Chapter - 2

The surroundings of the mansion were already cloaked in darkness, with only the large bulbs hanging in every corner of the garden providing a sliver of light. I carried a bowl of food for the dog, Bruno. Despite being exhausted from a full day of tending to Don Freddie, I never forgot to feed my husband’s dog.

As I walked alongside the high wall of the mansion, I suddenly stopped. I heard a strange sound coming from a dark part of the garden, a sound like someone struggling to breathe, as if being strangled, or like an animal giving birth in the intensity of its moaning.

"Ana?" I called out softly when I saw the familiar shadow of my fellow maid.

Ana was facing me, her knees buckling, eyes bulging, and her mouth open as if wanting to scream, but no voice came out. Behind her was a man I couldn't quite make out because the thick branches of the hibiscus bushes obscured them. All I could see was the man’s hand gripped tightly around Ana's neck, seemingly strangling her with sheer cruelty.

Fearing that something terrible would happen to Ana, I didn't stop to think. I quickly turned and grabbed a piece of hardwood—a leftover piece of firewood from when the staff roasted a pig for my wedding to Freddie. With all my might, I raised the wood and, without hesitation, swung it at the man’s face.

A crisp thud echoed. The wood struck the side of the man’s jaw and cheek.

"F*ck!" a baritone voice groaned in pain and rage.

The man let go of Ana, who quickly sank to the grass, gasping for air. It was only then that my eyes widened. As the man slowly stepped out of the shadows of the hibiscus, I felt my entire body go cold.

It wasn't just any thief. The man I had struck was none other than Henry—my husband’s son, who had just returned from Europe. There was a smear of blood on the corner of his lip, and his eyes seemed to burn like fire in his intense rage.

"S-Sir Henry..." I stammered, dropping the wood. "I thought... I thought you were hurting Ana."

Henry didn't answer. Instead, he took a swift step forward, and before I could run, he grabbed me tightly by the neck. He slammed me against the wall with all his strength, causing my breath to hitch.

"You... you little b*tch," Henry snarled, his face only inches away from mine. I could feel his hot, fragrant breath mixed with the scent of alcohol. "Who are you to hurt me in my own home? Do you think because you married my old father, you have rights here? Especially the right to hurt me?"

"M-My mistake... I'm sorry..." I sobbed, trying to pry Henry's hand from my neck, but it was like iron.

Henry was further consumed by rage. He pressed his body even closer to mine, filling every inch of space between us. Due to the intense closeness of our bodies, I felt a hard, hot object poking against my stomach—Henry’s hard manhood, seemingly awakened by the intensity of his anger.

I gasped. I knew what it was. I could feel its hardness despite my thin dress.

"See this?" Henry whispered, pressing his lower body harder against my stomach while his other hand gripped my jaw to force me to look at him. "I am so furious with you, woman, but you just added to my rage. And because of what you did, I’ll make sure you won’t get any sleep tonight."

"S-Sir, please... h-have mercy..."

I couldn't breathe. Henry’s hand strangling my neck felt like steel, while my back was being forced into the cold, rough cement of the wall.

"S-Sir... y-you have it wrong..." My defense was stuttering and trembling. Tears began to well in the corners of my eyes.

A bitter, mocking smirk formed on Henry’s lips. Instead of loosening his grip, he pressed his body even harder against me. Consequently, I felt the hard surge of Henry’s manhood poking against my lower abdomen even more. I felt uncomfortable because of the heat and a feeling I couldn't explain.

Suddenly, Henry grabbed the thin fabric of my dress near the chest, enough to hear the faint rip of the seams. I gasped and tried to cover myself, but Henry was faster.

"Why, Solana? Are you jealous?" Henry whispered mockingly while looking at my trembling lips. "Is that why you hit me, because you wanted me to notice you? Because you want to be in Ana’s position?"

"N-No... I—I was helping her—"

"Liar!"

"S—Sir… please," I pleaded, finally breaking into tears.

"Stop it with this 'good girl' act!" Henry snapped, pressing his face closer to my neck. "What? Does your husband’s c*ck not get up anymore, so you're looking for something hard? Are you that thirsty because you settled for a decrepit old man just for money?"

"Sir, please don't talk about your Papa like that..." I pleaded through my tears.

Henry let out a sarcastic laugh. "Don't you? Why does it hurt you? Or does it hurt because you know it's true? Tell me, what's your price? How much did Dad pay for you to please him?"

Henry violently pulled my hair to make me look up at him. "You got billions... but it seems you weren't satisfied in bed. I can feel you trembling, Solana. Are you scared? Or are you getting wet because, for the first time in a long while, you're feeling like a man who still has his strength?"

"Y—You're wrong... I'm not that kind of woman..."

"Liar!" Henry shouted.

"Don't treat me like a fool, like Dad did. He paid you, and as payment for what you did, you’re on my list!"

Henry pressed his lower body firmly between my thighs, making me feel every inch of his hardness. "You want it hard, don't you? Something you can feel all the way to your throat? I’ll make sure you never forget this night, bitch!"

"Henry! That’s enough!"

A loud voice caught Henry’s attention; it was his Godfather, Roberto. He violently and abruptly let go of my neck. I almost fell and nearly slammed my face into the plants. My whole body was shaking as I mabilis na niyakap ang sarili ko (quickly hugged myself) to hide my exposed bra from where Henry had grabbed my dress, my sobs barely audible due to extreme fear.

Ninong Roberto stood not far away, his face full of disappointment and anger as he looked at his godson.

"Go now, Sol. Go inside," the old man ordered, gentle yet firm. He stepped forward slightly to block Henry’s view of me.

"I apologize for what my godson has done. Go now!"