Chapter 1
I stumbled out of the banquet hall in a daze when my shoulder slammed into two men reeking of alcohol.
They immediately twisted my arms behind my back, gripping my wrists as their greasy eyes roamed over me.
"Throwing yourself at us and then acting all high and mighty? What's the point of that?"
I struggled against them, instinctively tilting my head to hear what they were saying.
The gesture only made them burst out laughing.
"Oh, now you're playing hard to get?"
As they spoke, they dragged me toward the exit.
Panic surged through me as I looked around.
Robert was walking toward us with Victoria Lane tucked protectively at his side.
Using every ounce of strength I had, I screamed, "Robert, help me!"
At last, Robert stepped in front of us.
But Victoria spoke before he could. "Mr. Carter, I just saw Claire tilt her head and smile at them. They probably know each other, right?"
Robert's expression instantly turned cold.
The two men immediately agreed.
"Yeah, yeah! We know her!"
I opened my mouth to explain, but a sharp pain suddenly exploded across my cheek.
"Claire, when are you going to stop causing scenes?" Robert's voice was filled with anger.
My cheek burned. The metallic taste of blood spread through my mouth.
When I looked up again, he already had his arm around Victoria as they walked away.
Victoria glanced back timidly.
"Mr. Carter, do you think Claire will blame me? I'm scared..."
"As long as I'm here, she won't dare."
Grief and fury flooded my entire body.
I shouted at his retreating back. "Robert, if you walk away today, we're getting divorced!"
His steps paused briefly, but he never turned around.
"Divorce? Are you really that childish?"
Then he left with Victoria without another glance.
Without Robert there to intimidate them, the two men became even bolder. They dragged me toward a car parked at the curb.
"Sweetheart, if he doesn't care about you, we will."
The moment they loosened their grip, I wrenched myself free and plunged into the crowd in the town square.
Only after I was sure no one was following me did I collapse onto a bench, hugging my arms as I trembled uncontrollably.
My phone lit up.
Victoria had posted a new update on her social media.
In the nine-photo collage, Robert was crouching down to tie her shoelaces, waiting in line to buy her milk tea, and carefully applying ointment to her infected ear-piercing.
I had never received any of that tenderness.
A message from Robert arrived moments later.
Robert: Victoria was frightened by what happened tonight. I'm taking her home first. I'll pick you up later.
Ignoring the pain in my wrists, I replied:
Claire: No need. Let's get divorced.
