Chapter 4

But I was wrong. Terribly wrong.

A woman willing to be a mistress would never be that simple.

After walking for who knows how long, a black Maybach suddenly stopped in front of me.

Ethan rushed out of the car and slapped me without a word.

"You have the nerve to be out shopping? Do you know you almost killed Melody!"

My face pale, I looked up at him in confusion.

His chest heaved violently with anger.

"Because you went to see Melody this afternoon, people called her a homewrecker and she went to a bar to drink. She ended up getting raped!"

"She smashed a bottle and tried to kill herself by cutting her wrists. She just got out of surgery and isn't out of danger yet!"

"Evelyn Wright, when did you become so vicious? The affair was my doing. If you're angry, take it out on me. Why hurt Melody? She's innocent!"

Tears blurred my vision.

The man standing before me, calling me vicious, could no longer overlap with the young man who once knelt to propose, swearing he'd protect me forever.

I bit through my lip, eyes red as I screamed:

"She's innocent? What about my child? Wasn't he innocent?"

"You cheated and left me to care for our child alone. My son was only five years old. Why should he pay the price for your affair!"

My heartfelt words only earned me another, harder slap.

I lost my balance and fell down the steps.

My ankle swelled immediately, the bone likely broken.

Ethan gave the bodyguards a cold order, not even sparing me a glance:

"Take Mrs. Ford to the hospital and make her kneel. When Melody is out of danger, she can get up!"

In the hospital corridor, two bodyguards forced me to my knees.

Both sides of my face were swollen, but I couldn't even feel the pain.

Five hours passed before Melody finally opened her eyes.

Ethan walked past me and comforted her with gentle concern.

In seven years of marriage, I'd never seen him like this.

My heart ached to numbness, as if being twisted by a dull knife.

The two talked about something, and Melody covered her face, crying uncontrollably.

Ethan took her phone, looked at it, and became so angry he smashed it on the spot.

The screen shattered into pieces.

He strode toward me, grabbed my collar, and dragged me in front of Melody.

"Evelyn Wright, did you release that video? Did you hire those trolls?"

"Won't you be satisfied until Melody's dead! She just woke up and even agreed to let you raise her child, but you still won't leave her alone!"

The phone with its spider-webbed screen was playing a video.

In the footage, Melody lay unconscious from alcohol while several men stood over her, violently tearing at her clothes.

At the critical moment, the camera was covered by someone's clothing.

But sickening sounds could be heard.

Melody's face went white. She broke down crying:

"Don't stop me. Just let me die!"

"Everyone online is saying I deserved it for breaking up someone's family. This is my punishment!"

"Give the child to Evelyn to raise. Don't let him know what kind of shameful person his mother is!"

With that, Melody yanked out her IV needle and raised her hand to stab it into her neck.

Ethan reacted quickly, reaching out to block it.

The needle pierced straight through his hand.

His cold gaze locked onto me like a demon from hell.

"Evelyn Wright, are you satisfied now?"

"Someone take Mrs. Ford out of here!"

I struggled desperately:

"Let me go! Where are you taking me? It wasn't me—I didn't do anything!"