Chapter 3

That voice was too familiar.

I said nothing more, looking up towards the stairs. Willow Shaw now looked radiant with happiness, a stark contrast to the timid girl she used to be.

I watched her, carefully holding the banister as she stepped slowly, one step at a time, towards Dominic.

As if she were the lady of the house, she feigned surprise: “Dominic, who is this?”

Though her tone was soft, her eyes stared at me like a venomous snake. A wave of terror washed over me, and I stood frozen to the spot, chilled to the bone.

After Dominic sent me to prison three years ago, she would come to visit me. Each time she left, I would face even harsher retaliation.

I was kicked so hard that three of my ribs broke. As I lay on the ground, bloody and barely clinging to life, the triumphant voices of those thugs echoed in my ears: “You deserve to die, you bitch! How dare you steal from others?!”

“Pah! Look at yourself, you trash!”

Later, Dominic had those people send another message.

“Stay there and reflect. Don't make it easy for her.”

Those painful memories felt like yesterday; the scabs on my body throbbed faintly.

I tugged hard at my sleeve, and cold sweat beaded on my forehead.

Dominic's gaze was entirely on Willow, his voice gentle and considerate as he asked, “Why are you down here? Shouldn't you rest a bit longer?”

They were too intimate in front of me. I had expected to care, to feel pain, but after three years, I no longer craved Dominic's attention.

I cowered to the side, my mind a blur.

The maid came over to ask Dominic about me. She glanced at Dominic and Willow, then cautiously asked, “Mr. Thorne, everything is ready. This young lady…”

My face was ghostly pale. I almost collapsed, but the maid beside me steadied me.

Dominic's face instantly darkened, his tone angry: “Take her. No special treatment!”

Dominic emphasized those last few words heavily.

I forced myself to stay upright, circled around him, and followed the maid out.

Willow seemed to be waiting deliberately, staring at me with a hateful gaze.

“Anya Vance, how dare you show your face here!”

I never understood why she harbored such intense animosity towards me. Our relationship hadn't been that bad before.

Until she approached me in the darkness and threatened:

“You’d better behave yourself and not get any ideas. Otherwise, I don't know what worse things Dominic will do to you because of our child!”