Chapter 3

Felix yelled, "What did I ever do to deserve this kind of torment from you? Until Riley's back to normal, don't even think about earning a single cent!"

I meant to explain that I hadn't been targeting Riley.

But before I could, a black van pulled up in front of me. The thugs from the underground casino climbed out and closed in on me, clubs in hand.

"Can't earn money, and all you do is cause trouble? All I had you do was sell drinks, and you still managed to get yourself thrown out! What, you want to go back to taking punches and sleeping with clients?

"You owe the casino thirty thousand in breach-of-contract fees. Pay up now!"

The color drained from my face. "I really don't have any money..."

What I got in return was a storm of punches and kicks.

I knew all too well how a club felt landing on my body. So why did it hurt so much more this time?

When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the home I'd longed for day and night, as luxurious and cozy as ever.

Suddenly, my mother's loving face appeared before me.

I reached out longingly to touch her, but the next second, a slap came crashing down without warning. "Are you trying to drive me into an early grave? Riley is Felix's true love! How could you spread rumors online calling her a homewrecker?

"And here I was, thinking of bringing you home. Clearly, there's no need for that now!"

A news alert popped up on a phone.

[Skye Group CEO's Fiancée Exposed as Homewrecker Who Stole Another Woman's Husband; Wife Thrown Out of Home, Now Struggling to Scrape By]

I shook my head, about to explain.

Before I could, Felix threw a cup of tea in my face.

His expression was dark, and suddenly he seemed like a frightening stranger.

"Those injuries on your face are just makeup, aren't they? You went to all this trouble, and you won't stop until you've driven Riley to her death?

"Tell me. What will it take for you to leave her alone?"

In that moment, something inside me seemed to snap.

Suddenly, death didn't seem so frightening after all.

I stared up at the ceiling and smiled foolishly. "Thirty thousand and fifty-three dollars. Once I get the money, I'll never bother any of you again."

Dead silence fell over the room.

Felix abruptly loomed into view and grabbed me by the collar, his eyes dark and menacing. "What did you say?"

The shock in his eyes lingered for a long time, as if he'd never truly known me.

"Avery."

Riley's voice broke the standoff. She ran over and knelt in front of me.

"Honestly, I don't care if you call me a homewrecker. But our wedding is coming up. You should think about Felix, and about Mom's reputation too."

Reputation?

For the past three years, I'd survived on my back beneath old men. I only got to eat when they tossed me some money. I'd lost any dignity I had a long time ago.

Was it really too much to want to pay off all my debts before I died, and give myself a decent coffin?

My mouth full of blood, I smiled, foolish and pathetic.

Riley froze for a second, then snatched up a knife and held it to her own face. "I'll slash my face right now! Then I'll admit I'm the homewrecker at a press conference and step aside for you, Avery!"

As she spoke, the tip of the blade was about to pierce her fair skin.

Felix lunged forward and snatched the knife away. "Riley, you're not the one in the wrong here."

Mom crowded around her too, her heart aching. "My baby girl, if you hurt yourself, I won't want to live either!"

Leaning against the wall for support, I stood apart from them, as if I were the villain.

The whole scene dragged on for over ten minutes before things finally calmed down.

Utterly disappointed in me, Felix said to me in a heartless voice, "Go on a livestream, clear up who Riley really is, and take the homewrecker label for yourself. Then I'll give you the money you want."