Chapter 3

His vicious curse made me catch my breath, my lips trembling as I spoke shakily.

"I won't tell Grandma."

Alexander forced me to admit it, then let go of me with satisfaction.

"That's a good girl!"

With that, he stepped back and left with Olivia to eat out.

I looked at the table full of food I had prepared, feeling like a clown.

Alexander never intended to eat the meal I cooked.

It was just to mock me.

He once told me, "A substitute is just a substitute. Sophia, you'll never be worth even Olivia's little finger."

In the end, I threw all the food I had made into the garbage.

Since I was already dead, I couldn't eat anything anyway.

Even drinking water made me vomit.

Gradually, I felt my whole body growing weaker.

In the evening, I received a call from Alexander's grandmother.

On the phone, Grandma Rose sounded reproachful.

"My dear, I haven't seen you in so long. Why haven't you come to visit me?"

Last night, when those beasts were taking turns assaulting me, I didn't shed a single tear.

When I saw my own dismembered body dumped in the wilderness, I wasn't afraid.

But now, Grandma Rose's words of concern brought tears streaming down my face.

"Grandma..." I choked up, "I might not be able to come back for a while. My school has an assignment abroad, so I've been busy lately. When I have time, I'll definitely... come see you!"

Perhaps my tone sounded too pitiful, because Grandma Rose sensed something was wrong. "Is Alexander bullying you?"

Remembering Alexander's menacing look when he warned me this morning, I quickly denied it.

"No, no, I've just been too busy lately."

I chatted briefly with Grandma Rose before hanging up.

Late that night, Alexander hurried back home.

He took Olivia and went straight to the bedroom.

As I passed by their door, I heard passionate sounds coming from inside. I couldn't help but pause.

Through the half-open door, I saw two entwined bodies.

Olivia was straddling Alexander, her head turned to look at me with blatant triumph in her eyes.

I quietly closed the door for them.

In the dead of night, violent knocking on my door startled me awake.

As soon as I opened the door, I smelled alcohol. Alexander's eyes were bloodshot.

"You..." He pushed me roughly onto the bed. "You still went and tattled, didn't you?"

I shook my head, but it was too late. Alexander flipped me over.

"Turn your head away, I don't want to see your face!"

I buried my face in the pillow.

The pain of Alexander's forceful entry made me dizzy several times.

"Isn't this what you wanted me to do to you?" Alexander's tone held no warmth, only cruelty. "But you don't deserve it!"

He tormented me all night before finally seeming satisfied.

He looked at me and said, "After all these years, you're still like a dead fish. How could anyone be interested!"

"Compared to Olivia, you're not even close!"

I lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling as the room spun around me.

Blood rushed to my head and tears that I could no longer hold back spilled from my eyes.

But when Alexander saw me, he only thought I was pretending.

Only six days left now.

I had hoped to use these six days to say a final, dignified goodbye to Alexander.

But now, it seemed there was no need for that anymore.

"Alexander... let's get divorced!"