The child that my friend gave birth to was the main character of a fantasy novel that I read in my previous life. Not long after his birth, this poor child grew up with an indifferent father and suffered from abuse at the hands of his stepmother. He left home only to proudly return when he became an adult and convict the wicked stepmother.
"He's such a pretty child, and I feel sorry for him. If it weren't for Amanda."
[What?] My foot steps while holding the child stopped.
[Amanda... Amanda...] Amanda, that was the main character's mother's childhood friend, a native of a Korean-American family. That was my name.
"I'll be the Duchess for Marilyn, at least for her sake."
And, maybe, she can be a step mother who doesn't pick on this child? How to not be the evil stepmother, Amanda, abuse this child even if she dies. Can Amanda be a good stepmother? Can the Duke, a cold northern man who blows a cold wind, and Amanda be good parents?
The Story is not mine and for offline reading purposes only. :)
If you want to read the original, please visit
https://vicious-stepmother.carrd.co/
Just when she's decided to leave the Town, Lady Cressida Belverst is forced to marry Lord Calan Haverston, the man who coincidentally knows a way out. Agreeing to marry for all the wrong reasons, can Cressida and Calan find out where their hearts truly belong?
***
It is impossible to leave the Town, but one woman is determined to escape with the help of her betrothed.
Lady Cressida Belverst has always been judged as a walking scandal. Oh, how she tries (on some rare occasions) to be proper! When her parents arrange for her to marry a rich lord, Cressida has had enough. She has to leave the Town because she will not be forced to live with a man she doesn't love. But what happens if the very man she's betrothed to is the only one who can help her get out?
Calan Haverston, the Lord of Easton, takes the risk and helps his betrothed by using his knowledge of the Town's secrets because he is as willing as she to stay free of marriage for reasons completely different. He has dark secrets he cannot share with her, and his life is not one he can likewise open to anyone. But what happens when she leaves after awakening desires he thought he has under control? And what happens when he finds himself longing for her?
Cressida goes to a completely different place, one she has only heard in stories and read in books, with hopes of finding what her heart has always longed for. But love, mystery and secrets will chase her and it will only be a matter of time before she realizes what her heart truly desires.
*This story is a standalone title in the Haverston Family series.