Chapter 4 The Debt Was Paid in Blood

My cheek burned as I clutched it and sank to the floor.

But Chelsea was not finished.

She leaned close to my ear and whispered with a vicious smile, "You think he likes you just because he showed you a little kindness? Listen to this."

The next second, she played a voice recording on her phone.

"Chelsea, I only married Audrey because of you. First, it makes up for you hitting her grandmother. Second, we need someone to keep people from suspecting us. Two birds with one stone, don't you think?"

I froze. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. 'Don't you think?'

It was a perfect plan. Gideon had calculated everything.

After everything that had happened, I had actually treated the woman who hurt my grandmother like my greatest benefactor.

The last thread of reason snapped. I saw red as I lunged at Chelsea.

I wanted to tear her face apart. I wanted her blood. I wanted to grind her bones to dust.

Before I could reach her, Gideon rushed over and blocked my way. He shoved me without hesitation.

I flew backward like a rag doll and crashed into the corner of the wall. Slowly, I turned my head. The first thing I saw was Gideon looking Chelsea over from head to toe.

"Are you hurt?"

Chelsea immediately shook her head, her voice turning soft and pitiful. "Gideon, Audrey suddenly went crazy. She tried to strangle me."

Only then did Gideon look at me. His eyes were cold, filled with reproach. "I'm only going to say this once. Apologize. Now."

My vision blurred with bitter tears. My voice came out hoarse. "Gideon… she hit my grand—"

"It doesn't matter."

He walked over, crouched in front of me, and even took out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from my forehead.

But the words that left his mouth pierced deeper than any blade.

"She hit your grandmother, but I also saved your grandmother. I paid for your education, and I married you. Isn't that enough? Besides, your grandmother was old. She was going to die anyway.

"You should be thanking Chelsea. If it weren't for her, your grandmother wouldn't have had the chance to lie in bed and pass away peacefully."

Blood trickled past my eyelids. It felt like it was dripping straight into my heart, burning holes through it.

The first time, Chelsea had nearly killed my grandmother. The second time, she had deliberately dragged out her suffering until she died.

And Gideon expected me to thank her? To thank the woman who killed my grandmother?

I gritted my teeth. "Aren't you afraid I'll report her?"

Gideon let out a quiet chuckle. "Go ahead."

…

That night, I called every police station in Ashbourne. Every answer was the same. "The traffic accident was ruled an accident, and the case has already been closed."

The next evening, at seven, I arrived at the private dining room on time.

Only then did I learn the banquet was celebrating Gideon's discovery of a new asteroid. He had named it Cheldeon.

Only then did his colleagues realize the "Chel" referred to Chelsea, not me, his wife.

The looks they gave us instantly turned knowing.

Gideon put food on my plate several times and asked me to join him in toasting everyone. I ignored him.

Halfway through the banquet, I left to find the restroom.

On my way back, someone dragged me into the private room across the hall.

I was about to scream for help when I looked up and saw Gideon walking in. Chelsea was in his arms, her clothes disheveled.

"Gideon, don't blame Audrey. She's still angry because I hit her grandmother, so she hired someone to… violate me."

I never acted without being certain. "That's not—"

Gideon cut me off in a cold voice. "Audrey, are you ever going to stop? You want revenge that badly? Then, I'll return the favor. Get in here."

A crowd of bodyguards rushed through the door, filling the room.

"Have your way with her."

"Gideon, you animal! I'll never forgive you!"

A hand clamped over my mouth. The sound of my clothes ripping echoed like thunder.

Chelsea curled up in Gideon's arms. No matter how hard she tried, she could not hide the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

One of the men hesitated. "Mrs. Clarke… is still a virgin."

Gideon said nothing. He stood silhouetted in the doorway, his face hidden by the light behind him.

Suddenly, Chelsea screamed and threw herself toward the wall. "I can't live with this shame! Just let me die!"

That single act made Gideon turn away completely. He raised one hand, and the door swung shut.

Outside, he held Chelsea in his arms, comforting her in a gentle voice.

Inside, my muffled screams filled the room until I bit through my tongue.

There were too many of them. One after another, they crushed me beneath their weight like boulders.

Pain. Tears. Blurred faces. Everything spun together before my eyes.

I blacked out. Then, I woke again. My entire body had gone numb with pain. Curled into myself, I could not stop shaking.

I could not even remember who draped a jacket over me at the end or quietly whispered, "I'm sorry."

Bright red blood streamed down my legs. My trembling hands barely managed to pull my clothes back on.

I found the bag I had brought with me and stumbled out of the room. Then I climbed into a taxi.

The woman behind the wheel took one look at my miserable state and asked cautiously, "Miss, should I take you to the hospital?"

My throat was raw with blood. I could not force out a single word.

All I could do was shake my head and write in her palm. "Airport. As fast as you can."

Snow fell heavily outside.

At ten that night, my taxi cut through the freezing darkness. Coming from the opposite direction was Gideon's black SUV.

As the two vehicles passed each other, Gideon's gaze pierced through the neon reflections on the window and landed squarely on me.