Chapter 1
I'd been married to Shawn Lynn for three years. Everyone said he was madly in love with me.
He stood by me through my darkest days.
He even nearly lost his life shielding me when that bully girl tried to run me over with her car.
But only I knew the truth that he didn't love me.
I once witnessed Shawn gently pull that bully, Anna White, into his arms and murmur, "I understand. It wasn't your fault."
***
I first noticed Shawn's betrayal on my 24th birthday.
After dinner that night, I walked my colleagues out.
I was just about to hail a cab home when suddenly, someone grabbed me from behind and clamped a hand over my mouth and nose.
The street at this late hour was quiet, with only a few scattered people passing by.
No matter how hard I fought and screamed for help, it was as if I were invisible—no one glanced my way.
I was dragged into the restaurant's women's restroom, and a bucket of filthy mop water was dumped over my head, drenching me in its disgusting stench.
The coldness seeped deep into my bones, chilling me to the core.
A stinging slap landed on my face before I could even flinch.
One side of my face burned as if set aflame, and I could taste the metallic tang of blood in my mouth.
A woman's venomous voice came from above me. "You little bitch! Who do you think you are to have anyone celebrate your birthday with you?"
A filthy rag was shoved into my mouth.
Behind me, a man pinned me to the floor.
I thrashed desperately, but no sound came out.
Anna White pointed her phone camera at me, then leaned in close, scrutinizing my face with malicious intensity.
Her eyes burned with venomous hatred, her expression like a striking viper—its gaze coiling around my neck, suffocating me.
Anna shot a meaningful glance, and one of the men pinning me down stood up. He approached, reaching for my already soaked coat.
I caught the sickening leer in the man's eyes and instinctively curled up, shrinking back from him.
Anna yanked me by the hair and shoved me straight into the man's arms.
Anna sneered, "Jocelyn, Shawn is out of the country. Do you really think you could get away tonight?"
Her words were cut short as the restroom door—barricaded with cleaning supplies—was violently kicked open from the outside.
I looked up to see Shawn storm in, his face clouded with rage.
Blood was dripping from his hand, though I had no idea how he'd gotten hurt.
Beads of sweat glistened at his temples, clear evidence of his frantic rush to return.
As I looked at him, all the fear and resentment I'd been suppressing came surging out at once.
Shawn lowered himself and enveloped me in his jacket, shielding me from the world.
He sent the man who'd been dragging me crashing to the floor with a brutal kick.
Before Anna could react, Shawn struck her across the face with a sharp slap.
Fury contorted Shawn's face as he roared, his voice dripping with lethal menace. "Anna White, I've warned you before—don't you dare lay another finger on Joss."
Shawn bent down, scooped me up in his arms, and carried me out.
Anna was unfazed by the slap. Instead, she let out a mocking laugh and said, "So what if I did it again? What are you gonna do about it?"
As Shawn carried me outside, he suddenly stopped his steps at Anna's words.
Maybe I was just imagining it, but I felt his body tense up.
Anna's taunting words lit a fire of hatred and defiance within me.
Gradually snapping out of my fear, I forced out the words, my voice trembling. "Shawnie, I want to call the police."
Shawn tightened his embrace around me yet ultimately didn't turn back.
He strode out, responding, "I'll have my lawyer handle this. Joss, you're hurt. Let me get you to the hospital first."
Just then, a shrill scream pierced the air behind me.
Then came Anna's hysterical shriek. "Look, Shawn, I'm hurt too, and way worse. I need to go to the hospital as well."
Shawn stopped in his tracks once again.
He glanced back, his arms tightening around me abruptly until I could barely breathe.
But he ignored Anna and carried me away without hesitation.
I didn't want to just leave like this, but my whole body was cold and aching, and I couldn't make a sound.
I passed out, and Shawn took me to the hospital.
When I woke up, I was lying in a hospital bed, doing an IV drip.
Shawn stood by the window, his back to me, talking on the phone.
I could hear his voice right beside me, yet at that moment, it suddenly felt a world away.
Shawn said calmly, "Don't call the police. Just... get Anna a doctor."
For a moment, I was stunned, almost wondering if I was hallucinating.
I didn't come back to my senses until I heard Shawn speak again.
He added, "No need to search. She's definitely still in that restaurant's restroom.
"She's stubborn as a mule. If I don't send someone to get her, she won't leave."