Scalded by My Husband's Lies

I was focused on studying a nutritional recipe when a sudden knock at the door startled me.It was probably the grocery delivery I had ordered half an hour ago."Just leave it by the door," I called out, opening the door and turning back inside without a second thought.The door slammed shut behind me."Are you Irene Vingate?" A woman's voice, filled with fury, erupted behind me.Confused, I turned around to see a woman dressed in a delivery uniform, her eyes blazing with hatred."Who are you?" I asked, realizing she had nothing in her hands and was not the delivery driver I had expected.As I noticed the closed door, a wave of fear washed over me.I spun around and rushed toward the kitchen, intending to grab my phone and call my husband, Harrison Maddox, for help.Before I could reach it, a strong hand yanked my hair, sending pain shooting across my scalp as I was thrown to the floor. She climbed on top of me and slapped my face so hard that stars burst in my vision."You s

Harrison was not supposed to be like this. We were not supposed to end up like this.He was the son of our family's nanny, and we had grown up together on the same estate.Back then, with no friends of my own, I would follow Harrison, who was two years older, calling him "Bro".He was always kind to me, never raising his voice or bullying me."Irene is my little princess. I'll always protect her," he would say softly.Everything changed when I was in middle school…The housekeeper told me that Harrison's mother had tried to seduce my father, and my parents had terminated her employment.I ran out, crying, and clung to Harrison, who stood in the rain, drenched and looking defeated."Harry isn't a bad person! You can't send him away!" I wailed.Seeing my parents hesitate, Harrison stepped forward and knelt at the gate. "Mr. and Mrs. Vingate, please, let me stay and watch over Irene as she grows up. Just give me a chance, will you?"He swore to sever ties with his mother and pro

On the third day, my parents sensed that something was wrong.After contacting the manager of the overseas branch, they uncovered Harrison's plan and staged their own deaths to escape.But despite their efforts, when they returned to the country, they were too late.The first thing they saw was me—brought to our private estate by Cole, tortured beyond recognition and barely clinging to life.My mother fainted on the spot. My father, seething with rage, immediately ordered Cole to seize control of the Shelltower Group.Cole, however, calmed my father's fury. Harrison had covered his tracks well, leaving no evidence behind. Taking action without solid proof would be futile and unable to bring justice for me.Under domestic law, even if it were confirmed that my injuries weren't accidental, it would simply be classified as domestic violence—an offense that, at worst, could be settled through mediation. It was not a capital crime.But for what Harrison had done to me, he had to suff

I exposed Harrison's façade without hesitation.To my surprise, though, he had better control over his emotions than I had expected."Irene!" he shouted, eyes glistening with tears as he ran to me and wrapped me tightly in an embrace, right in front of everyone."If you want to live, you'd better play along," he whispered threateningly in my ear, his voice low enough that only the two of us could hear.It was then that I felt something cold pressing against me—a gun.The scene unfolded with him overjoyed at our reunion, while I was once again a captive.As we left, cameras flashing and guests watching, I twisted my ankle.Harrison muttered an insult under his breath, but his face remained concerned and caring.Seizing his momentary distraction, I rushed toward Cole, who was already scouting for a good vantage point to shoot from.If Cole fired, it would trigger an investigation. He had saved my family, and I couldn’t let him be dragged down.A gunshot echoed.Cole lunged tow