Chapter 4

Vivian's POV

The next second, two bodyguards grabbed my arms and dragged me aside.

I struggled continuously, only earning even more forceful restraint from the bodyguards.

"Ethan, even if you can give her the charity foundation, so what? Don't forget that the Carter family will never accept her. They'll never accept Liam either!"

Ethan's face was dark, his eyes unfathomable.

He walked slowly toward me and gripped my chin.

"I'd almost forgotten if you hadn't mentioned it. Then let's handle it all today. Years ago I got you married into the Carter family. Today I can make them acknowledge this child."

Ethan roughly shoved me into the car and ordered bodyguards to bring Grace and her child to the old mansion before getting in himself.

Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of the Carter family mansion. The car with Grace and her child arrived at the same time.

Ethan's mother, Helen, was already waiting inside. As soon as Ethan entered the living room, he dropped to his knees.

Grace followed suit, kneeling while holding the child.

I leaned against the doorframe, waiting to watch this performance.

"I've come today to ask you to acknowledge this child as part of the Carter family."

Helen sat in the position of authority, expressionless.

"Do you know our family's rules? To protect the Carter legacy, only when the mistress's mother is dead can the illegitimate child become a Carter son."

"Without this rule, you wouldn't know how many siblings you'd have. If you want my acknowledgment, follow the rules."

Ethan remained silent for a long moment. Grace beside him spoke up first, her voice choked with tears.

"Ethan, as long as you and the child are well, I'm willing-"

Before she could finish, Ethan cut her off.

"The child is too young to be without you."

He turned to look at Helen.

"This is my first child, and he'll be my only child. I'll use proper adoption procedures to make him mine and Vivian's child."

"Even so, isn't that acceptable?"

Ethan's eyes were full of pleading.

The always proud heir to a great family, willing to abandon his dignity for a mistress. How touching.

Hearing his words, Helen looked at me with some surprise. I shook my head, signaling her not to mention the divorce.

"Since you insist, it's not impossible."

Helen's tone shifted.

"Back when you wanted to marry Vivian, you took 99 lashes. So for this illegitimate child to enter the family, you must also take 99 lashes."

Grace's voice trembled.

"Liam was just born. How could he withstand the lash? Let me take the punishment for him!"

Helen nodded in agreement.

The next second, four executioners walked in, pressed Grace onto a bench, pulled out whips soaked in salt water, and prepared to begin.

The whip cut through the air toward Grace. Just as it was about to touch her skin, Ethan stepped forward and caught it.

"Grace just gave birth. 99 lashes might kill her."

His gaze swept toward me by the door.

"Liam will ultimately be mine and Vivian's son. We'll split the 99 lashes equally."

I looked at Ethan in disbelief. This man who took 99 lashes for me three years ago was now making me take punishment for his mistress's son.

Ethan couldn't not know how heavy the Carter family's whip was. When he was dragged out that year, he was barely breathing.

Helen frowned.

"Are you sure?"

"Grace is weak. As for Vivian, she can handle it."

Only one thought filled my mind.

Run.

The moment I stepped out the door, Ethan's bodyguards forced me back.

Facing the control of several large men, I had no ability to resist. I was tied to the bench.

Before I could react, searing pain shot through my back. Before I could catch my breath, the next lash fell heavily on me again.

Under the immense pain, I'd long lost the ability to think and could only wail continuously.

"Vivian, you'll be fine. I'll get you the best doctors."

The smell of blood filled the entire living room. I'd already lost the strength to cry out and couldn't hear the executioner's count clearly.

I gradually stopped feeling the pain in my body as my consciousness began separating from my flesh.

In the last moment before losing consciousness, I seemed to see myself from four years ago when Ethan and I were passionately in love.

I was so foolish then. And by today, I'd already paid a hundred times over for that choice.