Chapter 4

Sophie's POV

I was too drained to answer. All I felt was bone-deep exhaustion.

But my reaction seemed to cut Ian to the core. He grabbed me by the collar with both hands and let out a furious, mocking laugh.

"You pushed me to do this, Sophie. I was going to let everything go after tonight, but now, I need you to feel every ounce of the pain I did," he hissed.

He suddenly released me and beckoned Jessica over. "Sophie and I are having our wedding soon. When the time comes, you'll be the bride."

She flew into his arms, looking ecstatic. "Really? Then I want Sophie to be my bridesmaid. I was hers five years ago, so she has to be mine now. That's only fair."

"Sure. She'll be your maid of honor. She can bring us the rings." Ian stared straight at me as he spat each word slowly, every syllable slicing through my heart.

I lifted my head in disbelief. I wanted to refuse, but my throat burned too much for any sound to come out. All I could do was shake my head in helpless despair.

His lips twisted into a cruel smile at that. "Hurts, doesn't it? Feels awful, right? Good. That's how it should be. When you married someone else five years ago, I felt exactly the way you do now."

I stared at his face, warped by hatred. For a second, I froze. Then, it clicked.

Ian didn't actually care about fairness. He just wanted me to suffer like he once had. The more I hurt, the more satisfied he felt.

So, I pressed a hand against my heart, which was already so numb that it barely felt like it belonged to me. I forced a smile. "No, it doesn't. I'm not hurt, Ian. I'm just disgusted."

That set him off. He let go of Jessica and started dragging me upstairs. I struggled with everything I had, but I was no match for his strength.

When we passed the master bedroom, his steps faltered for just a moment. Then, he kicked open the door to the room next to it and shoved me in. As the door started to slam shut, I reached out to block it.

"Let me out—"

But I was a second too late. The door shut in my face. Ian's frosty voice drifted in from the hallway. "You're disgusted, huh? Well, there's something even more disgusting waiting for you tonight. Jessica, come up."

At that, I froze on the spot, a chill running down my spine.