Chapter 4
Adrian stood up and yelled at the servants around him.
"Drag this crazy woman to the woodshed and lock her up!
"No food, no water!
"She stays there until she hands over the money and bows to Amelia, begging for forgiveness!"
Amelia walked over and slipped her arm through Adrian's, her eyes full of worry as she checked his injury.
"Adrian, you're bleeding a lot...
"How could Serena do something so heartless? This is really going to leave a scar."
She turned to me, a hint of smug satisfaction flickering in her eyes, though she was putting on a show of concern.
Amelia said, "Serena, why don't you just give in?
"Hand over the money so Adrian can get his wound treated. It'll bring some blessings to our child, too.
"Don't worry. Once the baby's born, I'll let him call you godmother."
I stared at her hypocritical face and spat out a single cold word.
"Scram."
Amelia looked utterly devastated, her eyes welling up with tears as she snuggled into Adrian's arms, sobbing softly.
Amelia sniffled, "Adrian, does Serena... does she think less of me because of my background?
"But... but my feelings for you are genuine..."
Adrian was completely taken in by her act. He pulled Amelia into his arms and comforted her softly.
"Just ignore that crazy woman.
"She's just jealous of you, jealous that you're young, beautiful, and carrying my child.
"Once I've squeezed every last cent out of her, I'll sell her off to a brothel. Let's see how tough she is then!"
His words sent a chill down my spine.
It hit me like a slap.
So this was my husband.
This was the good man I once believed him to be.
It turned out that I was not even a person in his eyes. I was just something he could use and throw away, a walking wallet.
I was hauled off to the backyard by two old women, dragged along like some lifeless corpse.
As I passed by the scattered pile of my dowry, I saw the old woman barking orders at the servants, directing them to haul everything into her own courtyard.
"This is mine! That's mine too!" she shouted.
"Be careful! Don't chip it!"
"Oh my, this is top-grade jade! We've struck gold!"
Her greed was glaring in the sunlight.
I closed my eyes, etching every detail of this scene into my memory.
The more they enjoyed taking what was mine, the more it'd hurt when they had to give it all back.
The woodshed was dark and damp, filled with a musty smell.
I was tossed onto a pile of musty straw, and the door slammed shut behind me, the lock turned with a loud click.
Total darkness swallowed me up.
The only light came from a small window high up, just a faint sliver of light filtering in.
With great effort, I sat up and pulled the secret letter from inside my clothes.
Luckily, in all that chaos, I fought desperately to keep it safe.
The wax seal was still there, a royal mark. Holding this letter was like holding the king's authority in my hands.
As long as I had it, no one could deny who I really was.
But now, I was trapped here. No matter how loud I called for help, no one would answer.
The palace servants were being held in the front courtyard, and I had no idea if they were even alive.
My father's men were on their way, but the Carter Mansion was isolated and remote. If Adrian truly wanted me dead, or decided to move me somewhere else, the outcome would be disastrous.
I had to find a way to buy some time.
Darkness settled over the mansion.
The woodshed was bitterly cold, like a tomb of ice.
I curled up in the corner, cold and hungry, every bone aching.
Suddenly, footsteps approached outside, then came the sound of the door opening.
The door opened.
Adrian walked in, holding a lantern.
In his hand was a bowl of leftovers, a few meat bones thrown on top, like he was tossing scraps to a dog.
"Hungry?" Adrian said, his voice dripping with contempt.
He flung the bowl onto the floor, towering over me with a cold, mocking look.
He said, "Go on, eat.
"Amelia made sure to save this for you.
"Amelia said you're too delicate to be left starving."
I didn't even glance at the bowl, just fixed him with a frosty stare.
"Adrian, what exactly do you want?" I asked.
Adrian crouched down, the lantern casting a harsh light over my disheveled state. A twisted satisfaction flickered in his eyes as he took in my misery.
He sneered, "What do I want?
"Serena, truth is, I never wanted to treat you this way.
"After all, we've been married for three years. I still care about you."
He reached out, trying to touch my face, but I pulled away in disgust.
Unfazed, he withdrew his hand and took out a sheet of paper from inside his coat.
"Just stamp your fingerprint here and hand over your entire dowry to me," he said.