Chapter 3

"You've misunderstood. That was..." My colleague still tried to defend me, but Mia raised her hand, and the bodyguard who was with her immediately punched him in the stomach. He doubled over in pain, unable to say anything more.

I tried to check on him, but Mia kicked my injured spine instead. The pain was enough to make my face turn as pale as a ghost, and my whole body trembled uncontrollably.

Mia dug her heel deep into my injury as she said, "Ryan Hathaway, you're really quite the actor. I pursued you for two years, and you pretended to be aloof, like no woman could ever touch you. I never thought your private life would be this filthy. Even beggars are cleaner than you!

"You were jealous that Afton was healthy, so you deliberately used your own contaminated instruments on him. Now, you've even ruined his face! How can you be this vicious?!"

I gasped through the pain and struggled to speak. "No. That report was..."

Before I could say it was Afton's report, Mia cut me off in a fury. "Enough! You still want to make things up?! After doing something so savage, you don't deserve to be my husband! The engagement is off! Afton suffered so much because of you. I'll never forgive you!

"I've already contacted the person who claimed you. No matter what happens, I'll never care about you again!"

After that, she kicked my face away in disgust and slammed the door behind her.

A few minutes later, someone pushed the ward door open.

I struggled to raise my head, thinking it would be that person. But standing in front of me were several obese middle-aged women with sores all over their faces. They grabbed at my belt, and the stench from them was enough to suffocate me. I struggled desperately to escape, but then I saw Afton at the door.

He looked down at me and smiled venomously. "This is what you get for stealing my woman, you low-life. You didn't know, did you? I was Mia's first love. Back then, she locked herself in the family chapel for seven days and nights and nearly died because she insisted on being with me.

"You thought Mia got together with you because she loved you? It was only because her family finally gave in and stated that she had to get married before I could return to the country!"

He made no effort to hide the provocation in his eyes. "Mia said she was thinking of me every time she slept with you. Too bad you've never satisfied her."

My heart clenched as my eyes reddened, as I wished I could throw myself at him. "How could you?!"

But the women pinned me down, and I could only roar in helplessness.

Afton laughed proudly. "No one stops until I say so. I want him filthy to the core, so Mia will never want to see him again."

He walked out and locked the door.

The women's hideous faces leaned closer as they tore at my clothes, and I closed my eyes in despair.

In the next room, Mia clenched her hand uneasily. Afton held it and comforted her. "Don't worry. They're only scaring him a bit. I'll make them leave and take Ryan for treatment in a little while."

Mia hugged him tightly in gratitude. "Afton, I really do love Ryan. Thank you for being willing to forgive him. Don't worry. I'll send him to training classes so he can learn the rules properly. I promise he won't target you again after he marries me."

A dark flicker crossed Afton's eyes, and his hand slid suggestively into her clothes. "Mia, I can't leave you. Can you stay with me one last time before Ryan comes out?"

The two of them were kissing when they suddenly heard a loud crash.

Chaotic footsteps came from outside. "Oh, no! Dr. Hathaway jumped from the building!"