Chapter 3

Vivian's POV

I covered my burning face, tasting blood in my mouth, and collapsed to the ground, all strength leaving my body.

Frederick looked at me coldly, signaling two bodyguards to lift me up and roughly drag me toward his sports car.

A coarse hemp rope wrapped around my wrists as he said coldly,

"This is the price for running away last night. Run behind the car all the way back."

The engine roared and the sports car shot forward!

I stumbled a few steps before being dragged to the ground. The rough pavement scraped against my skin. I struggled desperately, but the car was going too fast-I couldn't stand up at all.

Suddenly, a hard brake!

Crack!

Sharp pain shot through my wrist as I screamed.

The car finally stopped. I thought he might soften, but Frederick only untied the rope and bound my other hand.

"A broken hand can be set. Pain teaches lessons."

He said it expressionlessly.

My heart died completely.

"So much sweat. Are you too hot?"

Felicity's sweet voice rang out.

"Frederick, why don't you have her take off a few layers?"

Before I could react, my coat was torn off, leaving my chest exposed to the freezing air!

I clutched my last piece of clothing desperately, my voice trembling.

"Frederick Ashton, must you humiliate me in public?"

Felicity was unconcerned.

"Don't worry, there's no one around in the suburbs."

I stared at Frederick.

He suddenly looked away.

"...Felicity, she is still my wife. If word gets out, it's the Ashton family's reputation that suffers."

Just as I held onto my last shred of hope, he turned back to me with a cold smile.

"Keep one piece to cover yourself. Remember, this is my mercy."

The engine roared again. I was dragged once more, my skin torn raw and bloody until I finally fell into darkness.

When I woke, I was lying in the villa's bed.

Frederick wasn't there. Only Felicity sat at the bedside peeling an apple.

She leaned close, her smile sweet.

"Can you do Frederick a favor?"

"What?"

She handed me a document.

"Just sign this and Frederick can secure that contract. You should know... who's more important, right?"

The moment I saw the contents, all the blood in my body froze. She wanted me to falsely accuse Marcus of long-term sexual assault against his own sister!

"Go to hell!!"

Rage consumed my reason. I lunged forward and grabbed her throat!

The door burst open. Frederick rushed in, yanked me away, and slammed me to the floor!

"You bitch! How dare you touch Felicity?!"

Felicity burst into tears.

"I only asked her to sign, and she..."

"Hold down her hand," Frederick commanded coldly. "Make her sign it!"

"No! You can't!!"

The servants pinned me down as the pen scratched across paper-a sound like a knife cutting. I screamed in collapse.

"Frederick Ashton! I want a divorce!!"

But no one listened. Felicity suddenly vomited blood and fainted. Frederick panicked and scooped her up.

"Felicity!"

"The apple..." she said weakly, pointing toward the bedside table.

"From her room..."