Chapter 3
I tore the wedding photo off the wall desperately and just chucked it in the trash.
I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I'd had saved for ages.
"Professor, I've decided to take part in the experiment," I said.
"Are you sure about this?" the professor asked.
I nodded.
"I'll have someone pick you up at 2 PM the day after tomorrow," he said.
I hung up and started packing my stuff.
Alex had spent the whole night at the hospital looking after Myra, and when he got back, he looked completely wiped out.
When he saw me packing, he grabbed me and pulled me into his arms, his lips brushing against my ear as he coaxed me.
He whispered, "Thalia, come on, don't do this, okay? When you mentioned divorce yesterday, I thought you were just kidding.
"Please, don't ever bring it up again. It breaks my heart. Could you really just walk away from me?
"I'm sorry, it's my bad. I was way too emotional yesterday.
"It's just that Myra was so distraught yesterday, I was scared she might hurt herself, so I ended up saying those things to you.
"Myra feels really bad for dragging your name through the mud. And since your birthday's coming up, she went all out and set up a birthday party at a pool just for you."
I shoved him away, cold and distant.
"I'm not going," I replied.
"Thalia, don't let those online rumors get to you. People will forget all about it soon. Just let Myra show her appreciation, okay?" Alex said.
As he spoke, he handed me a brand-new bikini he'd just bought.
"Just go put it on, okay? There are a lot of people coming, so don't make Myra look bad in front of everyone," he coaxed.
He yanked down the zipper of my dress, and I instinctively grabbed his hand.
"Is this really just to say thanks?" I asked coldly.
He wouldn't even let me wear a short skirt before, but now he was pushing me into a skimpy bikini.
He smiled and nodded. "It's a pool party, Thalia. Just take it easy and enjoy yourself."
I tossed the bikini aside, my face drained and weary.
"I'm exhausted. You guys go have your fun. I'm out," I said.
Alex frowned, his face dark with irritation.
He snapped, "Thalia, why are you making a scene?
"This whole party is because Myra was worried people would get the wrong idea about you, so she called everyone here to set the record straight.
"Myra's always thinking about you, but what about you? Can't you just give her a little credit? Like it or not, you're going."
He yanked the bikini onto me and shoved me out to the party.
As soon as I showed up, people started pointing and gossiping.
Everyone looked at me with pure contempt and disgust.
Some guys even swallowed hard, their eyes roaming over me with that sleazy, hungry look.
"Wow, she's really something. Just like the rumors online. She is a total slut," someone sneered.
"Who's she trying to hook up with, wearing that?" another person snickered.
"Bet she's already eyeing which guy's bed she'll end up in tonight," someone snickered.
"Alex must've been cursed to end up with a woman like her," another person scoffed.
"Alex is such a lovesick fool. Why bring her here and embarrass himself in front of everyone?" someone muttered.
Everyone around me was dressed to the nines in suits and evening gowns.
I was standing there in a bikini that barely covered anything, feeling totally exposed.
I was panicking, feeling humiliated. like the butt of some cruel joke. and just wanted to get out of there.
But Alex yanked me back, gripping my arm tight. "Where do you think you're running off to?"
Myra swayed her hips over, a mocking smirk on her lips. "Thalia, enjoying your birthday party?"
She tossed back several drinks in quick succession. "Sorry about all this. I really did you dirty."
Alex looked at her with concern and a hint of indulgence.
"Myra, slow down on the drinks. You're going to feel awful later," he said gently.
She stuck her tongue out at him with a cheeky grin, then handed me a drink.
I turned my head away, ignoring her.
But she just shot Alex a pouty, puppy-eyed look, playing the victim.
"Still not ready to forgive me, Thalia?" she whined.
Alex shot me a furious glare.
"Thalia, don't be so shameless." he snapped.
Then he grabbed the glass, forced my chin up, and poured the drink down my throat.
The booze hit me hard, and my head started to feel fuzzy and heavy.
"Did you drug me?" I asked.
My whole body was shaking with terror, and I staggered, desperate to escape.
"Trying to run? You're not done paying Myra back." Alex snapped.