The Marriage of Countess Michelle

Despite being born into the noble Aldaran family, Michelle endured a miserable childhood. After losing his wife, Michelle's father drowned his sorrows and bankrupted the family. He then sold Michelle off to the wealthy Barthelemy family where she suffered horrible mistreatment. Now all grown up, Michelle was arranged to marry into a new family, until the young count Raphael appeared out of nowhere and bought her for an outrageous sum. What is Raphael planning? Why was he willing to pay such an absurd amount? What awaits Michelle at the end of her perilous journey?