Chapter 2

I arrived at the address Bill had sent me.

Because I ran into some trouble on the way, I got held up for an hour.

A welcome party was being held for Melissa.

There were flashing lights and booming music.

The crowd was dancing by the pool.

Laughter and cheers rose and fell in waves, echoing all around.

I pushed through the crowd, scanning the sea of faces.

The lights danced wildly, creating a dreamlike, hypnotic atmosphere.

I caught a glimpse of Bill and Melissa.

They sat on the sofa, surrounded by a circle of young people from wealthy families. It was obvious that they were the center of attention.

Bill saw me and flashed a sly smile, like a cat that got the cream.

Melissa sat quietly to the side. The moment her eyes landed on me, they clouded over with a storm of dark, unreadable emotions.

My guard went up instantly.

One of the guys smirked at Bill and said, "Bill, you've won this round. Your little simp is so damn obedient. Even on her wedding night, just one call from you and she comes running. I wonder what Larry would think about that?"

A guy in the crowd cheered, "Bill, you're the man!"

One of the guys at the party whistled and joked, "Damn, I'd kill for a drop-dead gorgeous simp like that!"

Another guy said, "So what if she's drop-dead gorgeous? She still can't hold a candle to Melissa. Melissa's the love of Bill's life."

A barrage of taunts and cutting remarks filled the air.

Melissa's face darkened by the second.

A dark amusement twisted inside me, mingled with utter contempt for both Melissa and Bill.

I was confused why he told Melissa about us after he told me not to.

I thought he was worried that Melissa would be heartbroken after learning the truth.

After he called me over, he just let these people humiliate me. While they were doing so, I felt every word they said was also a slap in Melissa's face.

I felt that it was all because Larry and I put on quite a show at the wedding today.

Though Bill seemed prideful and untouchable, he was so rattled he lost his cool and started contradicting himself.

I approached them, feigning ignorance of the cutting remarks, and fixed my gaze on Bill. My eyes were filled with concern for him.

I walked up to Bill and said in a soft yet determined voice while wearing a look of docile charm, "Bill, I'm here. Do you want me to take you home?"

Bill looked at me, a flicker of playful amusement in his eyes.

He wrapped his arms around me before burying his face in the crook of my neck. With a slurred, teasing voice, he murmured, "Alright. Be a good girl and take me home."

I felt his hot breath on my neck, and a wave of disgust rose in me.

Melissa's face twisted into an ugly scowl as she glared at me.

Before returning from abroad, Melissa had been brimming with confidence, convinced that Bill's world would have no place for me the moment she came back.

However, though Bill had hastily married me off to someone else, it didn't change anything.

My presence still made her feel utterly threatened.

My gut told me Melissa was about to stir up trouble.

Sure enough, Melissa casually picked up Bill's watch from the sofa and flung it into the pool.

She said, "Bill, you can't claim victory so easily this round. Sure, she showed up, but she was an hour late! Who's to say she didn't drag her feet on purpose?

"If you want to prove she's your most loyal pet, have her jump into the pool and fish out your watch. Did you forger that this watch was my special gift for your eighteenth birthday? Surely you still treasure it."

At her words, Bill looked up, a glint of cunning amusement flashing in his eyes.

Bill's eyes roamed over me. The taunting smile on his lips was like a razor-sharp blade, silently slicing through my pride.

I knew Bill was furious.

He was upset about everything I did at the wedding, including holding arms with Larry, exchanging vows with him, toasting together, and kissing him.

Even though he orchestrated every bit of it himself, he was still furious.

However, I didn't mind it.

In the future, he wouldn't just be angry; he'd be driven to death by it.

But at that moment, the crowd around me began whispering to each other, their gazes filled with mocking glee and barely concealed anticipation.

I looked up at him and pleaded while my eyes were brimming with tears, "Bill, you're not actually going to make me do this, are you? You know I can't swim."

He looked at me, and for a fleeting moment, a hint of hesitation flickered in his eyes. However, it was quickly replaced by malice.

He patted my head and commanded, "Good girl, go fetch it."

I gave Bill one last, lingering look. Then I turned and walked toward the pool. Slipping off my heels and gathering up my skirt, I drew a deep breath and plunged into the pool.

The chilly pool water instantly wrapped around me, and I choked before swallowing a couple of mouthfuls.

Then I struggled to dive deeper, my fingers scrabbling blindly along the bottom of the pool. The water was murky and barely any light reached me. I couldn't see a thing.

My fingers kept scraping against the pool wall, but the watch remained just out of reach.

A searing pain shot through my back.

Crimson blood blossomed in the water, swirling through the pool.