Chapter 6

Chapter 6

...

At Robert Kingston’s residence,

When the two of them entered the vast and magnificent dining room, everyone was already waiting.

From Elena’s family, there were Luciana Haven, Henry Lewis, and even Jennifer Lewis. But her biological mother was not present, because in public, Elena’s biological mother was nothing more than a mistress and was not worthy of being brought to an event like this.

From Alexander’s family, there were his father and his father second wife, Callista, and even Alexander’s half-brother from a different mother, Gavin Kingston.

Simply being in this room already made Alexander feel like throwing up. The one who should have been sitting beside his father was his mother, but now that seat was occupied by that woman who pretended to be gentle yet was wicked inside.

Callista’s existence had made Alexander’s mother fall ill, and now she was lying in a coma at the hospital. That fact alone made Alexander even angrier and more resentful. He had sworn to drive them all out once the company fell into his hands.

“My daughter, you look so beautiful.”

Luciana exclaimed when she saw Elena arrive with her husband and take her seat.

Hearing that made Elena feel disgusted. She would never have imagined that Luciana—who had always insulted and chased her away—would speak this softly.

But she knew she must not ruin the atmosphere, so she only smiled and nodded gently.

'Tch! A prostitute’s daughter acting all elegant. Just because you married Mr. Alexander, you get to wear such a beautiful dress. DISGUSTING!'

Jennifer fumed inwardly. She was deeply jealous and hateful of Elena’s fortune. Her face carried a smile, but in her heart, she insulted Elena in the most degrading way.

“Sister-in-law, eat well. I heard you’ve been having wonderful days with Alexander. I’d love to hear about your activities, if you don’t mind.”

Gavin said while staring at Elena with a smile, as if he knew something. It made Elena slightly nervous. Her hands clenched instantly as she steadied her breathing.

There was no way she could tell them that she had been living in the gardener’s house behind the mansion. She also did not want this marriage to fall into chaos for the sake of her own safety.

“Ahem…”

“I'm good, Brother-in-law.”

Elena replied and quickly reached for her drink, gulping it down. Tension immediately filled the room when Gavin asked something he should not have asked.

“How dare you ask my wife such nonsense? You’d better focus on the company you’re handling. Otherwise, you might be thrown out by me sooner than you expect!”

“And stop talking to my wife!”

Alexander snapped, his sharp gaze fixed on Gavin. Upon hearing Alexander’s words, Gavin’s smile vanished instantly. He looked irritated, and Robert, who had known this would happen, let out a heavy sigh.

“That’s enough… enough. Let’s just begin dinner. This dinner is meant to welcome Elena as part of this family, so don’t create a disturbance.”

Robert said firmly. After that, everyone fell silent and continued the dinner calmly.

Elena did not understand what was happening within this family, but she knew that Alexander seemed to hate everyone in this room—including his own father.

...

In only a short time, the dinner ended, and they were now chatting among themselves, although Elena had remained silent the entire time, wearing a fake smile.

Elena was among the women, including Callista, who was now her mother-in-law.

“You are so beautiful, Elena. You look lovely and sweet. If you need anything, just tell me.”

“I will help you. And if Alexander treats you poorly, tell me immediately. I will handle him.”

Callista appeared extremely gentle. Though she was no longer young, she still looked beautiful, and her smile seemed bright and warm.

Elena was momentarily speechless. Callista truly seemed to accept her into this family.

Elena nodded enthusiastically and smiled upon hearing Callista’s words.

“Yes, Mother-in-law. So far, Alexander has treated me well, so everything is fine.”

“Thank you for your concern, Mother-in-law.”

Elena replied, appearing close to Callista. When she heard that answer, Callista smiled, but there was something strange in her gaze. Elena felt confused for a moment, but she quickly pushed away the odd thought in her mind.

“Very well then, I will go to my husband now. It’s late, and he must not stay up too long. See you again, Elena.”

Callista smiled toward Luciana and Jennifer before walking away.

As soon as Callista left, Luciana leaned closer and whispered harshly to Elena.

“Hey, don’t get proud just because you’ve been accepted into this family. Don’t forget that you owe my family!”

“You must speak to your husband so he will invest in our company. Otherwise, I will find a way to make your life miserable and restless!”

Luciana’s whisper made Jennifer smile proudly as she watched her mother pressure Elena.

“It’s time for us to leave, Luci. Send our regards to our new family.”

After Luciana finished threatening Elena—while forcing her to pretend everything was fine—Henry Lewis approached. It was time for them to go home.

Luciana instantly changed her expression again, looking affectionate toward Elena.

“Alright, Elena, we’re leaving now, dear.”

“Take good care of your pregnancy.”

Luciana said sweetly, and soon they left Robert’s residence.

“We will as well…”

Alexander was also eager to leave this residence, but Robert wanted to speak about something important with him.

“Wait. Come to my study for a moment. There’s something I want to discuss.”

Robert said. Upon hearing that, Callista suddenly smiled, unable to hide the curve of her lips, though she tried to suppress it.

Alexander frowned and immediately followed his father into his private study.

Meanwhile, Elena waited in the living room. She had been left alone by Callista and Gavin.

“Callista told me earlier that your wife complained to her. She said you locked her in the gardener’s quarters behind your mansion!”

“You are truly insane! How could you do that to your pregnant wife?!”

“This time, I won’t overreact. Move her into your bedroom immediately, or you will lose everything!”

“After all, she will give birth to the first grandchild of the Kingston family. Don’t you dare treat her badly!”

Robert growled, though he appeared calm. He did not want to lose his temper this time. He only wanted Alexander to move Elena into his personal bedroom and stop letting her live in such an unworthy place.

Hearing that, Alexander gritted his teeth. His eyes turned razor-sharp, and his breathing grew heavy.

That ungrateful woman—how dare she complain!

It seems I’ve been too gentle with her. Just wait and see what I’ll do!

Alexander seethed, his anger reaching its peak, convinced that Elena had dared to complain merely because she wanted special treatment.

...

After the warning from his father, Alexander returned with his wife. Unaware of what was about to befall her, Elena grew confused when she saw that her husband suddenly looked furious.

His eyes were razor-sharp, and it frightened her.

'What is happening? Why do I feel so anxious right now?'

Elena wondered as the heavy tension accompanied them all the way back to their mansion.

In only a short time…

They arrived at Alexander’s mansion. Alexander stepped out first, roughly.

Elena remained silent. She stepped out on her own, intending to return to the place she had been staying for the past two weeks.

“Th-Then… I’ll excuse myself, Sir.”

Elena lowered her body politely and was about to leave. Alexander was lighting a cigarette, staring at his wife sharply.

“Tch! Still pretending to be innocent!”

“A cheap woman like you is truly skilled at acting!”

“If you don’t want your legs broken, follow me. Now.”

Alexander’s command left Elena confused. She did not understand what he meant. She was not pretending, so she could not comprehend his accusation.

But Alexander gave her no chance to clarify anything. He immediately strode away as usual, forcing Elena to hurry after him.

Thump… thump… thump…

Elena’s heart pounded violently. Her breathing grew heavy because her intuition seemed right—she would be hurt again tonight.

“This room again… the room I hate…”

“Why? What did I do wrong this time?”

Elena trembled as she reached for the door to Alexander’s study. When she stepped inside, she saw Alexander already waiting.

And...

Her arm was suddenly seized, and she was shoved until her back hit the wall. Hatred and fury blazed in Alexander’s eyes.

“W-What is it, Sir? Why are you doing this… What did I do wrong?”

Elena whispered in a trembling voice. Her eyes widened, fear clearly written across her face.

“Heh!”

“So this is how you act, you woman! Didn’t I tell you not to complain?”

“Why did you complain to Callista about living in the back quarters of my mansion?”

“Why did you tell Callista that you’re treated badly here?”

“Are you that desperate to become the Lady of this house? A lowly woman like you is disgusting! I hate you more and more! I hate you!”

“If you weren’t carrying my child, I would have already destroyed you and erased you from this earth!”

“But since you seem to enjoy being a cheap woman, then I will grant your wish!”

“I will hate you, and I will leave nothing but pain on your body, you woman!”

Alexander growled as he grabbed Elena’s dress and tore it apart, as if everything about her was worthless to him.

Rip!

“Ah!”

“What are you talking about, Sir? I didn’t say anything to Mother-in-law, I didn’t complain, I didn’t...”

Elena tried to explain in panic. She attempted to clutch the torn fabric to cover her body.

But Alexander gripped her cheeks harshly and whispered cruelly,

“Mother-in-law? Yes, you suit that title well. You’re both the same—cheap women I need to get rid of!”

“Stop crying and acting like this. Your behavior disgusts me!”

Alexander roughly yanked off the ribbon from her hair. He tore away the rest of the clothing clinging to her body, even throwing aside her undergarments, leaving his wife naked as she tried to cover herself in front of him.

Alexander smirked sharply. He picked up his cigarette again and inhaled, smoke curling into the air while Elena shivered. Her pale skin had turned slightly red in places from the force with which he had stripped her.

Alexander sat on the sofa, chin raised arrogantly. His sharp blue eyes stared at Elena, who had collapsed to the floor, covering herself. Her beautiful hair fell over the upper part of her body.

“Come here. Don’t you like this?”

“You want to stay here, don’t you? Then come here and please me, woman.”

Alexander sat confidently, like a king punishing his servant. His voice alone terrified Elena. She did not dare lift her face, let alone walk toward him.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

“Do you want me to come over there instead?”

“You know what will happen if I’m the one who comes to you, don’t you?”

Alexander’s whisper made Elena flinch. She cried helplessly and begged him. She lifted her face without releasing the hands that covered her body.

“Sir, I was wrong. Please don’t do this. I’m begging you.”

“I apologize because my mother was a mistress. I apologize because I am a woman unworthy of you.”

“I apologize for everything, so please don’t do that.”

“I swear I didn’t say anything. I have obeyed you, so please don’t hurt me.”

“I’m begging you, Sir… I’m begging…”

Elena wept, pleading for forgiveness—for herself, for everything about her that might not be worthy.

She looked utterly miserable. She did not want to endure Alexander’s harsh intimacy and his cold, painful gaze each time he touched her.

That suffering hurt her deeply, and she did not want it.

Alexander froze when he saw her like that—a woman so beautiful, crying out with a voice that was lovely yet filled with pain.

For a few moments, something stirred in his heart.

But all his life, Alexander had been raised to be suspicious.

His sharp eyes fixed on his wife again, illuminated by the moonlight as if she were glowing. Yet her gaze was so sorrowful, her soft cries filled with suffering.

'What is this? Why does her pleading hurt me instead?'

'Why is she begging like that?'

'Why is she crying in such agony? Isn’t this what she wanted?'

Alexander’s mind wavered for a brief second. But he quickly regained his focus. He reached for the divorce papers lying on the table.

“Then sign the divorce papers, and I will let you go!”

“I won’t touch you even with the tip of my finger if you agree to divorce!”

When Alexander said that, Elena’s eyes widened. Her crying stopped, and her lips fell silent.

Only after hearing those words did she, with great difficulty—her hands and legs trembling violently—rise and slowly approach Alexander.

Her gaze was empty as she stepped forward.

“Hah? I knew it. It was all an act. If you truly didn’t want to suffer, you could just agree to divorce!”

“You’re truly irritating!”

Alexander growled. Upon hearing that, Elena’s steps halted. She lifted her gaze toward the moon, clearly visible.

Her expression was hollow and bitter. Then she spoke softly, painfully...

“At least you won’t hit me, won’t pull my hair until it falls out. At least you won’t sell me to old men.”

“All of this... is better, Sir…”

“If you want to yell at me and curse me, if you want to do it roughly while looking down on me, then do it. But I don’t want a divorce.”

“This is all better…”

Elena’s whisper left Alexander speechless. His eyes widened, and without realizing it, he stepped forward quickly and grabbed Elena’s hand.

He did not even know what he was doing anymore.

....