Chapter 3

The officer said, "Ms. Holmes, based on what you've described, the person's actions, sending emails, texts, even publicly commenting on you, while definitely unpleasant, don't cross the line into illegal territory."

My heart sank. Should I just let this psycho do whatever he wanted?

Just then, my phone buzzed with an unknown number.

Steven sneered. "Ms. Holmes, it seems you've decided to take the confrontational route instead of cooperating. What a pity."

He continued, "Based on my projections, if you keep this up, your reputation, career, and mental health are all going to take a nosedive.

"To help you face reality, I've prepared a 'Jessie Holmes: Marriage Market Value & Risk Alert.' After deducting for your age, emotional instability, and family baggage, your actual value is now below the average in the marriage market!"

He added, "Seriously, who else but me would want to take on a liability like you? I suggest you stop pretending you're something you're not!"

"Go to hell!" I screamed into the phone at the top of my lungs.

Tears welled up and spilled over. I couldn't hold them back.

I deleted all his contacts, locked down my social media, took a few days off work, and shut myself in at home.

I thought hiding out would keep me safe.

But that night, after I got out of the shower, I saw my phone was blowing up with over a dozen missed calls. They were all from my mom.

I called her back, and her words were all over the place, barely making any sense.

She cried, "Jessie, what are we going to do? Your dad passed out from anger!

"That damned Steven printed hundreds of copies of that crazy report and scattered them all over the entrance of your dad's workplace!"

She continued, "It says you're promiscuous, have some hidden illness, a marriage scammer, and even claims you've had three miscarriages!

"Now everyone at his workplace knows! His boss called him in for a talk! How are we supposed to face anyone now?"

By the time I got to the hospital, my dad was out of danger, but he looked pale and defeated, and wouldn't even look at me.

My mom grabbed my hand, tears streaming down her face.

She said, "That monster printed hundreds of copies of that slanderous report and scattered them all over your dad's workplace. Now everyone's saying you're a disgrace, an unfilial daughter who's ruined the family's reputation..."

I felt ice in my veins as I called Steven.

He sounded so pleased with himself, like he'd finally gotten exactly what he wanted.

He sneered. "Ms. Holmes, finally figured out your situation?"

I demanded, "Steven, what the hell do you want from me?"

He replied, "It's simple. Show up at the place I tell you and sign the marriage contract. Your whole family has to follow my orders, no questions asked!

"If you refuse, I'll send this report to your colleagues, clients, friends, neighbors, and even your hometown's local council. Your parents will never be able to show their faces in this city again!"

I slid down the wall, sinking to the floor in defeat.

"Where are you?" I asked.

Steven gave me the name of a hotel and a room number.

He said, "Bring your ID. Tonight marks the kickoff of our marriage deal. I expect you to cooperate, as you should."

After hanging up, I checked the recorder in my pocket, making sure it was ready.

It was the only thing I had to fight back.

Standing in front of the hotel room door, I took a deep breath and rang the bell.

The door swung open, and there was Steven. He was lounging in a bathrobe with a glass of red wine in hand, wearing that smug, victorious grin. "Right on time," he said.

He shut and locked the door, then strode over to the table and slammed a thick stack of papers on it right in front of me.

He ordered, "The marriage contract and marital conduct rules. One hundred and eight pages. Sign them."

Then he moved behind me, his fingers brushing through my hair, lingering a bit too long.

"Now, let's take the first real step in our marriage. Let's get intimately acquainted," he murmured.

His hand started to slide down, making my whole body tense with disgust.

I spun around and shoved him away, snapping, "Don't touch me!"

His face darkened with fury as he seized my wrist. "Still got attitude, huh?"

His grip was so tight it felt like he was about to crush my bones.

He flung me onto the bed and pinned me there, his body looming over mine.

He sneered. "Quit acting all pure and innocent! The report lays it all out. You're just a leftover woman, past your prime, and God knows how desperate you really are inside!"

He snapped, "Tonight, I'm going to make you obey me!"

"Let go of me! You beast!" I screamed, fighting him with everything I had.

Steven backhanded me so hard my vision went black. I could even taste blood in my mouth.

"So you want to do this the hard way, huh?" he growled, his hand clamping down around my throat.

In my desperation, my fingers found a metal folder on the bedside table.

With everything I had left, I grabbed it and smashed it straight into the side of his head.

Steven screamed in agony. Blood poured from his temple as he went down hard, crashing to the floor.

Shaking uncontrollably, I staggered to my feet, ready to escape this hell.