Chapter 5

Ember was forced to kneel outside the hospital building with Nathan's personally appointed bodyguards carrying out her punishment.

The whip repeatedly landed on Ember's back without mercy, and soon, Ember was bleeding all over.

However, she couldn't even cry in pain, for her mouth was sealed with tape.

With a fake smile on his face, one of the bodyguards grabbed Ember by the hair. "Mr. Grant said that I can only stop when you cry out in pain. But since you're not making any noise, I have no choice but to continue."

A bucket of saltwater was splashed right onto her.

Searing pain erupted in her body, and she felt like her skin and flesh were being torn off.

Ember's body convulsed violently. Since her mouth was sealed, her blood had nowhere to go, and it ended up almost choking her.

As she began to lose consciousness, she could somehow make out a figure rushing toward her.

By the time she opened her eyes again, Nathan was holding her hand tightly. "You're finally awake!"

Then, he couldn't help but blame her. "I already told the bodyguards to tell you that they would stop as soon as you cried out in pain. What were you holding on for?"

Ember was unbelievably weak, and she had to summon all her strength just to breathe. But still, she stubbornly pulled her hand away.

Nathan's hand froze in mid-air.

Ember used to be extremely spoiled. She would complain to him for hours just because of a little bit of pain.

Nathan wondered, "Why is she so cold and distant now?"

The uneasiness in his heart welled up again, urging him to grab onto something. "The company anniversary celebration is in two days. I'll arrange for you to attend as well."

Nathan thought, "Ember loves it when I bring her to public events. After all, she wants everyone to know that she's Mrs. Grant. I've compromised this much, so Ember should be thrilled."

Nathan was lost in thought when Ian barged in, saying in fury, "Mommy is sick, so why does she have to go to the celebration? Isn't Bella supposed to go in Mommy's place?"

Ember suddenly understood why Ian lied.

She lowered her gaze as if she were letting go of her last shred of affection. "It's okay. I don't want to go."

Nathan froze.

At that moment, his eyes flashed with confusion, bewilderment, and the fear of losing her. "No, you must go!"

And just like that, the matter was decided.

…

Ember's physical condition was already on the verge of collapse.

No matter how much makeup was applied on her face, it could hardly hide the exhaustion on her face.

However, Nathan didn't notice any of that.

All his attention was on Bella, who was standing nearby.

Nathan's expression darkened as he watched Bella converse and raise glasses with other men.

When he saw a man intentionally putting an arm around Bella's shoulders, he was consumed by jealousy, and he subconsciously tightened his grip on Ember's hand.

Ember hissed in pain. Red marks were already appearing on her pale hand.

It was only then that Nathan came to his senses. "Are you okay?"

Even then, he never once took his gaze off Bella.

"Just go," Ember said.

Nathan froze, the unpleasant feeling welling up in his chest again.

But then, as the man's actions grew even bolder, Nathan couldn't hold it in anymore. He rushed over to Bella and shielded her from the man. "Who gave you the right to touch her?"

The man was a little drunk, and he didn't seem to have realized that he was talking to the famous CEO of Grant Group. Instead, he shouted, "What's that got to do with you? Keep an eye on your own wife!"

As he spoke, he moved to grab Bella's arm again.

Burning with rage, Nathan delivered a punch straight to the man's face. "Bella is mine! I won't allow anyone to touch her!"