Chapter 2
As soon as I stepped out, I couldn't hold back the nausea anymore. I leaned over the sink, puking my guts out.
I gave a bitter chuckle.
No matter how much I drank or how many cigarettes I smoked, that stench always made me sick.
Just like when I was nineteen, I loved Henry with everything I had. But I ended up getting burned for it.
Henry and I first met thanks to a classic rescue: the hero saving the girl.
I was trapped in an alley by some thugs when he came to my rescue.
He'd run miles just to buy my favorite cake, make me coffee when I was suffering from illness, and follow behind me every day on my way home.
It was all those little gestures that made me fall for him.
The day I got my acceptance letter from Roynfort Film Academy's Acting Department, Henry came over to celebrate with me.
With the influence of alcohol and Henry egging me on, I gave in and lost my virginity that night.
But the very next day, my world collapsed.
Intimate footage of Henry and me was leaked online.
My dad had a heart attack from the shock and died.
My mom couldn't handle the shock and had a breakdown.
My dream of becoming an actress was shattered overnight.
Just like that, I fell from grace. I was once the best student, but now I was a slut that everyone hated.
My reputation was in ruins, and my family was torn apart—all of it, Henry made sure I paid the price.
After a long time, I found out that Henry had done this for the sake of his first love.
He had a childhood sweetheart, Sophie Miller.
Sophie's father used to be my dad's assistant, but he was sent to prison for stealing critical company documents.
Her mom couldn't handle the fallout and ended up taking her own life.
On the eve of Henry's engagement, Sophie left behind a note and vanished. No one ever heard from her again.
Henry hated my father for wrecking his future with Sophie, and he took out all that vengeance on me.
I was lost in thought, replaying everything in my mind, when someone's body leaned on my back.
I jolted, instinctively trying to pull away.
But a familiar voice froze me in place.
"Vivian, after all these years, I never thought you'd become a bar girl," said Henry.
I turned my head, met Henry's mocking gaze, and shot back, "Isn't this exactly what you wanted?
"What, not happy to see me like this?"
Something I said must've struck a nerve. His eyes darkened with anger.
Ignoring my struggles, he pinned me between the door and his body.
His wet kisses landed all over my cheek.
The nausea came roaring back. I bit down hard on his ear, and I tasted blood.
But Henry was like a beast gone mad, hell-bent on teaching me a lesson.
He didn't let go until I was gasping for air. My body was limp and weak.
Then he yanked me in front of the mirror, spitting venom. "Once a whore, always a whore. Just a few kisses and you lose it."
Through the foggy mirror, I finally got a good look at myself.
I was wearing heavy makeup, a skimpy skirt, and my eyes were bloodshot from all the strain.
It was a far cry from the obedient, privileged girl I once was.
My eyes suddenly welled up.
I asked, "Henry, it's been five years. Why won't you just let me go?
"Is it only if I die that you'll finally leave me and my family alone?"
As soon as I said it, Henry's fingers trembled.
But then, his hold tightened. He spat, "Are you threatening me?
"Other men can touch you, but I'm not allowed?
"Don't forget. I was your first man. I'm the one who made this sensitive body of yours."
I couldn't bear it any longer, so I turned around and slapped him hard.
This time, Henry didn't try to stop me. He just stood there, watching me leave with gloomy eyes.