Chapter 4

When Lisa woke up, a full day had passed. The wounds on her back had been treated, and the pain had mostly faded.

Nick sat beside her, lazily smoking a cigarette. Through the haze of smoke, his cold voice broke the silence. “Susie’s upset. You need to make it up to her.”

Lisa stared at him, her face blank. “What exactly do you mean, Mr. Horden?”

The title made his expression darken. He crushed out his cigarette, then brushed her lips with his ash-stained fingers.

“Don’t be like that, baby. Don’t stay mad at me.” His eyes glinted with something dangerous.

Lisa’s heart gave a sharp jolt. For a moment, she remembered what Nick’s grandfather had once told her.

‘Nick only loves people who obey. If you insist on staying by his side, be prepared to act like an obedient pet for the rest of your life.’

Back then, she hadn’t understood. She’d thought his grandfather was only trying to drive them apart.

Now she finally knew what he meant. Nick’s love was obsessive, controlling, and selfish. He was the one in power, and she existed only as his reflection.

She lowered her gaze, hiding the fear in her eyes, and nodded obediently. “I understand.”

“Good girl,” Nick said, satisfied. “Prepare a solo piece. Susie wants to hear you play the violin tonight.”

He stroked her hair like she was a child, then carefully applied ointment to her back himself. His touch was cold, almost clinical, and made her skin crawl.

That night, Lisa put on a long-sleeved champagne-colored gown covered in crystals and diamond jewelry. The chauffeur drove her to the hotel where the banquet was being held.

The event took place at one of the Horden Group’s most prestigious hotels. Nearly everyone from New York’s high society was there.

Most of the women wore simple pastel dresses and light, natural makeup. In contrast, Lisa’s glamorous outfit made her stand out, and not in a good way.

As soon as she walked in, whispers spread across the room.

Disdainful.

Pitying.

Mocking.

“Trying to steal the spotlight? Once a homeless, always a homeless. She looks ridiculous.”

“She’s just desperate for attention now that Nick’s done with her.”

“She’s not half the woman Susie is. What a joke.”

Each word hit her like a blade.

She remembered another banquet years ago when someone had insulted her for being a former homeless, and Nick had responded by having the man’s mouth sewn shut. He had warned everyone that anyone who dared speak against her would disappear from the city overnight.

Now, with Nick no longer protecting her, those same people spoke freely, sneering without restraint.

The gossip finally stopped when Nick and Susie arrived.

Lisa followed the crowd’s gaze. Susie was dressed in a pale satin slip dress, her long hair tied high in a ponytail. She carried herself with confidence, her chin slightly lifted.

In that moment, Lisa understood why Nick was drawn to her. Susie reminded him of who Lisa used to be, bright, carefree, and full of life.

When she had first married into the Horden family, she had been like that too, radiant and bold, never ashamed of her past.

But Nick had told her he didn’t like women who were too loud or too free-spirited. After they married, he had molded her into someone quiet, obedient, and restrained.

Now she realized, painfully, that he had only grown tired of the version of her he had created and fallen in love with the shadow of who she used to be.

Lisa’s expression dimmed, a quiet heaviness settling in her chest. The sight of everyone fawning over Susie made her stomach twist. Without another word, she turned to leave.

“Mr. Horden, didn’t you say you had something prepared for me?” Susie’s sharp, confident voice rang out behind her. Lisa froze mid-step.

Around them, the crowd exchanged uneasy glances, watching Nick’s face closely. No one ever dared to speak to him that way. Even when Lisa had been his favorite, she had always been careful, gentle, and obedient in his presence.

But now, Nick didn’t seem the least bit bothered. Instead, a faint smile tugged at his lips as he allowed Susie’s arrogance to go unchecked.

“Yes,” he said casually. Pulling Susie into his arm, he gestured for someone to approach. A waiter came forward, carrying a violin.

Lisa turned around as the instrument was placed in her hands. Under dozens of watching eyes, she gripped it tightly. Her gaze drifted through the crowd until it landed on Nick, and something inside her went cold.

She had once loved playing the violin and dreamed of joining an orchestra. But Nick had forbidden her from performing for anyone else, claiming her music belonged to him alone.

Now, as she looked at the man who had stolen her freedom and her heart, she gave a bitter smile. So his rules only lasted until Susie came along.

Lisa took a deep breath and began to play Adagio in G minor. The soft, aching melody filled the room, each note trembling with grief. It sounded like heartbreak given form.

The song was her farewell.

From that moment on, she decided she would never love Nick Horden again.

Nick frowned slightly as he watched her. The sadness surrounding her made something inside him twist with irritation and unease.

“Enough,” Susie said suddenly, her tone impatient. She stood up, cutting off the music. “This is too depressing. You’re the one who filed for divorce, not me. Stop acting like the victim.”

Her words were sharp and calculated, disguised as careless honesty.

Lisa met her eyes briefly but didn’t respond. She lowered her gaze in silence.

Susie’s smirk faltered. Her jab had landed on air, leaving her frustrated. She turned toward Nick, her voice trembling with feigned hurt.

“Mr. Horden, did you bring her here just to humiliate me?”

The room fell silent. Everyone was waiting, holding their breath. Nick Horden was not a man who tolerated disrespect especially not in public.