Chapter 2
"Aileen," Kevin said, his voice low, tinged with desperation and a hint of pleading. "Don't cause trouble in front of everyone. I promised you a month, and I'll keep my word. Trust me this once, okay?"
Aileen spat out blood-tinged saliva.
Trust? She thought that word was the biggest joke ever.
There was twenty-nine days left.
She'd simply treat these last twenty-nine days as the final interest she'd pay back for those seven wasted years.
"Fine, I'll trust you," Aileen said, wiping the blood from her mouth and forcing her swaying self upright. "In twenty-nine days, I'll be waiting for you to show up at the Murdock family and ask for my hand."
Using the last of her strength to get the words out, Aileen turned and walked away.
She couldn't stand to stay here for another second.
But in the very next instant, an iron grip locked around her wrist.
Kevin had grabbed her.
"You still haven't apologized to Ena." Kevin's eyes went icy again. "This is her big day. You hit her, and you think you can simply walk away?"
Aileen turned back, staring at him as if he were someone she'd never met before.
"You want me to apologize to her?" Aileen gave a cold laugh. "Kevin, I'd die before I ever do that."
"You don't get to decide," Kevin said, his voice cold and unyielding.
Kevin's gaze locked onto Aileen's stubborn face, and he suddenly raised his voice. "Guards!"
Several bodyguards rushed forward, twisting Aileen's arms behind her back with brutal force in front of hundreds of guests.
"She offended you," Kevin said, turning to Ena with a tone so gentle it made people sick. "Ena, vent your anger however you want today. Don't worry about anything. I'll deal with the Murdock family."
Ena leaned into Kevin's arms, tilting her head up.
"Really? I can deal with her any way I want?" she asked.
Kevin shot Aileen a cold glance and nodded.
Ena flashed a bright, innocent smile, so carefree and harmless.
She strolled right up to Aileen, who was still pinned by the bodyguards.
She said, "Aileen, I'm hosting a solo photography show soon, and I happen to need a model. With a face like yours, how about you help me out and pose for a few shots today? Think of it as your apology, okay?"
Aileen's heart dropped like a stone.
Ena leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper, meant for Aileen alone. "But what I really need is a model for some boudoir shots. If you beg me and admit you were wrong to hit me, maybe I'll tell Kevin to let you off the hook."
At that, Aileen's stomach twisted with disgust, making her want to throw up.
Since childhood, Ena always hid behind that angelic face, backing Aileen into a corner every single time.
At the orphanage, Ena set her up for stealing.
Once they joined the Murdock family, Ena started spreading nasty rumors about Aileen's reputation.
No matter how hard Aileen tried to defend herself, everyone only believed the adorable Ena. With Aileen's fierce looks, they all figured Aileen was born to be trouble.
Aileen squared her shoulders, her voice loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. "Apologize? Ena, the only thing I regret is not slapping you senseless just now.
"You want to undress me for your photoshoot? Sure. Why don't you check your new husband's phone and see how many pictures of me he's got saved in there..."
Before she could finish, Kevin drove his foot hard into Aileen's knee.
Aileen cried out in pain, her legs buckling as she crashed to the floor.
The rest of her words died in her throat.
Kevin's eyes were icy and vicious. Without waiting for Ena to speak, he waved sharply at the bodyguards.
He ordered, "Since Ena wants a model, let her have it. Strip Aileen. Ena can keep shooting until she's bored."
His tone was utterly merciless, not a hint of warmth.
He added, "Aileen's reputation in Brestin City has been ruined for years anyway. Let's strip her in front of everyone and show them what she really has to tempt men."
Despair wrapped itself around Aileen's neck like a choking, inescapable vine.
She lifted her head, her eyes blazing red with fury. "Kevin, strip me yourself. Let everyone see, after seven years in your bed, whose marks are on my body."
Smack!
Another brutal slap cracked across her face.
Kevin's hand snapped her head to the side.
Aileen's ears thundered with a piercing ring.
All her resistance was forced down, stuck in her throat.
A bitter laugh slipped from Aileen's lips.
Just yesterday, she was still holding onto her dreams, dreams that Kevin's marriage was nothing but a family alliance, and that she was the one closest to his heart.
Now, those dreams were shattered.
Like broken glass, they cut her to pieces and left her battered and bleeding.
To Kevin, she wasn't even a real person, just something to satisfy his lust, a plaything he could use and toss aside.
Now that he was bored of her and about to marry his precious Ena, he wanted to rip her dignity apart before throwing her away for good.
Just as the bodyguard's hand was about to grab Aileen's collar, something happened.
A heavy, booming sound thundered through the room.
The solid wood bookshelf lining the wall suddenly tipped over, tumbling straight toward Aileen.