Chapter 2

Eventually, my stomach couldn't take it anymore, and I was rushed to the hospital.

When I woke up, Serena was holding my hand, looking concerned. "Scott, please don't make things difficult for me, okay? If you stop upsetting Seth, you don't have to suffer like this."

From that day on, I stopped expecting anything from her.

When the bodyguard dragged me out of the car, all the guests were gathered at the entrance. They were clearly waiting for a show.

Serena's voice came from above me. "Go and beg for Seth's forgiveness. If he forgives you, we'll consider this matter over."

I stared at the woman I had shared a bed with for seven years, my eyes stinging with heat. It felt like someone had punched me straight in the chest.

Only when I didn't say anything did Serena finally realize I was gagged.

She ripped the rag from my mouth, then ordered the bodyguards to drag me to the entrance and force me to the ground.

The guests watching from the sidelines all looked delighted by my humiliation.

"Someone with no family or background thinks knowing a little design is enough to make him worthy of Ms. Clark?"

"Only a man like Mr. Johnson, with his family and talent, deserves someone like Ms. Clark!"

Seth soon emerged from inside, surrounded by people.

The moment he saw me, he put on a look of surprise. "Scott, what are you doing down there?"

Serena stood beside me, her voice carrying a warning. "Don't forget what I just told you."

I struggled, refusing to give in, but there was nothing I could do with the bodyguards holding me down.

Seth suddenly put a hand to his chest, looking horrified. "Serena, just let him go. I don't want him ruining this party just like he did the last time."

Serena turned to me, clearly displeased. "Scott, you're being difficult again."

Seth's good friend, Terry Slater, suddenly spoke up. "I have an idea. I can make him apologize to Seth."

"What's the idea?"

Everyone turned to Terry, curious to hear what he had in mind.

Terry slowly walked toward me, then raised his hand as everyone watched. A slap cracked loudly across my face.

Terry looked pleased with himself. He said, "Slap him 99 times. No matter how stubborn he is, he'll eventually give in!"

With that, he raised his hand again and kept going. He struck me several times across the face, the burning pain leaving me unable to speak.

Serena frowned and started toward me, but Seth caught her arm.

"Serena, as long as Scott sincerely apologizes, this celebration you planned for me can still be perfect," he said.

His bright smile gradually eased the tension in Serena's face.

"As long as you're happy," Serena said.

I watched Serena put her arms around Seth. Her eyes were filled with the same tenderness she had once shown me seven years ago when she put a ring on my finger at our wedding.

Terry kept slapping me until my cheek was badly swollen.

After a while, he finally tired himself out and rubbed his arm. "Out of 99 slaps, there are 47 left. I can't keep going anymore."

Seth looked at Serena and said, "Serena, why don't you do it? I can't bring myself to."

Serena smiled indulgently. "You're just too kind."

With that, she walked toward me, her voice icy. "Scott, if you want to be my good husband, you need to know your place and learn to behave. I hope you'll understand why I'm doing this after today."

Then she raised her hand and brought it down hard across my face.

My ears rang from the blow, and I couldn't even shed another tear.

My face was so badly swollen that even my own parents might not have recognized me.

I laughed bitterly and forced out a few words between her slaps. "Serena, I finally see it now. All the promises you made were lies!"