My Abusive Husband’s Mad Obsession
For seven years, I was trapped in my marriage to Alex Thorne, confined within a gilded cage.
He remained cold, letting other women waltz right into our home, flaunting their presence and humiliating me.
He even forced me to be a silent observer.
His friends, they were all used to it. Some even tried to push their luck, to bully me right in front of him.
His cruelty, the constant emotional torment, it all became too much.
I was driven to the brink, suffered a miscarriage, and eventually, I died while pregnant.
Later, Alex Thorne found a witch.
He deliberately burned himself alive, wide awake, to trade his life for mine, to bring me back.
And I did come back. I was reborn.
But now, all I want is to never see Alex Thorne again.
1.
Alex Thorne, the man who, since childhood, had only ever been kind to me, hated my guts.
It was because on our wedding day, his first love, Brooke Miller, had been heartbroken, flown overseas, and then gotten into a car crash, dying tragically on the streets.
My grief had consumed me, plunging my consciousness into darkness.
When I finally opened my eyes again…
The colorful lights before me swayed.
It was our engagement party from all those years ago!
“Evie Reed, what kind of stunt are you pulling now?”
Alex Thorne’s impatient accusation rang in my ears.
When he looked at me, he always subconsciously frowned.
After so many beatings, my body reacted to his presence with an immediate, phantom ache, a ghost of the pain he’d inflicted.
I knew I shouldn’t be afraid.
But I couldn’t control it.
The tearing pain made me unsteady, and I nearly swayed right into him.
Seeing his impatient expression,
I instinctively stiffened, pulling myself away from him, terrified that any contact would only bring more punishment.
In my previous life, the relentless emotional abuse, his cold indifference as everyone else trampled all over me, the constant wear and tear on my spirit, and the brutal beatings whenever I dared to disobey – it all left deep, festering scars.
So, whenever Alex Thorne showed that cold expression, a chill would creep through my entire body, and I’d tremble uncontrollably.
I’d be plunged into an uncontrollable, endless fear.
The emcee was about to announce the happy news of our two families’ engagement.
I took a deep breath, quickly snatched the microphone from the emcee’s hand:
“I apologize, due to a personal issue, today’s engagement ceremony is canceled. If you wish to stay for dinner, please do. Otherwise, you may collect your gifts and leave.”
Suppressing the tremor in my voice, I bowed slightly.
“I apologize for any inconvenience. The fault for today’s events lies solely with me, and Mr. Thorne is not to blame.”
In the distance, the invited media were furiously snapping pictures, their camera flashes exploding like fireworks.
I slowly lowered my eyes, my racing heart finally settling.
Alex and I had grown up together, a match made through a business alliance.
After college, I chose to become an actress.
He, meanwhile, inherited his family’s empire.
In everyone’s eyes, we were a match made in heaven, the perfect couple.
But now, my public rejection of the marriage had shamed the Thorne family and created a massive news scandal.
Alex Thorne’s face was a stormy mess, his fists clenching so hard I could hear his knuckles crack.
“Evie Reed, you… don’t you dare regret this.”
He cursed under his breath, then turned and strode away.
His malice froze me in place. I didn’t dare, didn’t even want to look back at him.
Alex Thorne, I wish you and the first love you cherished so dearly a lifetime of happiness.
Lucky for me, I got a second chance.
I will never again be a sacrifice to secure your position.
In this life, I won’t abandon my career for you.
We will never cross paths again.
2.
After all the guests had left.
I stripped off the gown I had personally designed and drove aimlessly through the city.
My agent and parents called relentlessly, almost blowing up my phone.
I didn’t answer a single call until the battery died.
The engagement ring on my finger was a bit small, and the evening swelling made my finger ache painfully.
I struggled to pull the ring off my ring finger.
In my previous life, I only accidentally found out during my pregnancy that the engagement ring didn’t fit because its size was custom-made for Alex Thorne’s first love, Brooke Miller.
I sneered, a sarcastic twist on my lips, and casually tossed the ring out the car window.
A dull, heavy ache settled in my chest, a pain that clawed at my throat.
I pressed a hand to my chest, biting back the tumultuous emotions, but tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.
I pulled into a random parking lot.
After turning off the car, I cried until my emotions finally calmed. Then, I picked up my phone.
I sent a message to my agent.
`Ms. Jenkins, find me some work.`
In my previous life, at this very moment, I had just starred in a hit show and was in the prime of my career.
But because Alex Thorne told me he needed me to manage his household,
I gave up working.
God knows how many times in my past life I’d woken up in the dead of night, tears streaming, consumed by the crushing weight of my regrets.
It still hurts to think about it.
No wonder women online always say that losing your job means losing everything.
Now, I’m desperate to get back on screen.
3.
Ms. Jenkins sent me a script.
The message read: `This project is perfect for you, a real career-maker, but if you want the role, you’ll have to audition in person.`
I steadied myself and replied with a simple “Okay.”
The audition was in five days.
But at the audition site, I saw two familiar faces.
“Evie, you’re here to audition too?”
Brooke Miller smiled and nodded at me.
Then she tightened her grip on Alex Thorne’s arm, deliberately pressing her chest against his, a clear provocation.
I glanced at the two of them, tightly intertwined, and felt not even a ripple in my heart.
I lowered my eyes and continued to silently recite my lines.
Brooke tugged at her collar, as if there were pins inside.
Marks, a mix of blue and purple, accidentally flashed before my eyes, showing me just how wild these two had been together.
Alex Thorne instinctively snapped,
“Evie Reed, do you have any manners?
“Brooke greeted you, why didn’t you respond? Can’t you even say ‘sister-in-law’?”
I looked up at the man who always acted so arrogant and scolded me with such disdain.
In my previous life, because I was in love, I believed no one was perfect.
Alex Thorne, the heir to the Thorne empire, with his prominent family background, a little arrogance was normal, I thought.
I just put up with it.
But Alex Thorne actually thought I was truly timid and weak.
He became more and more reckless in front of me.
We weren’t even engaged. What right did he have to lecture me like this?
Sister-in-law?
What sister-in-law? My actual brother, Dan, is busy with business overseas.
And Alex Thorne’s girlfriend? What the hell does she have to do with me?
My expression must have shown too obvious a disdain.
Alex Thorne’s face turned green with anger, and he instinctively started to scold me again.
But Brooke, at that moment, whispered something soothingly to him, then smiled sweetly and linked her arm through mine.
“Evie, don’t be mad at Alex. He just has a bad mouth, he doesn’t mean anything by it.
“I apologize to you on his behalf, he didn’t… Ah!!!”
Smiling and apologizing one second, Brooke’s piercing shriek the next left me stunned.
I hadn’t even moved.
Yet Brooke sat pitifully on the ground, clutching her ankle and weeping.
Brooke’s clumsy, self-directed act…
Anyone with a shred of sense could see right through it, couldn’t they?
But apparently, Alex Thorne possessed no such sense. He was utterly blind.
He was standing right behind Brooke, watching the whole thing unfold.
“Brooke!”
He rushed forward, anxiously helping the fallen Brooke to her feet.
The next second, his hand, filled with fury, landed squarely on my face.
“Evie Reed! How can you be so vicious?
“You’ve tormented Brooke so many times, yet she’s never once blamed you, always defended you. And you? You dare to push her right in front of me? You’re the one who called off the engagement, why are you taking your anger out on her? You’re completely out of your mind!”
4.
I had never imagined I’d be slapped so mercilessly by Alex Thorne in public.
He put his full, unforgiving strength into that blow.
My cheek instantly swelled and turned crimson.
A sharp ringing filled my ears.
All sounds seemed distant and unclear.
As I stumbled, Ms. Jenkins caught me.
Tears of pain streamed down my face.
The memory of him choking me in my past life felt terrifyingly real.
I was shaking uncontrollably from fright.
After a while, I regained my composure, forced myself to stand steady, and tried to calm down.
“Alex Thorne, when have I ever tormented Brooke Miller?”
A vein pulsed on Alex Thorne’s forehead.
He was about to say something more, but Brooke, limping, quickly walked over and held him back.
“No, you’ve never tormented me, Evie. Alex is just… too worried about me.”
“I don’t hold past grudges… Evie, please don’t be angry with Alex.”
Her voice was full of feigned grievance.
I listened, utterly bewildered, even beginning to doubt if I had really bullied her.
Brooke was helped away by Alex Thorne.
Watching their backs, my rationality slowly returned.
The throbbing in my cheek stung my nerves. I instinctively raised a hand to touch it.
The pain on contact sent a jolt of urgency through me.
“Ms. Jenkins, quick, get some ice packs.”
Right now, nothing was more important than the audition.
The cold touch made my fingertips redden.
I lowered my eyes, looking at the lines I had memorized, and my thoughts drifted back to my previous life.
When we were children, Alex and I had been close.
We grew up together, he always put me first, treated me like a princess.
At our high school graduation, some guy, drunk, made a few inappropriate jokes about me.
When Alex Thorne heard it, his face instantly changed.
In front of a crowd of people, he nearly beat that guy to a pulp.
He told me then,
“Evie, as long as I’m here, no one will dare to bully you.”
After that, everyone knew I was his untouchable.
But later…
It was also him who felt I had cost him his true love, and so, in retaliation, he dragged my dignity into the public eye, shattered it, and trampled it underfoot.
Thankfully, in this life, I’m not his fiancée.
I haven’t stood in the way of his love.
Just a little more time, and I’ll be able to completely cut ties with him.
5.
After all, the engagement was made with the consent of both sets of parents.
Even if it was to be broken, the elders of both families needed a formal discussion.
This directly led to Alex Thorne and me having to meet again.
At the Thorne estate.
I silently held a glass of plain water.
Across from me sat Alex Thorne, his face composed but his eyes betraying a deep annoyance.
Seeing that man’s face, my cheek seemed to throb again.
At once, I felt nothing but irritation.
“Evie Reed making such a scene at the engagement party,”
Mrs. Thorne’s sarcastic words dripped from her lips,
“It seems she thinks our Thorne family isn’t good enough for the Reed family.”
Mrs. Thorne’s unsettling gaze slanted at me, silently exerting pressure.
In my previous life, after I married Alex, this mother-in-law constantly found fault with me.
She actively poisoned Alex’s mind against me day in and day out.
Alex Thorne’s intense dislike for me was, in no small part, a result of her manipulation.
I had absolutely no fondness for Mrs. Thorne.
Unfortunately, this was a discussion between elders, and it wouldn’t be smart for me to jump in.
My parents were elderly. In my previous life, they both passed away shortly after I married.
I… didn’t want to cause them any more distress.
So, no matter how much injustice I faced today, I would swallow it all.
My phone screen lit up. I instinctively tapped on Ms. Jenkins’ flashing chat bubble.
`Evie, you passed the audition!`
`You’ll be on set in less than two months – hurry up and prepare, familiarize yourself with the script the director sent you!`
The smooth progress of my career finally eased my troubled mood.
I lowered my eyes, trying my best to suppress the slight upturn of my lips.
I didn’t notice that Alex Thorne, sitting across from me, had been watching me intently.
My expression made his eyes darken.
His long fingers toyed with the wedding ring he hadn’t yet taken off.
He seemed lost in thought, pondering something.
6.
The conversation, rather than discussing the annulment of the engagement, was more about the strategic alliance between the two families.
After it concluded, my parents offered a few words of comfort before rushing back to their company.
I let out a small sigh of relief, watched them leave, and then headed towards my car.
Before I could open the car door, Alex Thorne’s tall figure blocked my path.
“Evie Reed, breaking off our engagement isn’t a good decision for you.”
His long eyelashes lowered, casting shadows on his cheeks.
“Our two companies have deep ties. If we marry, it would be beneficial for everyone involved.”
“If you’re willing to apologize in person, I’m willing to reluctantly marry you…”
Reluctantly?
I looked up at his self-righteous face.
Alex Thorne’s face was undeniably handsome.
But now, in my eyes, that face had lost all its previous appeal.
His proposition was truly…
So shameless it made you want to sigh with exasperation.
I didn’t immediately expose his true intentions. Instead, I feigned hesitation, pondering his words.
After a moment, I slowly opened my mouth.
“What about Brooke Miller, then?”
He chuckled softly.
As if he’d heard something unbelievable.
“You’ll quit acting after we get married. I won’t let you see her.”
“Besides, with our family’s wealth, marriage is just a formality. You don’t actually think I’ll be like other men, dedicated to just you for life, do you?”
“Wake up, Evie Reed.”
His matter-of-fact attitude made it seem as if I were a foolish, ignorant woman, incapable of living without depending on him.
“Is that so?”
I chuckled lightly, meeting his gaze head-on, and said, word for word,
“It’s you who needs to wake up, Alex Thorne.”
“Marrying me, you’re clearly the one benefiting more, aren’t you? Don’t forget, while the Thorne family only has one child on the surface, behind the scenes…”
I watched his face turn green at my words.
I curled my lips into a sneer, rolling my eyes dismissively.
Ultimately, the Reed and Thorne families had been equally powerful for years, but who was truly stronger was anyone’s guess.
I only learned after marrying him in my past life that despite his deep love for Brooke Miller and his intense dislike for me, he still married me.
Only a wife with a sufficiently prominent family background could solidify his position as the head of the Thorne family.
These past few days,
His cunning, manipulative mother probably hadn’t given him a moment’s peace.
That was probably what drove him to pull me aside and try to win me over.
“Evie Reed, don’t you dare be ungrateful!” Alex Thorne’s ears turned bright red.
I wasn’t sure if it was from anger or if he still possessed some shred of shame.
Seeing him clench his fist again, about to strike me once more,
But before he could even register my defiance, I swiftly lifted my hand and delivered a stinging slap across his face.
“Alex Thorne, consider that my return gift for the slap you gave me.”
7.
I fixed him with a cold stare, rubbing my slightly aching wrist, glaring at him out of the corner of my eye.
Years ago, when I first started acting, I underwent specialized combat training to perfect my fight scenes.
I guaranteed that slap would be painful and leave a nasty bruise.
Seeing Alex Thorne’s stunned expression, I scoffed, no longer bothering to spare him another glance.
Who knew, the next second, he suddenly grabbed my neck, shoving me forcefully against the car door.
“I gave you an inch, and you took a mile, didn’t you?”
Alex Thorne’s sinister gaze swept over me from head to toe.
The terror of being beaten in my past life rushed back.
I gritted my teeth, refusing to show fear in front of this scumbag.
“Alex Thorne!”
An enraged roar echoed from the distance.
The grip on my neck loosened.
I saw my older brother, Daniel Reed, dart in front of us, landing a forceful punch on Alex Thorne’s jaw.
Alex Thorne was forced to release his hand from my throat.
“Dan…”
I clutched my throat, gently pulling back his arm, which was still poised to strike again.
My brother, consumed by rage, almost broke free.
“Evie, don’t stop me! I’m going to kill this bastard!”
My throat was terribly swollen, and even speaking caused intense pain.
I was about to force out words, risking my voice, to persuade my brother to stop, when
A man with a face five parts similar to Alex Thorne’s grabbed my brother’s raised fist.
He said,
“Don’t be impulsive. We’re outside. It won’t look good for you or Ms. Reed if this is filmed.”
My brother, though hot-headed, was usually amenable to reason.
He released Alex Thorne, whose lip was now split, and grumbled, affectionately ruffling my hair.
“Didn’t I tell you? If someone bullies you, call your brother! If I hadn’t come to get you, he would have killed you!”
My eyes welled up.
In my past life, after marrying Alex Thorne, I was cut off from the outside world.
Not just my agent, but my brother and parents too, were forbidden from meeting me or even calling.
My parents died, and I was confined to the house, unable to see them one last time.
Until my own death, I hadn’t seen my only remaining relative, my brother, either.
My brother pulled my hand.
“Come on, let’s go home. I brought you a gift!”
As he opened the car door.
Alex Thorne struggled to his feet from the ground, shouting loudly,
“Evie Reed! I’m giving you one last chance. As long as you’re obedient, I won’t hold it against your brother for hitting me. I advise you to know your place, otherwise, don’t blame me if…”
His words caught in his throat.
His gaze fell on the man whose face was similar to his own, and he couldn’t utter another word.
I calmly got into the car. Before closing the door, I said coldly, without a trace of emotion,
“Alex Thorne, I’m giving you one last warning too. Stop bothering me, or else, you’ll be the one to regret it.”
With that, I slammed the car door shut.
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