Chapter 4

Josette immediately threw herself into Marlow's arms inside the VIP lounge. She eyed him seductively before kissing him on the lips.

"Marlow, I've missed you so much. Please just let me kiss you for a bit."

Marlow wrapped an arm around her waist and palmed the back of her head with his other hand. He responded to Josette's advances passionately, and soon, things started to get hot and heavy.

After some time passed, she shoved Marlow away with her face still flushed red before panting. "Alright, you should go back and join Ameera."

"You sure you had enough already?" His eyes were red with lust while he continued to caress Josette's lips with his fingertips.

Josette lowered her eyes. "Of course not, but I don't want Ameera to be upset. She refused to answer your calls because of me! I can wait for you. Come back to me after you're done spending time with her."

"You're so considerate that it hurts me. I can't bear to leave you. Alright, be good and listen to me. Don't think about anyone else, and just focus on being pleasured by your husband." Marlow proceeded to kiss her lips before moving down to her neck, then her chest.

A moan of pleasure escaped Josette's lips. She dug her nails into Marlow's back and whimpered, "You can't kiss me there. I won't be able to resist."

"You little vixen, you love it when I do this to you, don't you?"

Soon, they lost themselves in desire. Ameera felt crushed when she saw what was happening.

She had to bite the back of her hand hard to stop herself from crying. She was too foolish to think that the heartache would fade away eventually, but witnessing them in person destroyed her all over again.

Marlow had betrayed her both physically and mentally.

She felt a burning sensation in the pit of her stomach and soon grew nauseous. At one point, she had to put a hand over her mouth and run to the bathroom, where she threw up violently. Her lower stomach throbbed in pain.

Tears blurred her vision as she massaged her stomach.

'My baby, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry you had to see such a terrible side of your father. Please forgive me for not letting you be born into this world.'

Her face was drained of color by the time she walked out of the bathroom with her feet floating beneath her. It was very rowdy on the deck, but Marlow and Josette were nowhere to be seen.

After the fireworks show ended, Marlow and Josette finally returned together.

Josette looked like she was glowing with satisfaction. She intentionally sat next to Ameera and presented a velvet box to her with a smile. "Ameera, I made you something. I want to thank you and Marlow for taking care of me for the last five years. I wasn't the one who saved you back there. You were the one who saved me. I want to wish you a long and happy marriage."

The box contained a strikingly green bracelet.

Ameera stared at her blankly before forcing a smile. "It's fine. You can keep it. It's not my style."

Josette's hand trembled, and it looked like she was going to cry. She instinctively glanced at Marlow.

Marlow seemed not to notice the look Josette cast at him. His gentle gaze was fixed on Ameera as if she were the only person in the world as he spoke, "She doesn't like it. It's fine. You can keep it."

Josette put away the gift and sulked. "Could I offer you a toast at least? I want to wish you happiness."

This time, Ameera did not refuse. She reached for her glass and took a sip.

A smile returned to Josette's face after that. As she walked away, a vicious glower flashed across her eyes. She intentionally tripped over a chair and tumbled to the ground with a shriek before palming her hands over her stomach.

"Ow!"

Everyone was startled by the commotion. The ones who were closest rushed to help her up and were taken aback when they noticed her skirt was stained scarlet red.

She immediately turned to look at Marlow. Ameera glanced at him at the same time as well.

Marlow's expression remained composed. When he noticed the way Ameera was looking at him, he smiled gently and took her hand before casually instructing the others, "Please take her to the hospital. I want to stay with my wife until the end of the show."

With that, a group of people escorted Josette off the boat.

Meanwhile, Marlow held Ameera's hand the entire time as they listened to the band play.

If Ameera were oblivious about his involvement with Josette, she would have been deceived by his acting. She felt her blood run cold. The pain in her lower stomach intensified.

Just as she was about to suggest going home, Marlow's phone rang.

"Mr. Brunsfield, you left in such a hurry this morning, so we haven't had time to finalize the contract yet. Are you able to come to the office?" His assistant's anxious voice came through the speaker.

Marlow frowned and remained silent for a few seconds before hanging up. Then, he turned to Ameera with a flicker of guilt hanging in his eyes. "Honey, I need to go to the office. Do you mind waiting here for a bit? I'll have the driver take you home, alright?"

Ameera sneered to herself before assuring him, "It's fine, go on."

Marlow got up and tried to kiss her forehead, but she pretended to have a coughing fit so she could avoid his approach.

Marlow left after that without a second thought.

Ameera knew he was only making an excuse to go to the hospital. Strangely, the pain in her chest wasn’t as sharp anymore.

She waited for half an hour, but the driver was nowhere to be seen.

Then, she felt another sharp pain in her stomach that made her hunch over. As she stared at the shards of broken glass on the floor, a terrible thought crossed her mind.

Josette had poisoned her drink.

Ameera mustered every ounce of strength she could to get up and collect the shards that still held traces of her drink.

The pain in her stomach began to intensify and spread across her stomach. She felt as if a violent force was tearing at her from inside. Everything was pulsing with heat.

Her first thought was to call Marlow, but he didn't answer. She could not get in touch with the driver either.

With that, she used the last of her strength to dial emergency services.