Chapter 4

Alex forcefully dragged me into the room, then turned to the six guys inside and said nonchalantly, "Don't get carried away. Just snap a few photos."

I grabbed onto his pant leg for dear life, pleading with all my strength. 'No. Alex, please, save me. I'm your wife...'

But Alex just kicked me away in disgust, letting out a cold snort. "Wife? Did you remember you were my wife when you threw that wild party to set up Myra and destroy her reputation?"

I shook my head frantically, denying it. "No, I swear, it wasn't me."

Alex said coldly, "Thalia, I've already figured everything out. Drop the act.

"You did this to Myra, so let's give the tabloids a real scandal to feast on."

With those harsh words, Alex shoved one hand in his pocket, grabbed Myra's hand, and walked out without so much as a glance back.

One of the guys cracked his knuckles with a lecherous grin and tilted my chin up.

He said, "Who told you to mess with Alex's precious little sister? He's been spoiling her since she was a kid. You really pissed off the wrong people."

"Mr. Fox sure is generous, just serving up his wife for us to play with."

I snatched up the nearest wine glass and hurled it at him with everything I had.

I screamed, "Let go of me."

Then my body just gave out. I couldn't move. I was nothing but a puppet for them now, my mind wiped clean of any will to resist.

I had no clue how long I'd been out of it before the reporters, who'd been lurking outside, suddenly swarmed in.

The harsh glare of their camera flashes and the rush of cold air jolted me awake, sending a shiver down my spine.

They went wild, snapping shot after shot of me barely dressed and the six men stripped down, capturing every scandalous detail.

A reporter asked, "Thalia, I never thought you'd get this wild after marrying into a rich family. Aren't you afraid of catching something?"

Another asked, "Thalia, rumor has it you and Mr. Fox never even made it official. Is it because he found out about you sleeping around?"

Someone else asked, "Thalia, were you just born a slut? Did you only become Mrs. Fox by climbing into his bed?"

Shame suffocated me, my head felt like it was about to split open.

Every word they spat was a blade, slicing right through my heart.

A person said, "Hurry, get it all on camera. This is a big scandal of the Fox family. We're breaking this first."

*****

When I finally opened my eyes again, I was in the hospital.

Myra was the only one by my side.

I stared at the bruises and hickeys covering my body, a sickening reminder of what had happened.

The tearing pain between my legs made my heart go cold. there was nothing left inside me.

Myra crossed her legs, flashing a triumphant smirk.

She mocked, "Wow, Thalia, you really hit rock bottom.

"Let me lay it out for you. That sex party was hosted by me. But I told Alex you drugged me and tried to ruin my reputation.

"He didn't even bother to check the facts and just took my word for it. I wanted him to toss you out of his life for good.

"He was so pissed when he heard that. All I had to do was nudge him a little, and he jumped at the chance to paint you as some cheap whore in the news.

"He got the drugs and called the reporters, but those men were hired by me. Getting used like that by a whole crowd was quite satisfying for you, right?

"Alex still has no idea you've already been ruined. If he ever found out, do you really think he'd still want you?

"If you know what's good for you, get lost. Alex is mine and mine alone. No one will ever take him away from me."

I stared at Myra, completely numb. The spark in my eyes was gone. I was just dead and hollow inside.

I hugged myself tight, as if I could block out all the pain and hurt around me.

I buried my face in my knees and just broke down, crying my heart out.

My tears only made Myra more ecstatic, even wilder and more triumphant.

With a loud bang, she slammed the door and stormed out.

Meanwhile, Alex was at a press conference, setting the record straight for Myra.

A reporter pressed, "Mr. Fox, so if it wasn't Myra, are you saying it was your wife? I mean, this all went down at your family's villa.

"That video from last night shows your wife caught messing around with those men. How do you plan to handle this?"

Alex was silent for a few seconds.

"I trust my wife. I'll always love her, and she'll always be my wife," Alex declared to everyone.

He'd been on edge all day, finally turning to his assistant.

"How's my wife doing now?" he asked.

"Myra's at the hospital with her," the assistant replied.

Alex said, "Looks like Myra's finally grown up after all this.

"Once all this is over, I have to make it up to Thalia."

Half an hour later, Alex's assistant came rushing in, panic written all over his face.

He said, "Mr. Fox, something terrible has happened. We really crossed the line this time. Thalia couldn't handle all the shame and public outrage.

"She threw herself into the sea. At the scene, she only left behind this USB drive and a medical report."