Chapter 4

Karina remained perfectly calm, her eyes cool and steady.

“Grandma, I’m sure you haven’t forgotten that the Foster family has another rule.

“If both spouses willingly agree to end the marriage, divorce is allowed.”

Judy's expression darkened instantly.

“Karina, if you already know that, then why are you bringing this to me?

“If you can get Mark to willingly agree to divorce you, I won’t stop you.

“Grandma, he already agreed."

Karina gave a slight nod, unlocked her phone, and opened her conversation with Mark.

His latest reply was the same cold, impersonal word as always.

‘Okay.’

“That ungrateful brat!”

The veins on Judy's hand stood out as she gripped her cane, her entire body trembling with fury.

“He actually agreed!

“The Foster family has upheld its traditions for generations. For over a century, not one member of the Foster family has ever asked for a divorce!”

Her chest heaved with anger and hurt.

“He is willing to go this far for that lunatic?

“How dare he? Does he have no respect for this family’s rules at all?”

Karina’s brows drew together almost imperceptibly.

So everyone knew about Serena.

Had Judy insisted that Mark marry her back then because she disapproved of Serena?

Before Karina could make sense of it, Judy suddenly shouted toward the first floor.

“Mark Foster! Get up here right now!”

A moment later, Mark appeared in the doorway.

Without hesitation, he walked forward and dropped to his knees.

Even on his knees, Mark remained composed and aloof.

The atmosphere in the study immediately turned heavy.

The sight of him only made Judy angrier.

She raised the whip and brought it down hard across his back.

The tip tore through the fabric of his shirt.

A vivid streak of blood appeared almost instantly.

She hadn’t held back at all.

A muffled grunt escaped him.

His back tensed, but he remained kneeling upright.

Karina’s gaze paused for a fraction of a second.

Something faint stirred in her chest.

But it vanished just as quickly.

She looked away.

His pain was no longer her concern.

“Do you know what you did wrong?”

Mark answered in a low voice.

“You’re right to punish me, Grandma. I was wrong.”

“You were wrong?”

Judy let out a furious laugh and struck him again, even harder this time.

“Mark Foster, you don’t even know what you did wrong!”

The second lash crossed the first, blood soaking through his torn shirt.

Mark lowered his eyes, his voice still clear and composed.

“Then tell me, Grandma. I’ll fix it.”

Judy clutched her chest, furious and heartsick.

“Mark Foster, what did you promise me back then?”

“You told me yourself that you would build a proper life with Karina. I gave you every chance to back out, and you still chose to marry her!”

Her body trembled with rage.

“And now? Serena comes back, causes one scene, and suddenly you’ve lost all sense?”

“At the family dinner, you let her sit right beside you in front of everyone. What exactly were you trying to say?”

“Have you forgotten how unstable she was back then? How she nearly ruined you?”

“Mark Foster, are you really going to break the Foster family’s rules for her?”

So he had once loved someone that fiercely.

Karina lowered her eyes, unable to name exactly what she felt.

Resentment.

Pain.

Anger.

But more than anything, relief.

Seven years of marriage had gone on long enough.

It was time to bring it to an end.

Something shifted in Mark’s expression.

His lips parted as if he wanted to explain.

Judy didn’t give him the chance.

In her fury, she brought the whip down a third time.

Even Mark couldn’t completely hide the pain after three brutal lashes.

His shoulders tightened, and his breathing turned uneven.

But when Judy saw that same cold expression still on his face, her anger only worsened.

She clutched her chest.

Her body swayed, and she nearly lost her balance.

“Grandma!”

Seeing her sway, Karina hurried forward and caught her, gently rubbing her back.

“Please don’t get worked up. Your health comes first.”

Concern flickered in Mark’s dark eyes.

Bracing himself against the floor, he started to rise to help.

“Stay on your knees! Don’t move!”

Judy snapped, too angry to even look at him.

“Grandma, don’t be angry. This is my fault.”

Mark stopped trying to get up and settled back onto his knees.

“And I have no intention of getting divorced.”

As he spoke, he lifted his eyes toward Karina.

His gaze was cold and cutting.

Karina knew that look.

He was blaming her again.

It was the same way he’d looked at her when he woke up beside her that night years ago.

Back then, she would’ve rushed to explain herself.

Now, it didn’t matter.

Karina remained completely calm. She poured Judy a glass of water and handed it to her without so much as glancing at Mark.

After taking a few sips, Judy finally caught her breath.

Her gaze moved between the two of them.

Then she slammed her hand down on the desk.

“I don’t care how the two of you argue behind closed doors!

“But divorce is not something you throw around whenever you’re angry!”

The coldness faded from Mark’s eyes, and his voice was low and firm.

“Grandma, when I give my word, I keep it.”

“I married her, and I won’t divorce her for as long as I live.”

Her.

Karina gave a faint, mocking smile.

Seven years of marriage, and he still couldn’t even bring himself to say her name.

Then again, to Mark, it probably didn’t matter who held the title of Mrs. Foster.

If he couldn’t marry Serena, then any other woman would’ve been the same.

“Grandma, I handled things poorly today. It won’t happen again.”

With Mark’s promise, Judy's expression finally softened a little.

She waved a tired hand.

“That’s enough. Both of you, get out.

“I don’t want to hear the word divorce again.

“Get some rest, Grandma.”

Karina quietly reminded her to take care of herself before turning to leave.

As she passed Mark, she caught sight of him bracing a hand against the floor and struggling slightly to get to his feet.

It had nothing to do with her anymore.

She didn’t slow down.

She walked straight out of the study.

Behind her, emotion churned beneath Mark’s usually unreadable gaze.

He forced himself to his feet and followed her out.

Jack had been waiting outside the study, his eyes already red from fear.

The moment he saw the bloody welts across Mark’s back, he burst into tears.

“Dad! Your back is bleeding so much!”

Still crying, he instinctively turned to Karina for help.

Mom might be strict, but she always knew how to fix everything.

“Mom! Hurry, you have to look at Dad’s back!”

But this time, Karina acted as if she hadn’t heard him.

She simply kept walking toward the bedroom.

Ryan stared after her in shock.

Then he turned anxiously to Mark.

“Mark, I think I said something I shouldn’t have. Is she seriously mad this time?”

Even Jack was stunned by Karina’s indifference.

He forgot to cry.

Mark lifted a hand and gently rubbed his son’s head.

“I’m fine. Go to bed.”

Then he looked at Ryan.

“Take Jack to bed.”

Ryan didn’t dare ask anything else. He picked Jack up and carried him away.

Soon, Mark was the only one left in the spacious hallway.

His dark eyes were impossible to read.

Karina, meanwhile, didn’t spare any of them another thought.

Back in the bedroom, she pulled out her pajamas and headed for the bathroom.

But before she could step inside, Mark suddenly entered and grabbed her wrist.

With one sharp movement, he pinned her against the wall.

He towered over her, his presence overwhelming.

His eyes were ice-cold, and when he spoke, his voice was just as harsh.

“Karina Jackson, you got what you wanted.

“So tell me. What do you want this time?”