Chapter 2 · I Messed Up Big Time

The next day, I woke up around noon, my whole body aching like I'd been hit by a truck.

Every muscle screamed in protest, and I couldn't lift a finger.

Sunlight streamed in through the gap in the curtains.

The spot next to me was already empty, but the lingering chill on the sheets was a stark reminder of the wild night we'd had.

Damn bastard. What a jerk.

All that talk about being some cold, untouchable saint. What a load of crap. It was all an act.

Last night, he kept me up until three in the morning.

Every time I cried and begged him to stop, he'd grit his teeth and whisper in my ear, "Still think I'm useless? How do I compare to those other husbands now?"

I sat up, rubbing my sore waist, and immediately spotted my handbag lying on the floor, with cards scattered everywhere.

The black unlimited secondary card was quietly lying right by my feet.

My phone was buzzing like crazy by my pillow, the screen lighting up with Sophie's name.

My hand was shaking as I hit the answer button.

Sophie's voice was practically screaming through the phone. "Lily. Where were you last night? I sent you dozens of messages, and you never replied.

"What happened after you sent that voice message by accident? Did your husband freak out? He didn't hurt you, did he?"

Hearing how frantic Sophie sounded, I quietly moved the phone away from my ear.

"He didn't hit me," I croaked, my voice hoarse.

"Why do you sound like that? Did you catch a cold or something?" Sophie asked.

"No," I replied.

I closed my eyes and slumped against the headboard, feeling completely drained.

"He didn't hit me. He treated me like a rag doll and wore me out all night," I said.

There was a dead silence on the other end for three seconds.

Then, Sophie's scream nearly blew out my eardrums.

"Holy crap. Are you serious? Edward, that cold-hearted boss? He actually went for it?" Sophie shrieked.

"He took it seriously. He threw the black card at me and said I can't leave the house today unless I max out ten million dollars on it," I croaked.

I stared blankly at the card on the floor.

"No way. Is this for real? Lily, you're about to hit the jackpot. Come on, get out here. I'll take you to that spa we missed last night, and then we'll splurge like crazy at the luxury stores." Sophie yelled.

Half an hour later, I stepped out in a high-neck, long-sleeved dress, covering up all the marks on my neck, and slipped out the door in my slippers.

As I walked into the living room, I spotted a thermos on the dining table, with a note tucked under it.

Edward's handwriting, sharp and stylish, always with his black pen, stood out on the note: [There's bird's nest soup inside. Drink it while it's hot. Keep the black card close.

[I want to see a spending alert by 3 PM. If you don't max it out, we'll keep going tonight.]

I gripped the note so hard, I almost tore the corner of the paper.

That's a threat. A blatant, in-your-face threat.

What am I, your personal ATM or something?

I picked up the bird's nest soup and took a big gulp, my eyes narrowing with determination. 'Alright, Edward. You think I don't spend your money. Watch me burn through your cash till it hurts.'

Ten minutes later, Sophie and I met up at the city's biggest luxury mall.

I strutted into a jewelry store I'd never dared to step inside before, holding the black card with my head held high.

The saleswoman glanced at my logo-free dress, her eyes showing a hint of aloofness.

"Madam, how can I help you?" she asked.

I slapped the black card down on the counter, channeling Edward's swagger from last night, and pointed at the priciest diamond necklaces in the glass case.

"This one, this one, and that one," I said.

The saleswoman was taken aback. "Which one would you like to try on?"

I scoffed and waved my hand like I owned the place. "Who needs to try them on? Pack them all up. And those limited-edition bracelets over there, every single one in my size- put them in the bag."

The saleswoman stared in shock.

Sophie was clapping beside me. "Mrs. Shaw, you're a total badass."

Ten minutes later, my phone buzzed with a text message: [Transaction successful: one point three million dollars.]

Less than thirty seconds later, Edward's message popped up: [Only one point three million dollars. Lily, are you trying?]

I nearly choked when I saw his message. 'Alright, so it's not enough for you. I'm going to spend till it hurts.'

Chapter 2

The next day, I woke up around noon, my whole body aching like I'd been hit by a truck.

Every muscle screamed in protest, and I couldn't lift a finger.

Sunlight streamed in through the gap in the curtains.

The spot next to me was already empty, but the lingering chill on the sheets was a stark reminder of the wild night we'd had.

Damn bastard. What a jerk.

All that talk about being some cold, untouchable saint. What a load of crap. It was all an act.

Last night, he kept me up until three in the morning.

Every time I cried and begged him to stop, he'd grit his teeth and whisper in my ear, "Still think I'm useless? How do I compare to those other husbands now?"

I sat up, rubbing my sore waist, and immediately spotted my handbag lying on the floor, with cards scattered everywhere.

The black unlimited secondary card was quietly lying right by my feet.

My phone was buzzing like crazy by my pillow, the screen lighting up with Sophie's name.

My hand was shaking as I hit the answer button.

Sophie's voice was practically screaming through the phone. "Lily. Where were you last night? I sent you dozens of messages, and you never replied.

"What happened after you sent that voice message by accident? Did your husband freak out? He didn't hurt you, did he?"

Hearing how frantic Sophie sounded, I quietly moved the phone away from my ear.

"He didn't hit me," I croaked, my voice hoarse.

"Why do you sound like that? Did you catch a cold or something?" Sophie asked.

"No," I replied.

I closed my eyes and slumped against the headboard, feeling completely drained.

"He didn't hit me. He treated me like a rag doll and wore me out all night," I said.

There was a dead silence on the other end for three seconds.

Then, Sophie's scream nearly blew out my eardrums.

"Holy crap. Are you serious? Edward, that cold-hearted boss? He actually went for it?" Sophie shrieked.

"He took it seriously. He threw the black card at me and said I can't leave the house today unless I max out ten million dollars on it," I croaked.

I stared blankly at the card on the floor.

Half an hour later, I stepped out in a high-neck, long-sleeved dress, covering up all the marks on my neck, and slipped out the door in my slippers.

As I walked into the living room, I spotted a thermos on the dining table, with a note tucked under it.

Edward's handwriting, sharp and stylish, always with his black pen, stood out on the note: [There's bird's nest soup inside. Drink it while it's hot. Keep the black card close.

[I want to see a spending alert by 3 PM. If you don't max it out, we'll keep going tonight.]

I gripped the note so hard, I almost tore the corner of the paper.

That's a threat. A blatant, in-your-face threat.

What am I, your personal ATM or something?

I picked up the bird's nest soup and took a big gulp, my eyes narrowing with determination. 'Alright, Edward. You think I don't spend your money. Watch me burn through your cash till it hurts.'

Ten minutes later, Sophie and I met up at the city's biggest luxury mall.

I strutted into a jewelry store I'd never dared to step inside before, holding the black card with my head held high.

The saleswoman glanced at my logo-free dress, her eyes showing a hint of aloofness.

"Madam, how can I help you?" she asked.

I slapped the black card down on the counter, channeling Edward's swagger from last night, and pointed at the priciest diamond necklaces in the glass case.

"This one, this one, and that one," I said.

The saleswoman was taken aback. "Which one would you like to try on?"

I scoffed and waved my hand like I owned the place. "Who needs to try them on? Pack them all up. And those limited-edition bracelets over there, every single one in my size- put them in the bag."

The saleswoman stared in shock.

Sophie was clapping beside me. "Mrs. Shaw, you're a total badass."

Ten minutes later, my phone buzzed with a text message: [Transaction successful: one point three million dollars.]

Less than thirty seconds later, Edward's message popped up: [Only one point three million dollars. Lily, are you trying?]

I nearly choked when I saw his message. 'Alright, so it's not enough for you. I'm going to spend till it hurts.'