Chapter 3

I covered my burning cheek, turning my head in disbelief.

Sophia rolled her wrist, the gentleness on her face peeling away. "You heard everything. Ethan already got a certificate with me, and you're still shamelessly clinging to him? How cheap can you be?"

"If you love being a mistress and getting used by men so much, go to a brothel."

"Though a freebie like you who's been played for ten years is only fit to pair up with trash from the slums."

My head buzzed, my vision filled only with the woman's sharp, mean face and constantly moving mouth.

I laughed in fury, but Sophia didn't give me a chance to fight back. She suddenly screamed, tore open the front of her dress, and threw herself backward.

"Peyton!"

A cold voice exploded behind me.

Ethan rushed over, helping Sophia up and pulling her into his arms.

She cried so hard she could barely stand, tears flowing instantly. "Ethan, I'm the mistress. I ruined your relationship with Miss Reed. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have appeared. I'm a vicious homewrecker."

As she spoke, she slapped herself hard twice across the face.

Ethan grabbed her hands, his eyes trembling.

"Who said those things to you?"

Sophia bit her lip, clutching her clothes desperately. "Please, don't ask."

But when her eyes swept over me, she shook her head in fear.

"Someone like me can't afford to offend wealthy ladies like you. Ethan, I'm not worthy of you. Let me go. I don't want to die mysteriously someday."

He frowned, his gaze turning hostile as he stared at me.

"Explain!"

I lowered my hand, revealing my swollen red cheek.

"You should ask what she said."

"Miss Reed!" Sophia shrieked, her voice sharp and piercing. "I did slap you, but only because you threatened me with my parents' lives. They're just ordinary people. If you're not satisfied, let me hit you back. I'm begging you, don't hurt them."

My eyes turned red with anger. "You're lying. It was clearly you who—"

"Enough." Ethan cut me off coldly, looking at me with disappointment. "Peyton, I've spoiled you."

"Do you think just because you have no parents, I can't touch you?"

Perhaps I'd expected it all along. Perhaps my heart had grown cold long ago.

I laughed hollowly, my eyes burning painfully. "So what do you want to do to stand up for your wife?"

He walked slowly toward me, methodically removing from my finger the ring he'd personally made for me when he earned his first fortune.

He turned to his assistant.

"Call the police. My wife's jewelry was stolen. We've caught the thief red-handed."

I forgot how to move, my mind completely blank.

Ethan's rise to success hadn't been easy. He was accustomed to ruthlessness.

I was his only weakness.

Regardless of right or wrong, he always sided with family over justice.

In River City, no one dared use dirty tricks on me.

But now, the person plunging the knife into my heart was him.

Ethan caressed the ring, his cold features becoming increasingly unfamiliar through the tears welling in my eyes.

"Peyton, you're too disobedient. Go inside and reflect for a few days."

"Don't worry, it won't be long. When you come out, I'll put the ring back on your finger myself."

I pulled my lips into a mocking smile.

As the police officers walked in and handcuffed me, I expressionlessly withdrew the hand he was holding.

The suddenly empty sensation made Ethan frown uneasily. He stared at my retreating back with the strange feeling he'd never be able to hold onto me again.

Just as he was about to step forward, Sophia grabbed his arm first.