Chapter 4

While I was still confused by what was happening, an exorcist rushed over with Dominic and a weakened Nina following closely behind.

The exorcist pointed to the mound behind me. "The evil entity is buried there. All we need to do is burn it in a raging fire, then whip Mrs. Stone 20 times to bring her back to her senses. Once Mrs. Stone drinks the holy water, Ms. Lowe will no longer be plagued by the evil entity!"

Dominic gestured to the people behind him. "Dig it up. I want to see what's buried there!"

"No!" I lunged forward, only for Dominic to haul me up. His hand closed around my throat, forcing me to lift my head.

"Why did you do this? You pretended not to care while shutting me and our son out. I thought you were just upset, so why did you target Nina? Not only did you poison her but also use witchcraft on her. You're so ruthless!"

I didn't bother responding to him. Instead, I pointed at the mound. "That's our baby! Our child! She's not an evil entity! Don't listen to that man… I didn't protect her in my previous life. Please let her rest in peace in this life! I'm begging you!" I slammed my head against the ground repeatedly, completely humbling myself.

Dominic was stunned, loosening his grip on me.

Nina broke into a violent coughing fit. "What child? Jemima, have you suffered a backlash from witchcraft, thinking that thing is your child?

"Dominic, I'm fine. Please save Jemima! If this goes on, she'll lose her mind!"

I shook my head vigorously. "Don't listen to her. There's no evil entity!"

Dominic sighed, massaging his temples. "What is this nonsense about past lives? Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?"

The exorcist cut in, "It's the backlash. We need to be quick."

Dominic urged, "Hurry up and dig it up!"

"No! That's your daughter! I didn't tell you I was pregnant. That's our child!"

Dominic remained unmoved.

The moment the small box was unearthed, I struggled forward. "No!"

Dominic restrained me, instructing, "Quick! Burn it!"

The guards immediately threw it into the fire. The moment the flames engulfed it, my body went limp, and I let the guards bind me to a cross.

The exorcist then brought out a thorned whip that was as thick as a thumb.

Devin tried to stop him. "Are you sure about this? What if Mother…"

"Devin, if we don't do this, Ms. Lowe will never be well again."

Hearing this, Devin fell silent.

When the first lash struck my body, I felt a numbness that was followed by a searing, fiery pain that left me dazed. When the second lash came, my consciousness began to fade. Even though I bit through my lip, I could not suppress the scream rising in my throat.

Each subsequent lash caused a crimson mist to swirl in the air. Blood slowly seeped through my clothes as the agony caused my vision to blur.

The final lash struck me squarely in the chest.

The exorcist walked over with a small bowl to collect my blood and mix it with water. Then he held it to my lips. "Mrs. Stone, please drink this, and your sins shall be cleansed."

Even though I was on the verge of passing out, I still gritted my teeth, refusing to obey him.

Seeing this, Dominic took the cup of holy water and commanded me, "Drink it. It'll clear your head. Then you won't go around cradling that thing as if it were your child. If you promise not to act up again, I'll have another child with you."

With my last ounce of strength, I spat out a mouthful of blood. "Dream… on. I want a divorce!"

Dominic smirked. "Our marriage was decreed by His Majesty. If we are to divorce, we'll need His Majesty's edict. You come from a family of merchants. Would you even be able to gain an audience with His Majesty?"

The moment he finished speaking, a number of palace guards hurried in.

The court chamberlain, Howard Sterling, glanced around, furrowing his brows. "You people sure are arrogant. The Queen Mother has arrived. Why is there no one there to receive her?"