Chapter 2
I really didn't realize how crafty Eric could be.
Someone tracked my location, and just as I began dinner, loud knocks shattered the peace.
"Mia, open up or I'll have someone break the door," the hotel manager warned, not wanting trouble with Eric.
Reluctantly, I opened the door.
Right away, I got slapped hard across the face.
"I've spoiled you enough. Mia, take that tweet down or you'll join Allison six feet under!" he barked.
The burning pain on my face fueled my anger.
"Is Allison dead? You keep cursing her, and she'd be devastated if she knew," I laughed.
"Eric, what kind of man are you? You even can't protect the woman you love, so you bully someone weaker to make me give in."
"You actually hit me over a mistress?" I staggered to my feet, laughing through my tears.
"I'm your legal wife defending my rights. Do you think you run Axia City? The law stands—will you break it, my husband?"
Every word hurt him, whose eyes burned with rage and disgust.
"Mia, I never knew you could be so cruel. Don't expect mercy from me," he spat.
Then he took me away and kept me under lock and key.
He told staff to give me only one glass of water daily.
The post stayed number one on Twitter, leaving Allison no peace.
I kept fainting from hunger, but Eric called the doctor each time to give me a nutritional IV.
"Just keep her alive. Ignore everything else," he ordered.
A maid, feeling sorry for me, tried to give me food, but I refused.
If I wasn't tough on myself, how could I make him suffer more when he hits rock bottom?
We lasted a week without backing down to him.
He tried everything. Even went public claiming his wife had mental issues and that the earlier post was just I slandering Allison.
But nobody bought it.
Allison, frustrated and angry, had to find me.
She walked in, showing the ring Eric gave her.
"Mia, Eric and I are marrying. Be at the wedding," she said smugly.
I sneered, "Bigamy is a crime. You can marry only after I'm dead."
I smiled and said, "I'll never sign those divorce papers. I'll just keep messing with you both."
She stormed out, leaving me with a final threat.
"Mia, you haven't eaten in ages. I'll send someone daily to eat right before you," she sneered.
"Let's see how long you can last!"
After days without food, I collapsed again.
This time, one nutrient injection wasn't enough to wake me.
I vaguely heard the doctor speaking to Eric.
The doctor warned, "Ms. Bennett's condition is critical. Without immediate hospital care, she could die."
Eric sneered, "She acts tough, runs off to hotels, lives like a princess. Starve her until she admits she's wrong."
"Mr. Grant, you're mistaken—Ms. Bennett..." the doctor said nervously.
"I said it! Stop excusing her!" Eric snapped.
My mind went blank, and memories of dating Eric replayed.
"Why did it end like this? We really loved each other, didn't we?" I whispered, heart aching.
"Hurry! The patient's vitals are crashing! Where's the defibrillator? Ready it now!" the doctor shouted.
In a daze, I vaguely heard people scrambling to save me.
"She's conscious! 67, 68... Rescue successful!" someone called.
"They were trying to save me... I almost thought I was going to die," I chuckled bitterly.
The anesthesia hadn't worn off, and my body was completely numb—I couldn't move.
Eric likely never knew I was good at more than coding.
His biggest mistake was locking me in the house where I spent countless lonely nights.
Just before losing consciousness, I sent an SOS to my brother, Farrell Bennett, with a mini device.
Thankfully, he arrived just in time. Luck is on my side.
Mom, Dad, and Farrell were crying at my bedside.