He Destroyed Me, Now He Wants Me Back

Chapter 3 No More Love

I let out a bitter laugh. In the split second before his hand came down again, I forced out a few words.

"Zane… so all your promises were just a joke."

His expression hardened instantly. "You still don't get what you did wrong? I know you. If I don't break you today, you'll just keep doing things that upset Fiona even more."

Each slap hit harder than the last.

Around us, the guests murmured in awe.

"Miss Johnson really is his favorite. He'd do anything for her."

"Exactly. He could've had the bodyguards do this, but he's doing it himself. That says everything."

When the ninety-nine slaps were finally done, Zane was breathing hard. Maybe from exhaustion. Maybe from anger.

Fiona hurried over with an ice pack. "Zane, your hand must hurt. Here, put this on."

He took it, his eyes soft as he looked at her. "You're always the one who cares about me the most."

I tugged at my lips, trying to smile, but the pain made my eyes sting.

He used to hold me like that too. "This life's worth it as long as I have your heart."

All those vows were nothing but a joke now.

Maybe my smile looked too pathetic, because Zane's face darkened.

"Why are you still standing there? Take her to the hospital."

"Wait."

Fiona stopped the bodyguards who were dragging me away. She pulled Zane closer and spoke in a low voice only the three of us could hear.

"I may have won the design competition, but if Faye keeps designing, the judges will recognize her style. Zane, I want to make sure she can never hold a pen again."

Zane paused, thinking for a moment, then reached for my hand, almost gently.

"My wife doesn't need to be a designer anyway. If this helps Fiona feel at ease, you'll just have to deal with it."

My eyes widened in terror. I shook my head, struggling.

"Zane, don't… please… ah!"

His expensive leather shoe came down on my fingers.

A sickening c***k.

Pain exploded through me, my whole body shaking uncontrollably.

Fiona, standing nearby, put on a look of concern. "Zane, this is too cruel. I heard if you cut the tendons in someone's right hand, they'll never be able to hold a pen again."

Zane smiled and lightly tapped her nose, then lifted his foot off my hand.

His voice was gentle, almost affectionate. It sounded like something straight out of hell.

"See how thoughtful Fiona is? She even found a way to make this easier for you."

The pain in my fingers was unbearable. I couldn't even beg.

Zane had someone bring a blade. He grabbed my right hand, sliced into my skin, and spoke in that same soft voice, "Just bear with it. From now on, stay home and be Mrs. Hayes. Stop competing with Fiona for design titles."

"Ah—!" I screamed, watching the blood spill onto the ground, powerless to resist.

There was only one thought left in my mind. I will never love him again.

After doing exactly what Fiona asked and ruining my right hand, Zane finally tossed the blade aside.

"Take her to the hospital."

I was dragged into the car like a lifeless body.

A black sedan pulled up and stopped in front of Zane.

The lawyer stepped out and handed him some paper.

"Mr. Hayes, these are your divorce certificates with Mrs… with Ms. Wilson."

Hearing the word "divorce," I felt something loosen inside me.

This life, me and Zane, we're finally done.

But Zane's face changed instantly. He flipped open the certificate, saw our names, and snapped.

He grabbed the lawyer by the collar like a madman.

"Who the hell told you to file for my divorce?!"