Chapter 2

My face turned grim.

"Mom, Dad, every piece of gold jewelry Victoria owns was bought by me," I said. "So, why would I steal a bracelet? You can't just make accusations out of thin air because you've got a problem with me!"

Maybe they remembered how generous I'd always been with Victoria, because for a moment, both of them looked away in guilt.

However, Jonathan refused to let the matter rest. He drove a punch into me that was hard enough to knock me flat on the ground.

"Michael Hoffman, I was trying not to humiliate you during the holidays, but you just had to keep lying through your teeth! If you won't admit it, then don't blame me for what I'm about to do next!"

He pinned me to the ground, shoved a hand into my pants pocket, and pulled out a gold bracelet, which he then held up high for everyone to see.

"Now that the evidence is right here, what do you have to say for yourself? Lowlifes like you truly disgust me!"

I froze because I had no idea how that bracelet had ended up in my pocket.

Under the light, the pattern on it was clear. It was Dian's gold bracelet.

Jonathan looked down at me, his eyes full of malice.

"People with sticky fingers have filthy minds, too. I heard from some girls in high school that you didn't just steal money. You stole underwear, too! How vile can you get?"

He scoffed. "To think they called you a model student back then. Looks like you are just a negative model."

My eyes burned red with rage. It was obvious that Jonathan had stolen the bracelet himself and planted it on me.

I was just about to expose what he'd done when Victoria suddenly hurled a cup of scalding water straight into my face. "Michael, I didn't think you'd stoop so low. I'm very disappointed in you!"

Diana and Caleb stared at me with disdain.

"If people find out our daughter married a lying thief, how are we supposed to face anyone?"

"Victoria, you need to divorce him right now!"

My body was trembling with rage. Shoving Jonathan off me, I forced myself back to my feet.

But by then, it was obvious they'd already decided I was a thief, which meant they weren't going to listen to a single word I said.

I picked up my cracked phone and tried to call the police.

Framing someone and spreading false accusations were crimes, too. If they wouldn't listen to me, then I'd let the law do the talking.

However, the touchscreen had apparently stopped working. I pressed it several times and still couldn't get the call to go through, which only made it look to them like I was bluffing.

Jonathan kicked me to the ground again, then stomped my phone to pieces. "Who are you trying to fool? Like you'd dare to call the cops. What, trying to play the victim now?"

That kick landed hard enough to leave my abdomen throbbing with pain, and I couldn't get up right away.

Jonathan reached for Victoria's hand, his gaze tender.

"See? This is exactly what I meant. There aren't any good guys out there besides me. It's all an act. He says he works at the courthouse, but from the looks of it, I'd say he only ever ends up there after getting sued for all his petty crimes."

I forced myself to look at Victoria. She didn't pull her hand away. Instead, she leaned into him and started wiping her tears.

My blood ran cold.

"You set me up!" I said through gritted teeth.

Jonathan kicked me again, right in the chest. "Quit making things up! I'm calling the cops this second to get you arrested for theft!"

He really did make the call.

Not long after, a group of men in cheap uniforms came rushing in. None of them had badge numbers as they dragged me over, cuffed me to a table leg, and started pummeling me.

I had no way to fight back, and there was nowhere to dodge. Before long, the taste of blood filled my mouth. They'd probably broken one of my ribs because even breathing sent a stabbing pain through my chest.

On top of that, they forced me to the ground and stomped on my face.

No one seemed to think anything was wrong, and no one questioned who these men really were.

I struggled to grab hold of Victoria's pant leg. "They're not real—"

She kicked my hand away before I could finish, her face twisting with disgust and contempt.

"Michael, the only reason I agreed to your proposal in the first place was that I'd fought with Jonathan back then and wanted to get back at him."