The night before my wedding, my fiancé secretly brought his eight mistresses into our bed, pretending he was just doing push-ups. When I arrived, a fight broke out right away. I was about to slap the last girl when he quickly stepped in front of her and looked at me seriously.
He said, “You can slap the others, but not her.”
I couldn’t help but sneer and ask before kicking him down the stairs, “Why not?”
Three years ago, Robert Fuentes sent me to prison with his own hands. I was sentenced to three years. On the day I was released, he came to pick me up while pushing a wheelchair with a familiar face that he had shown to me before.
Robert said, “I made a terrible mistake back then. Let’s keep our engagement going.”
The last girl looked at me with tears in her eyes.
“Amelia, you pushed me downstairs and injured my legs. Robert couldn’t stand seeing me like this, so he took care of me for three years. Don’t worry, I’ve already booked a flight. I’ll be leaving soon.”
I looked at her slightly swollen belly and let out a cold laugh.
“Whatever,” I said flatly.
The person I had spared three years ago now deserved to die.
——
Hearing my words, Gloria’s eyes filled with tears as she gently touched her belly. She whispered, “Baby, don’t blame me for bringing you on such a hard journey. It’s all my fault.”
“Look at Daddy one more time. This might be the last time we see him.”
Her voice trembled pitifully, her sobs so convincing that anyone who didn’t know her would think she was on her deathbed. But Robert was easy to fool. He wiped away Gloria’s tears tenderly before turning to me.
“Amelia, it was my fault back then. Don’t worry … I promised you a wedding, so I’ll keep that promise.”
He then glanced at Gloria, continuing, “But she’s pregnant and can’t travel far. The baby is innocent and don’t you want to be a mother too? Why don’t we let her stay here to give birth first? You can even adopt the child as your own.”
I looked at him steadily, the same way he had looked at me when he sent me to prison for her.
“It’s my duty. I have no objection.”
“Amelia, you’ve become much gentler and more understanding after those three years,” he said with a pleased smile.
After that, Robert lifted Gloria in front of me and carefully settled her into the passenger seat. It was the seat that used to be mine. I smiled too. She really should stay close. That way, I wouldn’t have to go looking for her when it was time to settle the score.
Back in the house that once belonged to Robert and me, my room had completely changed. The decor had become the French princess style I despised. From the clothes in the closet to the things on the vanity, there was no sign of me left.
A wooden crib stood by the bay window. One glance told me it was Robert’s handiwork. He had arranged everything perfectly. He never truly planned to send Gloria away.
When my eyes narrowed, Gloria trembled. Her voice shook as she spoke, “Amelia, please don’t be angry. Robert was worried about my pregnancy, so he brought me back here. I didn’t know this was your room. I’ll pack up and move to the guest room. Please don’t hit me … ”
She looked terrified. She tried to get up, but her leg cramped and she collapsed to her knees.
Robert quickly helped her up, gently comforting her.
“Gloria, don’t be so humble. I left this room for you. Amelia wasn’t here before. It was empty anyway.”
Then, he turned to me and said, “Amelia, you can see her legs are still injured. Besides, she’s now pregnant. This room gets plenty of sunlight. It’s good for her health. Why not let her stay here for a few months?”
In the past, Robert never let anyone step in front of me, no matter how many women he played around with, let alone take what was mine. This time, it was different. And that made me mad.
Robert said those women were just for fun and that he enjoyed watching me get jealous over him. He claimed it was all part of his ‘little game’. But Gloria Bello was always different. Out of the eight women, she was the only one who truly mattered to him.
Still, I said nothing and quietly walked toward the guest room.
That night, I woke from a nightmare and felt thirsty. I went to the bar for some water. But as I passed the balcony, I heard Robert talking on the phone. His voice carried a low, mocking laugh.
“I can’t really help it. Gloria got kicked down the stairs and cried so hard. It really pissed me off, so I had to help her vent her anger. After thinking about it, I decided that prison would be the best place for Amelia. That fiery temper of hers needed to be tamed.”
“Besides, if I hadn’t locked her up for three years, how could I have spoiled Gloria as much as I wanted? Now I’ve had my fun, Amelia’s out. After Gloria gives birth, I’ll send her away and finally live a good life with Amelia.”
“But Amelia’s changed a lot now. It was worth the money I spent bribing those old men inside to teach her some manners … ”
My fingers tightened around my phone until it cracked from the pressure. Before Robert found out, I had already gone back to my room. I leaned against the door with my straight back. After a long while, I lit a cigarette.
In the mirror across from me, smoke covered my bloodshot eyes. The reflection reminded me of my first year in prison. My hair was torn, my skin broken from the belt’s lashes, cigarette burns were still fresh, the sharp pain of iron rods pierced me and the metallic scent of blood that never faded.
So, all of the pain and humiliation had been planned by Robert.
While I was being tortured, he was enjoying himself with another woman. Not long after that, my phone rang. It was one of my subordinates.
“Amelia, everything’s almost ready. Should we-”
“Let them enjoy their happiness for a few more days,” I said softly.
“It’ll hurt more when everything’s gone.”
For three years, Robert had never visited me once. He had no idea that all those he had bribed, inside and outside, had died mysteriously, starting from the next year. Robert thought he had created a gentle woman. But what came out was a demon.
Late at night, I felt someone slip into my bed. The familiar smell of tobacco filled the air.
“Amelia, you’ve lost so much weight,” Robert whispered.
“I’ve wronged you these past three years. I really missed you … ”
I caught his hand and said calmly, “If you missed me, then why did you send me away and never come to see me?”
Robert sighed, lowering his gaze.
“We grew up together in the orphanage and fought our way up to this point. How could I bear to leave you? But you’re too stubborn, Amelia. That temper of yours isn’t good for you. Besides, you did hurt someone. Maybe some time inside helped you calm down.”
“I was afraid I’d soften if I saw you. Gloria’s leg was crippled because of you. She needed someone to care for her. I had to make up for your mistake … ”
“It’s all in the past now,” he said gently.
“From now on, I’ll treat you well.”
Three years of pain, no sunlight and endless abuse … yet he spoke of it as if it were nothing. His lips brushed my cheek lightly before a knock came at the door. The maid quickly informed Robert, “Mr. Fuentes, Miss Bello said her stomach hurts. Could you come check on her?”
“I’ll be right there, Amelia. I’ll come back soon.”
The tenderness in his tone disappeared instantly. He left in a hurry and didn’t return. I went to the bathroom and scrubbed every place he had touched, over and over, until my skin burned and the nausea finally faded.
The next morning, Robert asked me to dress up nicely.
“Gloria is trying to be thoughtful. To celebrate your return, she organized a special welcome party for you. So, don’t let her down, Amelia,” Robert said with a smile.
I was curious about what Gloria was planning, so I agreed to attend.
The party was grand. Besides the company’s employees, many of Robert’s business partners were present.
In the past three years, Robert had done well for himself. He had established connections with influential individuals from various industries. Many of them owed him favors. In return, they helped his company grow quickly.
But the moment I stepped into the party hall, two buckets of raw yolks were poured over me.
“What are you doing?!” Robert shouted angrily, glaring at the waiter.
Gloria quickly stepped forward, looking frightened.
“Robert, please don’t be mad. Amelia just came out of prison yesterday. I heard that raw yolks can wash away bad luck. That place isn’t clean … I had a stomachache last night, so I was afraid it might be because of that.”
“I only did this for her sake,” she continued softly.
“Even if people don’t say it out loud, they might still feel uncomfortable. Doing this can help remove bad energy. But don’t worry, I already prepared a new dress for Amelia. It’s a special gift I bought for her.”
After hearing that, Robert’s anger faded.
“Then I’ll take Amelia to change first.”
Gloria held his hand gently.
“Robert, your business partners are here today. If we don’t greet them first, they’ll think we’re being rude.”
He thought for a moment and nodded approvingly.
“Gloria, you’re so considerate.”
Then he turned to me. “Amelia, go change on your own. I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
When I arrived, I had been wearing a long-sleeved suit and trousers. But the dress Gloria prepared for me was an evening gown. It was tight, low-cut and far too revealing. The moment I stepped back into the hall wearing it, I finally understood her real intention.
As soon as everyone’s eyes landed on me, they gasped at the sight of my scarred skin.
“Oh my god, is that even a human body? That’s disgusting—I’m going to throw up.”
“She just got out of prison, right? I heard she caused trouble in there and got punished. They say she can’t even have children now. Serves her right—she was the one who pushed Miss Bello down the stairs.”
“Honestly, how could someone like that be worthy of Mr. Fuentes? Miss Bello and he are a perfect pair. Even with her leg injury, she’s much more graceful. Look at Amelia—so ugly and ruined. No man could stand that.”
Gloria’s face turned red as if she was embarrassed, but she said gently, “Please don’t say that about her. She already admitted her mistakes. Everyone deserves a second chance.”
“Besides, how can I compare to Amelia? Robert even bought her a beautiful diamond necklace. What am I compared to her…”
She really knew how to make herself look kind and lovable. One of Robert’s business partners, meeting me for the first time, looked at Gloria, then turned to me with clear disgust.
“Mr. Fuentes, did I hear that right? That hideous ex-convict is your fiancée?”
Robert and I locked eyes. For a few seconds, he said nothing. Then he looked away.
“No, we were just childhood friends.”
It was the same as announcing our breakup to everyone. The crowd immediately burst into cheers for Robert and Gloria.
“What a perfect match! Just be together then!”
The business partners nodded approvingly.
“I told you, a man like you deserves someone elegant like Miss Bello. That diamond necklace suits her perfectly.”
And with that, Robert fastened the necklace around Gloria’s neck as my heart broke even further.
“Ah, Robert, isn’t this a bad idea? That necklace was meant for Amelia,” Gloria said.
“It’s fine,” Robert replied calmly.
“They’re right. Gloria, it fits you better. I chose the wrong gift for Amelia anyway. I’ll give it to you as a reward.”
Rewarding her like that helped him save face.
One of the business partners looked at me with clear disgust.
“Why is this ugly woman still here? Mr. Fuentes, if she stays, I’m afraid I’ll lose my appetite for discussing business with you.”
Robert walked over to me and said quietly, “Amelia, please go home first. I’m sorry, but I have to close this deal today. I’ll explain everything to everyone later, alright?”
Before turning away, he hesitated, but he still continued, “From now on … it’s better if you don’t wear clothes that show your arms or neckline.”
I saw the faint look of disgust in his eyes. It was almost funny to me. Didn’t he realize that every scar on my body was his doing?
That night, I woke up to the sound of someone kicking my door. Robert burst in, furious. He dragged me out of bed.
“Just because I didn’t acknowledge you today and gave Gloria that necklace, you had to hurt her like this?!”
Before I could respond, he pulled me straight to Gloria’s room. Under the torn quilt, dozens of leeches writhed and twisted. Their sticky bodies were glistening in the dim light.
“Amelia … ”
Gloria whimpered, “I never meant to steal your necklace or your place. It was Robert’s decision, not mine. I couldn’t explain it. But how could you do something so cruel, stuffing blood-sucking leeches into my blanket?”
She touched her belly and sobbed.
“I’m pregnant with Robert’s child. Luckily, I found them in time… I’ll return the necklace to you, but please just let me go.”
I looked straight at Robert.
“I didn’t do this. If you don’t believe me, check the cameras.”
But he didn’t even hesitate to not trust me.
“There’s no need. I know your vengeful nature too well. I thought prison had changed you, but you’ve only gotten worse. You should’ve stayed there a few more years!”
He glared at me coldly as he threatened me, “No matter what, I’ll teach you a lesson tonight. You’ll never dare touch Gloria again.”
Half an hour later, Robert’s men came in, covering their noses as they carried a large barrel half their height. The tub was full of leeches, writhing in dark water.
“Dump them into the bathtub,” Robert ordered.
“Then push Amelia in.”
I looked up at him sharply as I told him, “Robert, you’ll regret this.”
“If I don’t teach you a lesson, I’ll be the one who regrets it!” he shouted.
They forced me into the tub.
Hundreds of leeches clung to my skin, wriggling wildly as they sucked my blood. Within seconds, the water turned deep red. My body went numb. After that, everything went dark.
When I opened my eyes again, I was lying on the living room’s sofa. I was being hooked up to a blood transfusion. I had almost forgotten that both Robert and I shared the same blood type.
He stood beside me for a long time before sighing, asking me, “Why are you always so stubborn? If you’d just admit your mistakes and stop fighting me, I wouldn’t have to treat you this way.”
A slap first and then a gentle pat … was this his idea of love?
I pulled the needle from my arm and staggered upstairs. Behind me, Robert’s voice rang out, full of forced calm, “Amelia, let this be a lesson. Don’t make me do it again!”
At the stairwell, I ran into Gloria carrying a bowl of porridge.
“Oh, Amelia, you’re awake,” she said sweetly.
“I made this blood-replenishing porridge for you. Drink it while it’s still warm.”
I glared at her coldly.
“You staged the whole thing yourself, didn’t you? Is this how mistresses climb their way up?”
At that, Gloria dropped her act and smirked.
“I didn’t expect you to survive,” she said softly.
“But so what? In love, the one who isn’t loved is always the mistress.”
Gloria’s eyes flicked past me.
“Don’t believe me? Well then, I’ll prove it to you.”
Before I could react, she slammed the bowl in her hand to the floor, let out a shrill scream and hurled herself down the stairs from her wheelchair. Robert, who had just rushed over, caught her neatly in his arms. He turned to me coldly.
The next instant, Robert violently grabbed me by my collar. A violent force pulled me forward. I lost my footing and tumbled down the stairs. My head hit the floor with a sharp crack. Warm blood streamed down my scalp.
Robert’s voice was cold and filled with disgust as he said, “Amelia, you really haven’t changed. Are you trying to repeat your old tricks?”
“I warned you last time. Since you refuse to take my words seriously, I guess everyone was right. You’re nothing but a violent criminal with a vicious heart. You’re unfit to be Mrs. Fuentes.”
After what just happened, I knew that I couldn’t even defend myself.
Instead, I asked him as I smiled while looking at him, “What now, Mr. Fuentes? Are you planning to send me to prison again … for your precious mistress?”
His gaze lingered on my blood-soaked face. For a moment, his expression faltered. But he then continued, “This time, I’ll let it go since Gloria wasn’t hurt. But I’ll move up my wedding with her. You owe her that much.”
After that, he told me, “As for us … After I marry Gloria, I’ll still get a marriage certificate with you as proof of our long-standing relationship. You’ll stay quietly at the estate. Gloria will handle everything else by my side.”
A laugh almost escaped me.
Robert Fuentes always knew how to have it both ways.
My mocking smile made his expression darken.
“Send Amelia to the apartment outside Mexico City immediately. No one is to let her out without my permission. Let her reflect on her mistakes before she hurts Gloria again!”
Four or five bodyguards seized me roughly and dragged me into a car. But the road stretched on far longer than it should have. When the vehicle finally stopped, I realized we weren’t at any apartment. Instead, we were at an abandoned factory.
One of the men pulled out a knife, smirking.
“Miss Bello’s orders. You’re not supposed to see tomorrow’s sunrise. Nothing personal. It’s just business.”
The pieces clicked into place. No wonder these faces were unfamiliar. They weren’t Robert’s men. They were Gloria’s!
The man chuckled and held up his phone. “But before you die, Miss Bello wanted you to see something fun. Said it’d make your death less boring.”
He shoved the screen toward me. My pupils shrank instantly. In the video, Gloria, who had supposedly been crippled, stood tall beside Robert. Her arm was linked with his as they admired a wedding dress.
“Robert, now that I don’t have to pretend to be lame, won’t that make people suspicious?”
Robert smiled.
“No. I’ll just say your leg healed. You’ll be the most beautiful bride, Gloria. Your idea was perfect. Rolling downstairs when Amelia brushed against you. I’ll have someone fake the medical report and send her in.”
Robert’s voice softened, but there was poison beneath it as he spoke, “Amelia’s gotten too bold these last few years. Sometimes I feel like she’s more of a rival than a partner. I’ve fought too hard to get here. I won’t let anyone threaten me.”
“I thought prison would break her. But she’s still the same.”
The summer air was scorching, yet I felt a coldness creep through my bones. For nearly twenty years, I’d stood beside that man. From nothing to everything. We’d been partners. Allies. Family. And now, this was how it ended.
Robert wanted to destroy me because he was afraid of me? How absurd!
I closed my eyes as the bodyguards surrounded me while showing their grins. When I opened them again, the air shifted. It was all sharp and sudden.
“They’re dead.”
Before anyone could react, a group of men in black stormed out from behind the factory pillars, striking fast and hard. In seconds, Gloria’s hired thugs were on the ground.
Amid the sounds of cracking bones and desperate screams andrea handed me a handkerchief. His face showed a cold fury.
“Amelia, I’m going to kill those two assholes right now.”
I gently wiped the blood from my cheek and said calmly, “They’ve gone to such lengths to plan their perfect wedding. How could we let it go to waste?”
“The wedding planner is one of ours, isn’t she? Tell her to convince Gloria to hold the wedding at sea, on our most luxurious cruise ship. Gloria loves showing off. So, she’ll definitely agree.”
Just as I expected, Gloria fell in love with the cruise ship at first sight and followed the planner’s suggestion. Robert had no objections either. The grander the wedding, the more prestige he would gain.
But on the wedding day, the bride was nowhere to be found. Some guests claimed they had seen her in the luxury suite prepared as the bridal room. The crowd began joking.
“Is the bride that impatient? Can’t even wait for the ceremony before heading to the bridal chamber? Looks like Mr. Fuentes really knows how to charm his women!”
“Hurry and bring the bride out! There’ll be plenty of time for that after the wedding!”
Robert forced a smile, but a flicker of unease crossed his face. Surrounded by the laughing guests, he made his way to the suite. The moment he opened the door, a blood-curdling scream echoed through the hall.
Gloria was nowhere to be seen. In the middle of the bed, covered with rose petals, was a bloody embryo. I stepped out from the crowd as I clapped my hands lightly while showing a faint smile on my lips.
“What a scene,” I said softly.
“I believe Mr. Fuentes always has something special waiting on the bed at his weddings. So now, Mr. Fuentes, why don’t you go have a closer look?”
↓ ↓ Download the NovelShort app, Search 【 579701 】reads the whole book. ↓ ↓
NovelShort
