Dread

[WARNING: THIS BOOK IS EXTREMELY DARK] - "Hello there, blonde!" A voice drawled, carrying the same disturbing charm that always sent chills down her spine. Scarlet gasped and her eyes widened in absolute terror to find herself staring at the face that haunted her nightmares. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she desperately prayed this was all some twisted dream, that she had died on the operating table rather than wake up to face this monster again. His piercing gaze troubled her soul as it always did. It was after all, a constant reminder of the profound torment he'd inflicted on her that night. "Oh, you're no longer a blonde?" he mused mockingly, lifting one hand to brush the shortened strands of her hair. Scarlet flinched. The hate rolling off him filled her with a sense of immense dread that sparked an internal plea for salvation. She tried to flee but he pounced with lightning speed, effortlessly pinning her beneath him. "Virginity restoration?" He sneered down at her. "You really want to deceive your poor fiancé like this? Make him think he's getting something pure and untouched?" The words hit their marks. Scarlett's mind reeled with horrible thoughts and crushing doubt. "I bet you thought changing your hair would help you hide your shame, didn't you?" The sarcasm in his voice twisted into something darker and more menacing as his expression morphed into the same angry sneer he'd worn on that terrible day he destroyed her life. His other hand seized her chin in a bruising grip, forcing her to meet his cold stare. "Look at me!" He growled. "What's the point of getting all stitched back up if you're still going to be thinking about me every second!"

Ah! Mrs Gates, you're glowing. Your husband is taking good care of you. You keep getting more beautiful by the day.” “Of course, Mr Clinton loves his wife the most. Can't you see how in love they are? Do you think he would let her do something as stressful as working?” “That's true. I wish I were in her shoes. A perfect billionaire housewife with a doting husband who worships her. The last time he bought Star of the Sea at the auction, I immediately knew that his love for her was unlimited,” another high-class woman chimed as I passed by them. I halted in my tracks. Star of the Sea? How come I can't remember him giving it to me? Before I could process everything, another figure stepped in. A figure that I dread mentioning her name. Yeah, it was her. Louisa Carter, my husband’s childhood sweetheart. The woman whose existence threatens to tear my marriage apart. “How does it feel to be divorcing the man you love? Why didn't you tell those silly women the truth— that you're nothing to Clinton? You're just trash, not worth mentioning.” She hissed. I looked up at her the moment I heard divorce. Clinton has not told our family yet and even ordered me to keep it a secret. How did she know? “Mrs Gates? What a joke!” she continued. You're just sitting on an empty shell. His heart, his body, his wealth, his company, they all belong to me. You have nothing except the name. ******* Everyone in the city assumed Joanna was the precious wife of Clinton Gates because of how boastful he was of her. What they didn’t know was that all he did was just a public stunt until Joanna boldly threw divorce papers in his face.