He Destroyed Me, Now He Wants Me Back

Chapter 2 Ninety-Nine Slaps

That day, Zane made me get on my hands and knees and eat the birthday cake off the floor, piece by piece.

In the end, my stomach couldn't take it. I was rushed to the hospital.

When I woke up, Zane was holding my hand, looking heartbroken.

"Faye, don't make things hard for me, okay? If you stop upsetting Fiona, you won't have to suffer like this."

From that moment on, I stopped expecting anything from him.

When the bodyguards dragged me out of the car, all the guests were already gathered at the entrance, like they were waiting for a show.

Zane's voice came from above me. "Go. Kneel and apologize to Fiona. As long as she forgives you, we'll call this over."

I looked up at the man I had shared a bed with for seven years, my eyes burning with tears. It felt like my heart had been smashed into pieces.

When I didn't say anything, he finally realized my mouth was still stuffed.

Zane yanked the cloth out, then had the bodyguards shove me forward, forcing me down onto my knees at the entrance.

The crowd watched, their faces full of smug amusement.

"An orphan with no parents really thought learning a little design would make her worthy of Mr. Hayes?"

"Only someone like Miss Johnson, with her background and talent, deserves him."

Surrounded by admirers, Fiona stepped out. The moment she saw me, she put on a look of surprise.

"Faye, why are you making such a big scene?"

Standing beside me, Zane's voice turned sharp.

"Don't forget what I just told you."

I struggled, but under the bodyguards' grip, it was useless.

Fiona suddenly clutched her chest, looking shaken.

"Zane, just let her go. I don't want this party ruined again like last time."

Zane glanced at me, irritation flashing in his eyes. "Faye, you're being difficult again."

Chloe Brown, Fiona's best friend, suddenly spoke up.

"I've got an idea. Something that'll make her apologize properly."

"What idea?"

Everyone turned to look at her.

Chole walked toward me, step by step. Then, in front of everyone, she raised her hand.

Slap!

The sound cracked through the air as her palm hit my face.

A smug smile spread across Chloe's face. "If you hit her ninety-nine times, no matter how stubborn she is, she'll turn into a sweet little lamb."

Then she raised her hand again.

One after another, the blows landed on my face. The burning pain made it impossible to speak.

Zane frowned and was about to step forward, but Fiona hooked her arm around his.

"Zane, as long as Faye apologizes sincerely, the party you planned for me will still be perfect."

Her sweet smile slowly smoothed out the crease between his brows.

"As long as you're happy."

I watched as Zane pulled Fiona gently into his arms. The tenderness in his eyes looked exactly like it had seven years ago, when he knelt at our wedding and slipped a ring onto my finger.

Chloe kept swinging her hand. My face was already swollen beyond recognition.

After a while, she finally got tired. She shook out her arm.

"Ninety-nine slaps. Still forty-seven to go. I can't keep going."

Fiona turned to Zane. "Zane, why don't you do it? I can't bear to watch."

Zane chuckled softly. "You're too kind."

Then he walked toward me, his voice ice-cold. "Faye, if you want to be Mrs. Hayes, you need to learn your place. Be obedient. Be smart. After today, I hope you understand what I'm trying to teach you."

As soon as he finished speaking, his hand came down hard across my face.

A sharp ringing filled my ears. I couldn't even cry anymore.

My face was so swollen that even if my parents came back to life, they probably wouldn't recognize me.