fate that pushed her to the brink of despair.
Ultimately, in a character arc that surprised no one, Sir Cedric underwent a final, cliched transformation. During a climactic moment when both Lady Evelyn and Lady Seraphina found themselves trapped in a burning building, Sir Cedric couldn’t contain her remorse. Bravely, she sacrificed herself to save them, meeting her end in the flames—a last act painting her as a tragic villain who achieved a bittersweet redemption.
As the ashes settled, readers rejoiced, pouring congratulatory comments into the online forum, reveling in the appropriateness of her demise.
From the perspective of a mere reader, Sir Cedric's narrative was a find among the sea of stories laden with the same tired tropes—the quintessential sappy romance featuring a heartless rival on the sidelines. She couldn’t help but confront the audacity of the author for perpetuating such outdated character tropes in a contemporary setting.

Chapter 4

Online comments were relentless, and Sir Cedric Verity found herself furious at the fanatics ripping her apart.
“Fool, if you don’t like it, don’t read it! Just leave!”
“Seriously, what a tool.”
It boiled over for Sir Cedric. Furious and fueled by late-night debates with the author’s die-hard supporters, she found herself engaged in a battle of words, rapidly climbing through three hundred comments.
Ultimately, even the author jumped in to insult her—“You’re such an idiot. How can your mother raise someone so clueless?” With that, Sir Cedric lost it entirely.
Under the guise of a fiery online persona, she launched another round of insults, immortalizing her anger in what would become another three hundred-comment thread.
The next day, still riding the adrenaline from her late-night tirade, she decided to call in sick to work, planning to catch up on much-needed sleep.
But when she opened her eyes next, everything had changed. She found herself transported into the very book she had been arguing about, now inhabiting the persona of Sir Cedric Verity, a villainous character that shared her name.
And as fate would have it, her storyline picked up just a month before she was to wed Lady Evelyn Montague, the book’s protagonist.
The shock left her restless for three days. Uncertain and anxious, she plotted her next moves. Before Little White Lily made her appearance, she resolved to play the demure lady, taking on a typical noblewoman's facade.
The text described Lady Evelyn Montague as coming from an esteemed family, molded by a stringent upbringing. In essence, Evelyn was a long-ensconced figure in a world that made her powerful yet constrained.
The irony wasn’t lost on Sir Cedric; her arch-nemesis was everything she despised—sophisticated and graceful, the very antithesis of the carefree and playful Little White Lily, who was adored for her innocent charm. Cedric made it her mission to stay as far from Evelyn as possible, filling her days wading through various classes, somehow maintaining a façade of shyness whenever they crossed paths.
Each time she met Evelyn, she struck a pose of innocent awkwardness, hoping the noblewoman wouldn’t see through her act. Strangely enough, those icy expressions from Evelyn had everyone else convinced of her timid nature.
One time, Evelyn even called to ask what she was up to. Cedric innocently replied, “Learning to play the suona.” The noblewoman promptly hung up.
Another time, when asked again, she deftly responded with, “Practicing the erhu.” And just like that, the young lady exited the conversation once more.
To be fair, Cedric had little interest in Evelyn as a person. While Evelyn’s refined beauty and disciplined demeanor made her intriguing, Cedric understood that as the antagonist in Evelyn's story, there was no romantic ending for her.
Cedric had other ambitions; she simply wanted to secure Evelyn’s fortune without any personal attachments. Once Evelyn met her tragic fate—an accident that left her memory lost—Cedric would walk away with her riches.
The days passed, and Cedric knew that she just had to hold out a bit longer. Soon, Evelyn would head to Isle Mountain for an inspection and face a calamity that wiped her memories clean. Then Cedric would be free to pursue her own desires, focusing instead on the emerging love subplot involving Little White Lily.
In her daydreams, she envisioned a glamorous new life. With Evelyn gone and free of scandal, she'd take her savings and purchase her own street in the Town Center, populating it with nightclubs that echoed with laughter and music—a true paradise of endless revelry.
“Miss Verity, your skin looks amazing,” a young esthetician chimed in, noticing Cedric’s buoyant mood.
As a trained beauty professional, she knew that clients frequenting high-end places like The Forty-One Manor were part of an elite club. Flattery would pave the way for generous tips if you could make them feel fabulous.
With her heart racing at the thought of the life that awaited her, Sir Cedric Verity put on a show, ready to let her schemes unfold.

Chapter 5

Besides, the woman before him was undeniably beautiful. After her shower, her skin was smooth and delicate, her long fingers pale and slender, her sultry eyes captivating, and her lips a vibrant red. She radiated an alluring charm that seemed to blossom naturally, in stark contrast to the carefully curated elegance she had displayed when she first walked in.
It was almost as if her understated simplicity upon entering was just a facade; now she appeared to be her most authentic self.
Thinking Sir Cedric Verity hadn’t heard her, the young girl lightly massaged her temples while complimenting, “Lady Seraphina, you take such good care of your skin; it’s hard to believe you’re really this age.”
“Isn't that the point? Women hustle day and night to make money, just so they can enhance their appearances,” Sir Cedric Verity replied with a slight sigh, eyes closed, lazily brushing her fingers over her collagen-rich cheeks.
She felt satisfied.
At least during this brief three-year marriage, even if Lady Evelyn Montague was not particularly passionate, she had always been generous, never sparing any expense on her wife. Diamonds, gold jewelry, limited-edition handbags, luxurious cosmetics—Lady Evelyn Montague had her assistant regularly drop them off.
“So, you must be pretty wealthy. Are you in business?” the young girl ventured, her curiosity peeked. “What do you do? Is the pressure intense?”
“Not really, not at all,” Sir Cedric Verity replied, slowly opening her eyes, suddenly smiling at the young girl with an impish glint.
“Really?” the girl exclaimed, surprised. “How can making money be pressure-free?”
“Who can blame me? I married a rich spouse,” Sir Cedric Verity smirked, her expression lazy yet her words shot straight to the heart: “My wife works hard to earn money, and I work hard to spend it.”
“Ugh, that’s just brutal.”
“Well, even if we’re heading for a divorce—”
“What? Your marriage has been that rocky?”
“Sure, but with my looks, I can easily get by.”
“…”
Her bluntness struck a nerve, too real, too harsh.
Sir Cedric Verity said it like it was, eyes sparkling, expressing her true thoughts. Ever since she realized she’d been inexplicably conscripted into a book's world, she dreamed of living happily ever after as a stunning, ordinary bar owner after her divorce.
Yet to the young girl, it really came across as a bit—too smug and showy.
After holding back her feelings for a moment, the young girl, part jealous, part flattering, replied, “Well, you’ve certainly got it made! Who doesn’t want to marry a wealthy person these days? With money, you can maintain that incredible, youthful beauty of yours.”
Hearing the disappointment laced in her words, Sir Cedric Verity graciously switched topics. “So, how old do you think I look now?”
“Eighteen?” she said, a bit insincere, but it was for the tip.
Sir Cedric Verity, however, feigned disbelief, chuckling in satisfaction. “I knew it! Anyone who doesn’t know me would guess I’m just eighteen with this face.”
This spa session brought Sir Cedric Verity unexpected joy. But as the young girl left after putting on her clothes, even receiving a generous four-figure tip, her mood began to tank, and she started questioning life…
When Sir Cedric Verity stepped out of The Forty-One Manor and into her car, she dialed Lady Evelyn Montague.
After three tries, the call finally connected. “Hello?”
The voice on the other end was as cold and emotionless as Lady Evelyn Montague herself.
Sir Cedric Verity summoned all her acting skills, mustering the courage to ask, “Lady Evelyn, do I still have a chance?”
There was a long silence before Lady Evelyn replied, her tone softening slightly, “Why do you ask? Is there any point?”
Sir Cedric paused for a beat before responding, “Then how about we go hiking this weekend?”
Lady Evelyn Montague: “…”
Sir Cedric Verity added, maintaining a neutral expression, “I just got a new camera today, and I wanted to take your picture on the edge of the cliff for memories.”

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