Chapter 3

Lucas took off his suit jacket and put it around Shannon's shoulders. Then, he lifted her into his arms and carried her off stage.

He wasn't bothered by the red paint getting onto his white shirt. He comforted her tenderly.

As he walked past Chelsey, his expression turned frosty. He growled, "I won't let anyone who's harmed Shannon off the hook. That includes you!"

His accusation was like a stab to Chelsey's heart. It was silent, but it hurt like hell.

She stared at him in disbelief. "What's that supposed to mean?"

His rage almost swept her away. "Doing these things will only make me detest you, Chelsey!"

She held back her tears. "Why are you so sure that it's me? Do you have proof?"

"Who else could it be? Don't play dumb with me, Chelsey. I can't believe you'd pull such a ruthless trick. If Shannon's hand doesn't recover fully, I'll break yours."

Lucas was already sure that Chelsey was the one who'd harmed Shannon, and nothing she said would change that.

He was her husband and the man she'd cared for with all her heart for three years. Yet now, he was accusing and shaming her in front of so many people for another woman's sake.

The grievance and disappointment made Chelsey's throat tighten. She felt like there was a hand at her throat trying to strangle her.

She widened her eyes to keep the tears from rolling down. Then, she sneered. "For all you know, Shannon could've been subject to this because she's involved with you and another man. What makes you so sure I'm behind this?"

"Shut up! Don't you dare say that about Shannon. She's not that sort of woman!" Lucas roared.

His eyes burned with fury. To him, Shannon was his first love and the very definition of innocence and flawlessness. He wouldn't allow anyone to ruin that. Whoever had the nerve to try to sully her would be headed for certain death.

Chelsey was mad now. She shouted, "What the hell is wrong with you, Lucas? I'm your wife, not Shannon White. She's nothing!"

At this moment, Shannon struggled out of Lucas' embrace and got to her feet as tears streamed down her face.

She looked unbelievably pitiful, and her tone was pleading as she said, "I didn't seduce Lucas. He and I are childhood sweethearts who grew up together, and … our marital home was prepared three years ago.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Jenson. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have allowed anyone to hurt me, nor should I have allowed Lucas to take me to the hospital. I … I deserve to die for disturbing your lives …"

Shannon wept as she continued, "Let me go, Lucas. I shouldn't have returned to the country, so just let me leave. Lucas …"

As she spoke, she shut her eyes. Then, she fainted and fell to the floor.

In everyone's eyes, Chelsey had pushed her so far that she'd fainted. Her magnanimity and grievance only accentuated Chelsey's dominance and ruthlessness.

In the heat of the moment, Lucas snarled, "If I'd known you were this cruel, I wouldn't have married you. What makes you think you stand a chance against Shannon? You're not even worthy of being compared to her! You're nothing but a caregiver my mother hired for me.

"Look at what you've done to Shannon. I don't want to see you ever again. Fuck off!"

With that, Lucas shoved Chelsey to the floor. Then, he lifted Shannon into his arms and stormed off without another look back.

Chelsey looked up. She didn't know whether she was imagining things, but she seemed to see a hint of a victorious smile on Shannon's lips. Wasn't she supposed to be out cold?

Before she could process this, the crowd had circled her. Neither of them pitied her. Instead, they were quick to point fingers at her.

"Shannon's such a poor thing. If not for you, she and Mr. Yates would've already married ages ago. By now, their kids would've been running all over the place!"