Chapter 5

After Melissa finished speaking, she backed away, allowing the men to surge forward. Their hands stretched out to touch my body greedily.

Rage and revulsion had me biting down on the leader's wrist before I bit off a chunk of flesh.

The man yelled in pain and jerked his hand back. Then, he slapped me with such force that my teeth cut into my lips, causing blood to trickle out.

Not satisfied with just that, he straddled my body, wrapped his hand around my throat, and started punching my face.

Excruciating pain dominated all my senses while blood stained my vision red.

Just as I thought I was about to die, I vaguely heard someone opening the door before the man was shoved off of me.

"Mom, stop it! How could you do this to Jennifer? She's my wife!

"Jennifer! Jennifer! Are you alright?"

The leader was so consumed by his rage that he kicked Shawn away without any mercy. "Get lost! How dare she bite off my flesh? I can't call myself a man if I don't kill her today!"

Melissa quickly dragged Shawn away. "How can you feel sorry for a woman wicked enough to send your mother to prison? I definitely won't forgive you if you dare help this bitch!"

Breath rattling in my chest, I lifted my head with much difficulty to gaze at Melissa. I honestly didn't understand why she hated me so much, to the point that she wanted me dead.

I had been nothing but nice to her ever since I married Shawn. I even bought her plenty of expensive jewelry.

So, if I had to die, I had to know the reason.

"Just because I refused to pay you the 326 dollars for the Christmas dinner, you resent me so much that you want me to die?"

With a prim nod, Melissa answered self-righteously, "Yes! You refused to pay and wanted to freeload off of us! So what if you're the daughter of a rich family? Since you married into the Zink family, you have to follow our rules!"

It was then that realization dawned on me.

This had never been about money. Melissa had wanted to show me who was boss at the Christmas dinner, but when she failed, she felt utterly humiliated.

That was why she kept harping on the matter and refused to let it go. She likely felt that a good daughter-in-law was one who was submissive to her and obeyed her every wish.

It was truly laughable how close-minded and conservative she was.

My current situation finally satisfied her pride and allowed her to abuse her authority as my mother-in-law. Smug delight painted her face as she ordered the men around arrogantly.

"Well? Are you guys going to have your way with the bitch or not? If not, hurry up and strip her naked before throwing her out on the streets! Let's see what man would still want her then!"

My resistance had successfully ruined the mood for the men, and they were no longer interested in forcing themselves on me. Instead, they turned their focus to ripping off my clothes.

I was no match against several grown men. It didn't take long before I was completely exposed.

There was a conflicted expression on Shawn's face. He wanted to stop them, but at the same time, he was too afraid of Melissa to do anything.

Seeing that, I felt the last bit of hope I had held out for him shrivel up and die. I curled into a ball in despair, trying my best to cover my body.

Right as they were about to toss me out, the door was kicked open with a loud bang.

"Freeze! Police!"

Immediately after, my mother came rushing inside before pulling me into a hug. "Don't be scared, Jennifer. Your dad and I are here!"