I never went easy on my billionaire husband’s lovers.
One woman was cheating with him in his car, so I drove my own car and broke her leg.
Another woman had dinner with him, so I made her chug an entire bottle of chili sauce.
And anyone who dared to send me bedroom photos? I made sure every media outlet in the city ran that photo on a loop for twenty-four hours.
This time, Baron Thorne was infatuated with a hotel intern.
She looked like a startled little bunny, hiding behind him in a white dress.
Baron said, right in front of her and me,
She gave me her first time. Im going to give her the most spectacular wedding.
My hand was in my pocket, clutching that cancer diagnosis report so tightly I nearly crushed it.
I looked at him, then at the girl, and finally, I simply nodded.
This time, I said calmly,
Fine. Marry her.
Baron looked at me, the smile in his eyes instantly twisting into suspicion.
What game are you playing now?
He took a step forward, lowering his voice.
Im warning you, Emily Davis is timid. If you dare lay a hand on her, Ill immediately cut off Lilys medical expenses.
For years, wed been at each others throats, but hed never threatened my family.
That was our unspoken boundary.
My body stiffened.
Now, for Emily, he had personally torn that line apart.
It felt like a blunt object had slammed hard into my chest, a dull, aching pain.
I lowered my head, forcing a slight smile.
Do whatever you want.
Im tired lately. I just want some peace and quiet.
Back in the day, Baron and I were known as the craziest couple in the citys elite circles.
He constantly sought out all kinds of lovers.
And I constantly fought with every single one of them.
I never gave up, perhaps clinging to a ridiculous hope that one day hed get tired, get bored, and maybe hed come back to me.
But the diagnosis report in my pocket reminded me that, in the end, I was the one who was defeated first.
I had to go to the hospital, to start a long and unwinnable battle for my life.
Five years of marriage, and all we had left were fights, tearing each other apart, and countless scandalous headlines. Nothing else.
He hadnt even noticed how much I had wasted away.
I returned to the hillside mansion where I lived alone. The cold wind swept in, and I shivered involuntarily.
Only after turning on the heating did I start to feel my body warm up.
In the mirror, my hair was already thinning, and I looked like a thin sheet of paper.
I remembered earlier, when Baron put his arm around Emily and left, he glanced back at me.
Stop trying to lose weight. Youre so skinny, even if you stripped naked and lay in front of me, I wouldnt react.
Night fell.
I sat alone on the sofa, memories of these past years rushing over me like a tide.
Four years ago, I broke the leg of his first mistress.
He cradled the girl, his eyes ice-cold.
Rose, you married me. Youll be nothing but a permanent fixture in the background of my life. Do you think this will make me look at you more?
No. Itll just make me sick of you.
I even tried cooking for him. My hands were covered in blisters from learning to make soup, only for his mistress to spill the entire bowl onto my feet.
He stood by, laughing, praising her for doing it beautifully.
I once changed into sexy lingerie, but he just glanced at me, mocking.
If you dont have the assets, dont bother trying. Put some clothes on, youll catch a cold.
He paused, then added,
If youre really that desperate, buy a toy.
I threw away all those gentle dresses and kitchen utensils.
Between Baron and me, all that was left was a string pulled tighter and tighter, and one mutual destruction after another.
The doorbell rang.
I opened the door. Emily stood outside, wringing her hands.
I frowned. Something wrong?
Her face flushed crimson, her voice barely a whisper.
Mr. Thorne Mr. Thorne said theres a box of unopened con-condoms here and he told me to come get them.
I laughed out loud.
Is this his way of reminding me not to touch whats his?
I looked at her.
Dont worry. Ill definitely bless your wedding. The grander, the better.
She bit her lip, then suddenly looked up.
Mrs. Thorne Mr. Thorne has been having severe stomach pains lately. Cant you stop antagonizing him?
I stared at her quietly, suddenly finding it absurd.
Emily, I said slowly.
I remember Baron can drink anyone under the table. You know best how you ended up in his room that night.
Ill say it again, do whatever you want. Im tired.
Stop putting on a show for me.
Closing the door, I called my best friend.
Stella,
My voice was calm.
Help me draft a divorce agreement. And contact a good oncology hospital, fast.
The next day, I went to the hospital Stella arranged.
Dr. Alex Carter, the attending physician, was her friend. He carefully reviewed my reports, his brows furrowed.
Why did you drag this on for so long? Have you been in a bad mood these past few years?
My phone suddenly vibrated wildly. It was Baron.
I took a deep breath and answered.
His furious voice almost burst my eardrum.
Rose, where are you? Get your butt to the company right now!
I hung up directly, letting the phone continue to vibrate in my bag.
As I left the hospital, Dr. Carters words still echoed in my ears.
The situation is very dangerous. You must be hospitalized immediately. Right now theres only a three percent chance.
The sunlight was blinding. I raised a hand to shield my eyes, but my eyes still stung with unshed tears.
Suddenly, a hand harshly gripped my arm.
Rose!
I looked up and saw Barons ashen face. Emily stood beside him, her eyes red, as if shed just been crying.
I pulled my hand away. What do you want?
Baron stared at me, his gaze fixed.
What are you doing at the hospital?
Emily suddenly sobbed.
Mr. Thorne Rose cursed me out on the phone earlier. She called me trash, a gold-digging slut
She glanced at me timidly.
Is she is she deliberately hiding at the hospital to play the victim card, so you wont confront her?
I frowned deeply.
Emily, what nonsense are you talking about?
Only then did I notice the distinct, frighteningly red and swollen slap mark on Emilys face.
Barons voice was as cold as ice.
Apologize to Emily.
I stood my ground.
I didnt say those things.
He picked up his phone and gave an order to someone on the other end.
Cancel the medical team we arranged before.
My breath caught in my throat. That was Lilys hope for survival.
My fingernails dug deep into my palms.
I looked at Emily, my voice dry.
Im sorry.
Emilys tears fell even harder.
Im not trash My family may be poor, but I have dignity. If theres no place for me here, I can leave
Barons eyes suddenly darkened.
Thats not enough. He turned to me, enunciating each word.
Rose, get on your knees and apologize.
My blood rushed to my head, my fists clenched tight.
Emily gently pulled his sleeve.
Dont She sees me as trash, I cant bear that.
Barons gaze was fixed on my face as he slowly spoke.
The medical team
I suddenly remembered what Baron had said to me right after we got married.
His tone back then was flat, like he was discussing a business deal.
Rose, you are the wife my parents picked. I dont like being dictated to, but I will take responsibility for your only family member. Thats the only promise I can give you.
But now, that promise had become the sharpest knife in his hand, stabbing directly at me.
Emilys sobs grew more fragmented, as if she might faint at any moment.
Barons eyes darkened, and he suddenly raised his foot, kicking my shinbone hard.
Already weak, that kick completely threw me off balance. I fell heavily to the ground, my face scraping against the rough concrete.
My nose stung, and warm blood gushed out.
Emily gasped.
Oh my god! Shes bleeding!
Barons mocking voice came from above.
What could possibly happen to her? She used to break my fingers when we fought.
He looked down at me. Alright, Rose, stop pretending.
With that, he put his arm around Emily and walked away.
I lay on the ground, blood and tears mixing together.
Using all my strength, I pushed myself up. My phone suddenly rang.
I painstakingly answered it.
Rose! Somethings happened!
The voice on the other end was on the verge of collapse.
The oxygen tube was unplugged! Lily shes stopped breathing!
The world instantly fell silent.
When I rushed to the hospital, Stellas eyes were already swollen from crying.
I just came to see her The oxygen tube was on the floor She was already gone.
I slumped onto the bench in the hallway, my nails digging hard into my chest.
It was me! It was all my fault!
If it wasnt for me, if I hadnt insisted on fighting Baron
My entire body trembled uncontrollably.
Baron, why did you do this?
Initially, when he knew Lily was seriously ill, even though he didnt love me, he used his connections to find a top medical team.
Lily needed a rare medication, and he made countless overseas calls, arranging for it to be air-shipped overnight.
But later, the women by his side changed one after another. And I refused to back down, fighting him to the very end.
But now
I chose a quiet cemetery for Lily.
Im useless, its all my fault,
I caressed the cold tombstone.
Wait for me, Lily. Ill be with you soon.
Suddenly, a low thunderclap echoed in the sky, and rain poured down.
Rainwater lashed down on my face, making it impossible to distinguish between rain and tears.
A faint sound came from behind me.
I wiped my face and turned around.
Emily stood not far away, her white dress soaked with rain.
On that always timid face, there was now a hint of a triumphant smile.
I stumbled forward, using all my strength to slap her across the face.
But she just smiled wider, even raising a hand to touch her swollen cheek.
Rose,
Her voice was exceptionally clear in the rain.
You, right now, look like a homeless stray dog.
I stared at her, hatred almost overflowing.
What else do you want? Ill give you Baron, Ill divorce him right away, is that enough?
She chuckled softly.
I want more than just that. Mrs. Thornes position, all of Barons love, I want it all.
I suddenly found it incredibly absurd.
Emily, youre too naive. Ive seen too many girls like you over the years. When he gets tired of you, your fate wont be any better than mine.
Shut up!
Her face instantly changed, and she shrieked, pointing at me.
Just you wait!
She turned and hurried away, her white dress disappearing into the rain.
I sat by Lilys grave until dusk.
In the evening, I returned to the mansion, quickly packed a few clothes, and prepared to go to the hospital. Just as I was about to leave, the front door was violently flung open.
Baron stood in the doorway, his face terrifyingly grim.
Rose.
He practically spat my name through clenched teeth.
You have some nerve.
He walked closer, step by step, his eyes swirling with rage.
You actually dared to have someone break Emilys leg!
I froze in place.
What?
Still pretending! He sneered.
Emily said she only saw you today. Then her leg was broken.
He opened his phone, and Emilys weak, pitiful voice came through.
Mr. Thorne Dont blame Rose She just loves you too much, thats why she hates me and wants to ruin me
I shouted into the phone.
Emily! Why are you lying?!
Her sobs grew even more heart-wrenching and broken.
Baron cut the call, his eyes icy.
Emily is soft-hearted and told me not to pursue it.
He paused, his voice growing deeper. But theres no way Im letting you off.
Just be a proper Mrs. Thorne, and stop your little schemes. Maybe then theres still room for discussion.
I looked at him quietly, remembering Lilys lifeless face. Everything suddenly felt as absurd as a nightmare I couldnt wake from.
All these years, fighting with him, battling those women, it was all actually because I loved him.
Loved him from the moment I first saw him. I had desperately tried to do everything right, but he never even noticed.
It wasn’t until I started to resist, until I fought with his lovers, tearing each other apart, that he would finally look at me properly, finally get angry at me.
I thought, fine, at least he sees me.
But now, that last shred of obsession, with Lilys death, had completely extinguished.
Baron brutally dragged me to the road outside the mansion.
The next second, a car sped straight towards me!
Bang!
Excruciating pain erupted from my knee. I clearly heard the sound of bones shattering.
My vision went black, and I lost consciousness.
↓ ↓ Download the Novel Master app, Search 【 315457 】reads the whole book. ↓ ↓
NovelShort
