When I came to, a sharp pain ran through my back.
Perhaps attracted by the metallic smell of my blood, a dog was biting my back.
At that moment, Sarah, who sat in the passenger seat of the Rolls–Royce, waved the dog over.
“Come on, baby. Time to go home now!
“Samson bought you canned food that’s worth seven figures a box. You shouldn’t ruin your stomach with this cheap meat.”
Samson gave me a cold once–over.
My body stiffened under his glare. I scrambled to get up, not wanting him to see me in such a pitiful state.
But in the next second, he rolled up the window and drove away.
A bitter, self–mocking smile tugged at my lips. I rubbed my painfully empty stomach, and went looking for a new job.
But at every shop I went to, I was chased away before I could step inside.
“Mr. Lynton has given clear instructions that no one in this city is allowed to take you in. Don’t make things hard for us.”
With trembling hands, I popped the last painkiller into my mouth.
I decided to pick up bottles to cash them in for ten cents a piece so I could buy a sandwich.
As I rummaged through the trash, I found myself in front of a dress shop.
Familiar voices reached my ears. I looked up and saw Samson and Sarah.
Sarah twirled before Samson in a diamond–studded wedding gown. Watching her blissful expression, a pang of bitter- ness twisted in my chest.
Back then, Samson used to tell me about his dream wedding. I even sought treatment, clinging to the hope of marry- ing him.
But in the end, that bride wasn’t me.”
“Beautiful.” Samson placed the crown on her head and kissed her forehead. “My beloved princess.”
I clenched my bloodstained shirt and smiled. A wave of relief washed over me.
Even if I were gone, he’d be fine with such a good partner by his side.
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Chapter 4
My eyes burned as tears blurred my vision and spilled over.
I mused to myself, “Samson, I had always hoped you would fall in love with someone else.
“But could you at least not love her more than you loved me?”
I took a deep breath, pushed down the turmoil in my chest, and turned to leave.
Then suddenly, an angry shout rang out from behind me.
“Stop!”
Sarah stormed toward me and kicked aside the bottles I’d painstakingly collected.
“Why can’t you just leave us alone? You even follow us when I’m trying on wedding dresses!
“Don’t forget. You’re the one who broke up with him for money!”
Those bottles were my meal for the day. I crouched to pick them up, when her scream split the air.
“These filthy bottles dirtied my heels!
“This was a gift from Samson. It’s worth at least eight million dollars! You think you could ever cover that?”
She glared at me with utter disdain and disgust.
288 Vouchers.
“Your clothes look like you found them in a dumpster. They’re filthy and reek. Even if someone sold you, you could- n’t cover the cost of those rags.”
She took a spiked whip from her bodyguard.
“I won’t make it hard for you. One hit is 200 grand. Fifty lashes and you’re off the hook.”
At that moment, Samson walked over and pulled Sarah into his arms.
“Let the bodyguards handle it.
“Our wedding is tomorrow. You shouldn’t tire yourself out now.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the whip snapped across my face.
Blood spattered, and I sank to the ground, clutching my face, my lips aching and ghostly pale.
There was a flicker of pity in Samson’s eyes. He was about to speak when Sarah interrupted him.
“Good. Make sure she can’t go around seducing other rich heirs.”
Recalling how I’d abandoned him, Samson’s expression darkened. He remained silent.
The whip cracked over me again and again. I writhed in agony, then finally crumpled to the ground, utterly motion-
less.
Flies and mosquitoes buzzed over me, but my eyes stayed shut.
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Chapter 4
Seeing my lifeless state, panic began to well up in Samson. He nudged my back with his shoe.
He was agitated. “Stacy, stop playing dead! I’m not going to spare you even-”
Suddenly, my phone rang.
He answered it and heard my attending doctor on the line.
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“Ms. Moore, given that your stomach cancer is in its advanced stages, we still recommend returning to the hospital for treatment. It can reduce the pain in your final days-”
“What do you mean? Stacy has stomach cancer?”
Disbelief filled his eyes, and his face turned ghostly pale in a heartbeat.
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