Chapter 4

In the past, Natalie had swallowed her anger and endured it all, sacrificing her reputation and innocence for what she had believed was a precious love.

However, since Adrian didn't love her, she had no reason to trap herself in this mess.

As the cab stopped, Natalie opened the car door and bumped into Adrian.

When their eyes met, he noticed her weariness and said softly, "I'll deal with those photos."

Natalie scoffed. Presumably, his proposed solution was merely to keep the scandal under wraps and have everyone gradually forget about it as time passed.

Even if he did that, she would still be branded as a shameless mistress. Those mocking remarks and comments would still leave wounds that could never be erased.

And so, she said, "If you're just going to remove the trending posts and take them down, you don't have to. I'm going to explain that I'm not a slut or a shameless mistress. I must prove my innocence!"

As soon as she said that, Adrian lunged forward and grabbed her wrist. His soft gaze turned icy. "Natalie, our relationship can't be revealed yet. Can't you understand me? Stop making a scene!"

She looked back at him. "Making a scene? Do you still think I'm the one being unreasonable?" Her eyes held nothing but disbelief and bitter sorrow.

So, Adrian had never truly cared about her sadness and despair. Everything she had gone through was insignificant in the eyes of the aloof Adrian. Her scalp, which had been bandaged not long ago, was now throbbing with pain, and she trembled slightly.

However, Adrian simply frowned and coldly ordered, "It doesn't matter. You must keep waiting!"

Immediately, several bodyguards swarmed Natalie, grabbed her arms, and shoved her into the car. She tried to struggle, wanting to escape this increasingly difficult situation. But she was outnumbered and outmatched.

An hour later, she was thrown onto the bed. Adrian slammed the door shut and locked it. Natalie instinctively tried to escape, but she was grabbed and thrown back onto the bed.

Adrian's eyes were slightly red. He roughly trapped her in his arms before kissing her hard, forcefully prying her lips open with his tongue. But then, he hissed when Natalie bit him, and he tasted a hint of blood.

Instead of getting angry, he smiled, his eyes cold. "Natalie, you used to be so obedient. What's wrong with you lately? Are you trying to force my hand?"

Natalie stared straight into those cold and weary eyes, fighting back her tears. However, she didn't cry. She refused to show weakness. "Adrian, I've had enough. I'm sick of this whole charade of being your wife behind closed doors and your kept woman in public. I don't want to play this game anymore."

Adrian stared at her tearful eyes. And after a long silence, he sneered, "Natalie, I've given you so much. And now, you regret everything? You don't get to decide anymore."

He slowly lowered his head, silencing all of Natalie's protests with his tongue. Soon, he flipped her over and entered her. He gave her no chance to catch her breath.

After they finished their romp, Adrian emerged from the bathroom and donned his suit. Once again, he was the arrogant and cold man he had always been. It was as if the man who had just lost himself in her had never existed.

He said, "Be a good girl. You have to wait, even if you don't want to. Understood?"

The door then slammed shut, and the room was quiet again.

Natalie got up and began tidying her disheveled appearance, only to hear hushed voices conversing outside the door.

"Mr. Carter, are you really not going to help Ms. Shaw?"

Adrian flicked the ash from his cigarette, his tone flippant. "Don't bother with her. The worse things get for her, the better. Release those photos. I want her trending again."

"I-Isn't that a bit too far? She's gone through a lot over the past five years!"

After a moment of silence, she heard Adrian sigh. "This is the only way to keep her completely safe. Just do as I say."

So that was it. Adrian was the reason for every misunderstanding, every mocking remark, and every humiliation she had endured.

Natalie slumped against the wall, clutching her aching chest as she struggled for breath. She had never once imagined that Adrian would go to such lengths to protect Olivia. He had been willing to sacrifice her, using her as a stepping stone and making her the center of countless scandals just to pave the way for Olivia.

The beautiful memories of their youth together were shattered beyond repair.

"Adrian, you're truly heartless!" she muttered.