Chapter 2

I came from nothing. I'd heard every kind of ridicule and insult before. I used to be insecure, always afraid people would point fingers and call me that wild girl from the countryside.

But my pride was nothing compared to my mother's life.

Now, I could stand straight and face all the scorn head-on.

It didn't matter. For my mother, I could let go of everything.

Maybe my expression wasn't pitiful enough for Felicia. She suggested sweetly, "Evan, her clothes are so ugly. Why not make her take them off?"

I looked up, stunned. Evan smiled. "Felicia, anything you want."

"Evan," I said. "Did you know I was pregnant?"

"Going how?" He sounded indifferent. "No one's forcing you. Leave if you don't want to."

We'd known each other for nearly ten years. Even if the love was gone, I never thought he'd humiliate me like this.

That boy who once looked at me like I was his whole world had been washed away by time, leaving behind this hateful stranger.

My eyes burned, but I held back the tears. Slowly, I took off my outer shirt, leaving only a thin tank top.

"Is that all?" Felicia sounded disappointed, raising her voice on purpose. "Melantha, even if you stripped naked and begged here, Evan wouldn't spare you a glance. Save it."

Countless eyes were fixed on me, disgust mixed with hunger, whispers, and snickers. Someone even shouted, "Since Mr. Collins doesn't want you, why not come with me? Three thousand a month, how's that?"

The crowd roared with laughter.

In my five years married to Evan, I hadn't made a single friend. These people thought they were above me. Polite on the surface, but never actually seeing this country girl as their equal.

My ears rang. I dug my nails into my palms, refusing to let the tears fall.

I repeated to myself, 'Melantha, it's okay. It doesn't matter.'

Under the scorching sun, I begged from noon until night, until the engagement party ended. Felicia helped a drunk Evan stop in front of me.

"Looks like you're not doing so well," he said coldly, sneering. "You should see yourself right now."

"I did what you asked," I said calmly, meeting his eyes. "Is that enough?"

"You're just pathetic." He stared at me, smiling, then leaned down close. "What you owe me... you'll never repay it."

"What else do you want?" I pleaded desperately. "You know if my mother..."

"I changed my mind," he cut me off coldly, straightening up and looking away. "How about a few more kowtows? Maybe I'll reconsider."

Without hesitation, I began to knock my head against the ground. Felicia's laughter rang in my ears. "Evan, your ex really has no shame."

The marble was hard. Soon, my forehead was bleeding. My vision turned red, but I felt no pain, just numbness. "Is that enough?"

"Not enough." His voice turned vicious. "Get out of here. I don't want to see you."

"Evan, don't go." I reached out and grabbed his pant leg, my voice shaking uncontrollably. "Please."

Evan paused, then laughed loudly. "Did I hear that right? Melantha, what did you say?"

He laughed so hard that tears almost came to his eyes.

"Please, Evan." Tears finally fell. "I shouldn't have crossed you. I know I was wrong. Please, give it back."

"Melantha, who are you trying to fool? You think I'd still feel sorry for you?" His expression twisted with rage as he grabbed my face, almost snarling, "You deserve this."

My vision blurred with blood and tears. I couldn't see his face clearly. He quickly let go, standing up straight. "Get lost!"

He turned and walked away without looking back. I reached out, just barely brushing the hem of his pants. Then Felia kicked me hard, and I went down.

Her sharp heel stomped on my fingers. I curled up in pain as she crouched, smiling innocently. "Melantha, just give up. Instead of humiliating yourself here, you should go home and plan your mother's funeral."

In that instant, all the blood rushed to my head. With strength I didn't know I had, I lunged at her, choking her neck, screaming hoarsely, "Say that again!"

Her face turned red, but she silently mouthed the words. 'You and your mother both deserve to die.'

"Melantha. What are you doing?" Evan rushed over, yanking me away. "Are you insane?"

Security guards pinned me hard against the ground. My eyes burning, I watched him shield Felicia in his arms, watched Felicia smirk at me triumphantly.