Chapter 3

"Georgina, even bringing up Mikey can't make up for what you've done," Zachary said coldly.

With just a look from Zachary, the bodyguards stepped forward and pinned Georgina down.

Georgina struggled desperately. "If you dare lay a hand on me, you'll pay for it."

Zachary let out a low chuckle. "Georgina, you haven't been involved in anything for five years. Who do you think still listens to you?"

In that instant, Georgina felt like she'd been plunged into an icy abyss.

There was no way there could be two leaders. If she hadn't stepped away from the company, being on par with Zachary would have shattered any hope of their marriage surviving.

So Georgina washed her hands of it all, watching her underlings slowly turn their backs on her and pledge loyalty to Zachary instead.

Now, she was nothing more than a shadow from the past—completely abandoned, left with no one to rely on and nowhere to go.

Never in her wildest dreams did she think that everything she gave, every sacrifice she'd made, would end up becoming the knife that pierced her heart.

Zachary's voice was cold and sharp. "Just admit you're wrong. This is your punishment. Let this be a lesson to you."

Georgina was no match for the big, burly bodyguards.

She was forced to kneel, the soft prayers from the priest filling her ears.

Soon, her knees throbbed.

But this was only the beginning.

After that, she was dragged to her feet and made to walk over scorching coals.

The coals blistered her feet, leaving a trail of blood behind with every step.

Once she'd made it past the coals, she was handed a bracelet made of cruel thorns and told to wear it.

Georgina had to pull out every barb with her own fingers, then grind down the thorny spikes with rough sandpaper.

All ten of her fingers were riddled with bloody punctures. Even the slightest twitch sent waves of searing pain straight to her bones.

Just as dawn was breaking, Shelby's voice drifted out from the hospital room.

The doctor stepped out and said, "Miss Dillon has regained consciousness. She's out of danger, and her condition is stable for now."

"Mr. Kane, thank you for everything you've done for me. While I was unconscious, I saw God," Shelby said softly.

Zachary hurried over, his voice gentle. "God was helping you. Are you feeling okay? Is there anywhere you're still hurting?"

When the ordeal finally ended, Georgina looked down at her battered body, her eyes burning with unshed tears.

In the past, whenever Georgina accidentally cut her hand slicing fruit, Zachary would take care of her, gently bandaging up the wound himself.

After that, he wouldn't let her near a knife. Whatever fruit she wanted, Zachary would slice it and bring it right to her lips.

One time, Georgina was ambushed by a rival gang while she was out.

She managed to dodge them for a while, but in the end, she still ended up with a few scrapes and bruises.

That very night, Zachary showed up with his crew and crippled every last one of those ambushers, making sure they would never walk or fight again.

But now, it was Zachary himself who was injuring her.

All the love they once had was gone.

Georgina went home alone, disinfected her wounds with antiseptic, and treated herself.

Zachary didn't come home that night, and he didn't even bother to text her.

Georgina kept telling herself that she only had to endure for another month.

*****

The next morning, Georgina took off her wedding ring and tossed it straight into the trash.

She grabbed a hammer and smashed the giant framed wedding portrait in the living room.

She even tore up every last tree she'd ever planted together with Zachary in the yard, roots and all.

Fired up, she was ready to head back inside and pack up all of Zachary's stuff to throw out.

After all, once the divorce was final in a month, it would be Zachary who had to get out of this house.

Just then, her phone started buzzing like crazy.

On the screen, Shelby had sent her a flood of messages.

Georgina tapped on the first one, and her breath caught the moment she saw the photo.

There was Shelby, gun in hand, aiming at a memorial tablet on the church altar.

Three years ago, Zachary and Georgina had their first child.

On his way back to Krehull City for business, Zachary was ambushed in a deadly trap.

Georgina, heavily pregnant at eight months, didn't hesitate. She rallied their men and personally led the rescue.

Zachary was saved, but their child was lost forever.

Afterwards, Georgina's health took a big hit. She fell seriously ill, and was never able to have another baby.

Zachary spent a long time in the church, praying for Mikey's soul to find peace.

He'd also pray for Georgina, wishing for God to bless them with another child.

Every year, on Mikey's anniversary, Zachary would stay at the church for two full days praying.

Georgina's phone buzzed again, snapping her back to reality.

Messages started rolling in.

Shelby: [Sorry, but Mr. Kane says he's tearing this place down and building another church in its place.

[I'm going to set up a permanent shrine here, and even have a golden tablet made for my child.

[But first things first, I have to deal with this memorial tablet.

[If you don't respond, I'll just assume you've given me the green light.]

The final photo showed the tablet, blasted to bits by a gunshot—scattered over the floor, nothing left but shards.

Georgina was shaking in anger, her hands trembling so much she could barely hold onto her phone. She didn't care about anything else; she just dashed out the door.

When she reached the church at the top of the mountain, she slammed open the special chamber dedicated to Mikey.

The memorial tablet was on the floor, fragments littered across the floor.