Chapter 5

On the day of my birthday party, Dominic came to pick me up. Surprisingly, he was alone in the car.

"Aren't you bringing Lena?" I asked flatly.

Dominic frowned. "From now on, I'll try to keep you two from crossing paths. I don't want you getting upset all the time."

A faint smile curved my lips. He wasn't worried about me getting angry. Instead, he was afraid I'd lash out at Lena.

In his eyes, I had long since become a cruel woman.

…

The party was grand. Dominic held my hand throughout, showering me with jewelry and priceless paintings.

"I finally managed to make you happy this time, didn't I?" he whispered, his voice dripping with flattery.

As I looked at him, memories came rushing back. Whenever he made me angry, he'd humble himself like this to win me back. Every time, I'd give in.

But this time was different. He had used my family as leverage, trampled on my dignity, and auctioned off my intimate photos. Even if he gave me the world, it wouldn't make up for it.

Just as I was about to speak, the doors of the ballroom swung open.

Lena stood there in a white gown, looking timid.

Dominic's expression hardened at the sight of her. "Didn't I tell you to stay in the apartment?"

Lena's eyes glistened with tears as she answered, "I just wanted to celebrate Alyssa's birthday. I even brought her a gift."

"I don't want to see you," I shot back coldly.

Dominic, however, motioned for a waiter to arrange a seat for Lena. Then, he said in a low voice, "She came with good intentions. Forget about what happened last time. Let bygones be bygones."

…

It was my birthday party, yet Dominic's attention was fixed entirely on Lena.

The band began to play a waltz, and he took my hand. But a glimpse of Lena's tearful eyes in his peripheral vision made him turn to her.

I stood in the corner, numb, as they swayed together in a close embrace.

When the song ended, Lena pouted and complained that her heels were killing her. Without hesitation, Dominic went to fetch her flats himself.

Seizing the moment, she walked up to me, shaking her phone. "Alyssa, you didn't know, did you? Every gift Dominic gave you was something I turned down. And even now, at your party, he's checking in with me every minute."

She then flashed me the chat logs with a smug smile. "See? He said, 'Honey, hang in there. I'll be back with you soon.'"

I was already beyond caring. So, I simply asked, "What exactly do you want?"

"I want you to step aside."

I met Lena's gaze calmly. "Soon. I'll step aside completely."

She narrowed her eyes. For a moment, I thought she believed me. But in the next second, she grabbed my hand and slapped herself hard.

The crack echoed through the room.

Dominic stormed over, just in time to see Lena clutching her cheek as tears streamed down.

"Alyssa!" he roared. "Did you hurt her again?"

"I didn't."

Dominic seized my wrist and snapped, "I saw everything! Wasn't the last lesson enough? I told you. Whatever you do to Lena, I'll make you suffer ten times over!"

Lena shook her head between sobs. "Forget it. It's fine."

"I'm here. What are you afraid of?" Dominic tenderly wiped her tears as he spoke. "Like I said, you can do whatever you want. Even if you stir up trouble, it doesn't matter. Stop being so meek. Otherwise, you'll just keep getting pushed around."

After saying that, he ordered the bodyguards to hold me down.

Then, he turned to Lena. "Now, for every slap she gives you, you give her ten in return."

"I-I can't," Lena stammered, feigning fear.

"I'll show you."

Without warning, he took her hand and struck me hard. "This is to teach you how to fight back."

The next blow landed just as sharply. "And this is to teach you not to cower."

Then came the third and fourth, followed quickly by more.

I was in so much pain that my vision blurred. Blood seeped from the corner of my mouth, my ears ringing. Still, I clenched my teeth and stayed silent.

It wasn't until the tenth strike that Dominic stopped.

Around us, the guests murmured among themselves.

"Poor thing. And on her birthday, too."

"Serves her right for bullying others!"

Meanwhile, Dominic gently took Lena's hand. "Does it hurt? Let me get you some ointment."

Just like that, he scooped Lena up and walked away without a backward glance.

The moment the bodyguards let go, I collapsed to the floor. My cheek burned, but the pain in my chest was far worse.

I regretted ever falling in love with Dominic.