Chapter 3

After Cedric left, I collapsed onto the floor, completely drained of strength.

Then I laughed through my tears.

My thoughts drifted back to our first meeting.

That day, our school organized a trip to the beach. I accidentally wandered into deep water.

The waves swallowed me whole and I thought I was going to die. Then Cedric appeared.

He came to save me, got tangled in seaweed, and nearly lost his own life.

I was drawn to his bright, handsome face and insisted on getting his contact information.

We dated for two years. On the day he proposed, he swore to me, “Elysia, you are the only woman I will ever love. No matter what happens, I will always trust you and never hurt you.”

After marriage, he truly treated me well, doting on me in every possible way.

Together, we took out loans to build a maritime rescue company.

That was also where he supposedly died in an accident.

I never expected it all to be part of his deception.

Staggering to my feet, I was about to leave when several leering men burst into the room.

I instinctively backed away, staring at them warily.

“What do you want?”

A tall, pockmarked man with a greasy smile stepped toward me.

“Relax, sweetheart. We’re not strangers.”

In his hand was a long syringe. My legs trembled in fear.

Back then, when debt collectors came to my door and I could not pay, they used those same syringes to draw my blood.

“I don’t have your money. If you want payment, go find Cedric. He’s not dead. He’s the live-in son-in-law of the Lane family.”

The man burst out laughing. He looked at me like I was an idiot.

“You still think we’re actually here to collect debt from you?

“That was just a story Mr. Foster made up to keep you distracted and away from him.

“The company you worked so hard for? It was never bankrupt. It’s being run by him and Miss Lane.”

It felt like a lightning bolt struck my mind.

Everything I had risked my life for was fake.

I was laughably stupid.

“Someone told us to ‘play with you’ however we want,” said the man with a twisted grin.

“Don’t worry. We’ll be gentle. You’ll never forget it.”

As their disgusting hands moved closer, I desperately dialed a number.

“Cedric, some men are trying to hurt me. Come quickly. I’m at the apartment from earlier.”

However, the voice that answered wasn’t his.

It was Victoria.

“Darling, you’re seriously still messing around with that girl? You go over there, and we’re done.”

Cedric’s cold voice followed, “Elysia, don’t call me again. You’re upsetting my wife.

“I know this is just your way of trying to win me back, but I won’t fall for it.”

The next second, I heard breathless sounds that shattered whatever was left of my heart.

“Honey, be gentler. I can’t take it anymore…”

I laughed. It was a hollow, broken laugh.

Cedric, you finally killed every last bit of love I had for you.

The men’s filthy hands roamed over me. Their voices were filled with obscene laughter, yet I could not hear any of it anymore.

With all my remaining strength, I slammed myself into the wall.

When I opened my eyes again, all I heard was the steady drip of medical equipment.

The nurse told me gently, “Take it slow. You suffered a severe head injury and a mild concussion.”

“And I…?”

She cut me off before I could finish.

“Don’t worry. You weren’t assaulted. Someone passing by noticed something was wrong and called the police in time.”

I let out a breath I did not realize I was holding.

Then my best friend rushed in, crying as she ran.

She handed me a paternity test report.

I looked at it and laughed.