Chapter 6

The florist's startled cry instantly drew the attention of everyone nearby.

"So you're the woman who falsely accused someone's father of sexual assault?

"You couldn't get the man you wanted, so you destroyed an entire family. You're disgusting!

"Dr. Hayes has contributed so much to the field. How did he end up marrying a woman like you?"

A rotten egg suddenly flew out of the crowd and smashed against Mia.

She wasn't hurt.

But the foul smell and the sticky egg running down her clothes were humiliating enough.

Mia's entire body went cold.

"I didn't falsely accuse anyone!"

Her voice cracked as she shouted.

But her denial sounded weak against the furious crowd.

No one believed her.

So this was Mark's ultimate revenge?

He was going to destroy her reputation piece by piece until she ended up exactly like Professor Lane?

Her denial only made the crowd angrier.

"You're unbelievable! The evidence is right there, and you're still denying it!

"You drove Professor Lane to his death. You're a murderer!"

A rock suddenly flew through the air and struck Mia squarely in the forehead.

Blood immediately streamed down her brow, blurring her vision.

Then more things began flying at her.

People shoved forward from every direction.

Someone pushed her hard, sending her crashing to the ground.

Mia curled into herself helplessly and raised her arms to protect her head.

It wasn't until the florist frantically called the police that the crowd finally scattered.

Mia struggled to her feet.

Bruises covered every exposed patch of skin, and blood was still seeping from the wound on her forehead.

"Do you want us to take you to the hospital?" the florist asked anxiously.

"Thank you, but no."

Mia shook her head.

She went to the hospital alone and had the wound treated.

As she walked out, her attorney called.

"Ms. Sterling, your divorce has been finalized. You just need to pick up the certified decree from the courthouse."

The tension Mia had carried for days finally loosened.

She let out a long breath.

"Okay."

The call hadn't even ended when a sharp pain exploded at the back of her head.

Something heavy had struck her.

Her vision went black.

She lost consciousness instantly.

When Mia opened her eyes again, her wrists and ankles were tightly bound with coarse rope.

The air smelled of mold, rust, and stagnant water.

It looked like an abandoned warehouse.

Two rough-looking men stood in front of her.

One had a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth.

He gave her a vicious grin.

"Awake, Ms. Sterling?"

Mia's heart clenched.

She forced herself to stay calm.

"How much do you want?

"The Sterling family will pay whatever you ask."

"Money?"

The kidnapper sneered, his eyes turning vicious.

"We're here to collect a life.

"You drove Professor Lane to his death.

"Today, you're going to pay for his life with yours."

Mia felt every drop of blood in her body turn cold.

She remembered what Mark had said about avenging Sienna.

So ruining Mia's reputation hadn't been enough.

He wanted her dead too.

Despair swallowed her whole.

Her entire body went cold, and she didn't even have the strength to struggle.

Mark really hated her that much.

She had once believed that after five years of sharing a home and a bed, he must have developed at least some feelings for her.

But nothing she had suffered before compared to the pain of this realization.

The kidnapper saw how pale she had become and assumed she was terrified.

He grabbed a fistful of her hair and dragged her across the floor.

The rough concrete scraped her skin raw.

The wounds on her back from the bed of nails split open again.

The smell of blood mixed with the moldy air.

"You destroyed Professor Lane.

"You should've known you'd have to pay with your life!"

They dragged her to the edge of a foul-smelling pool of wastewater.

One of the men forced her head down.

Again and again, he plunged her face into the black, filthy water.

Panic and suffocation tore through her.

Dirty water flooded her nose and throat, making her entire body convulse in pain.

Mia closed her eyes.

She stopped struggling completely.

Blood filled her mouth.

Even the black water around her began to turn red.

Just as her consciousness was about to disappear, the warehouse doors burst open.

With the last of her strength, Mia forced her eyes open.

Her father stood there, his face filled with panic.

"Get my daughter out of there!"

The kidnappers were quickly subdued.

Someone cut Mia free.

But she was too weak to stand.

She collapsed onto the floor, clutching her chest as violent coughs racked her body.

Mr. Sterling hurried over and supported her.

"I'm taking you to the hospital."

Mia pushed his hand away.

Her gaze was unusually firm.

"My divorce papers…"

Mr. Sterling froze.

Then he quickly took out the certified divorce decree and handed it to her.

"Mark's copy has already been delivered to him."

The moment Mia heard that, a relieved smile finally appeared on her face.

"Dad…

"Have the plane take me straight to the capital."

She never wanted to stay in Harbor City again.

And she never wanted to see Mark Hayes again.

As the plane climbed through the clouds, Mia turned toward the window.

Harbor City grew smaller and smaller beneath her.

She rested her head against the glass.

Then slowly closed her eyes.