Chapter 3

[System,] I called out to it in my mind.

[I'm here, host,] the System replied.

I took a deep breath and asked, [How much longer until all of Harrison's assets are transferred?]

[The entire asset transfer process will take another 36 hours. You must stay legally married during this time.

[If the marriage is ended early, any assets not yet transferred will be lost,] the System explained.

It looked like I had to tough it out for now. I let out a self-deprecating chuckle and made my way straight to the maid's room.

I pushed open a narrow wooden door with peeling paint, and was immediately hit by the musty smell and dust.

The room was pathetically small. There was a narrow single bed and a battered old wardrobe. There wasn't even a window.

"Mr. Guzman, your wife is so obedient, like a loyal little puppy," Samantha remarked.

"That's all thanks to my training," Harrison replied with a smirk. "From now on, treat this place as your own. If you need anything, order her around."

"Mr. Guzman, you're really the best," Samantha gave him a coquettish glance.

I could hear the two of them flirting shamelessly. I stepped into the room and closed the door behind me, shutting out those obnoxious sounds.

The next morning, I was jolted awake by the sound of the door being kicked open.

Samantha stood outside, arms crossed and chin raised. "Slept well, huh? Typical. Even someone as pathetic as you can get a good night's sleep in a doghouse."

I kept my eyes lowered and didn't say a word.

She looked pretty satisfied with my silence. "You've got twenty minutes. I want breakfast ready, and make it spicy. Every dish, drown it in chili."

The lingering scent of her perfume mixed with the musty air in the maid's room made me feel nauseated.

I stayed still. Harrison frowned, giving me a shove. "Did you go deaf or something? Didn't you hear Samantha say she's hungry?"

I glanced at him, my throat tight and dry. "I'm allergic to chili. It's really bad."

Harrison scoffed. "Seriously? Another allergy? Is there anything you're not allergic to? You act like a princess, but you're not one. If you won't do it, get out of this house."

I couldn't leave him, not now. I bit down on my tongue to keep my anger in check. "Got it."

I grabbed my allergy medicines, swallowed two pills, and headed into the kitchen.

Half an hour later, I placed three plates of spicy pasta on the table.

Samantha took a bite of the pasta. The next second, her hand flew to her mouth as she retched, unable to hold it back.

She spat out the chewed pasta, and it landed all over me.

The atmosphere was suffocating.

Samantha's eyes were swollen and red from crying, looking like a helpless bunny as she buried herself in Harrison's arms. "Mr. Guzman, that food made me feel awful."

Harrison carefully settled her onto the couch. His face thunderous with rage, he stormed over and seized my wrist hard. "What the hell did you put in that food?"

I looked up at his furious, contorted face. "I didn't put anything in it."

His hand shot out before I could finish, slapping me hard. The crack echoed through the living room.

My head snapped to the side, my ears ringing, and my cheek burned with pain.

"Still trying to lie to me? Go on. Eat every last bit of this. Not a single crumb left," Harrison ordered.

He gripped my hand so tightly that his fingers dug into the web between my thumb and index finger, the pain leaving me speechless.

With his other hand, he pressed down on the back of my neck, forcing my head down.

"Are you going to eat it yourself, or do I have to feed it to you?" His voice was so cold that it made me shiver.

I pushed myself up with my elbows, pain shooting through my body. My eyes landed on the three plates. The chili con carne looked like pools of molten lava.

My hands shook so badly that I could barely hold the fork. With great effort, I took a bite of the pasta and forced it into my mouth.

Tears streamed down uncontrollably, blurring my vision.

I chewed and swallowed mechanically, each gulp feeling like I was swallowing a red-hot blade.

Once again, my skin broke out in angry red welts, spreading fast. My breath came in short, desperate gasps as I started choking and coughing hard.

Harrison got up, keeping Samantha close and making sure her coat was straightened.

When he walked past me, he stopped for a second. "You'd better hope nothing happens to her. Otherwise, I'll make your life a living hell."

Alone in the living room, my body turned to jelly and I collapsed in a heap. I sat there, rigid and trembling uncontrollably, unable to stop the shaking that wracked my whole body.

The System's voice sounded. [Extreme humiliation and severe physical harm detected. Final stage of asset transfer accelerating.]

[Current progress: 99%]

My swollen, distorted face was reflected in the polished marble floor, a twisted smile still lingering on my lips.

Finally, everything was over soon.