Chapter 3

3

Right after that, I booked a one-way flight out of the country for next week.

The moment the payment went through, Jude called.

After a moment of hesitation, I answered.

"What?"

"Alara, Sienna didn't bring a change of clothes. Go buy her some lingerie."

Jude's voice was strained and punctuated by heavy breathing.

I didn't need to guess what they were doing.

Before I could respond, Sienna's voice chirped in my ear.

"Make sure it's red lace, Alara! Jude loves seeing me in that style."

"You heard her! Go buy it now, and don't take all day!"

Jude hung up without giving me a chance to speak.

The boy I once adored had become a total stranger.

In the evening, I placed my father's ashes in the memorial garden.

Once everything was settled, I took an Uber back to Jude's mansion.

The house was blazing with lights, looking like a palace of sin.

As soon as I pushed the front door open, a crystal vase came flying at me. It smashed against my temple.

I clutched my bleeding forehead, the searing pain radiating through my skull.

Jude's voice hit me like a barrage of bullets.

"Alara! Where the hell have you been fooling around?"

"Where are the clothes I told you to buy? Where are they?"

"Answer me! Who do you think you are, trying to give me the silent treatment?"

I looked up, blood trickling down my cheek. My wound felt like it was on fire.

Jude's face was twisted in rage.

Sienna sat next to him, twirling her hair, looking annoyed that her fun had been interrupted.

"Don't be so mad, Jude. Maybe Alara is just jealous and throwing a tantrum."

"Her? She doesn't have the status to throw tantrums in my house."

Jude snorted with contempt. He glanced at the blood on my face for a split second before looking away with total indifference.

"I'll give you one last chance to make it up to me. Go to my room and wash all the clothes. By hand. Only hand-wash."

I didn't say a word. I just walked past them on shaky legs.

The bedroom smelled like a mixture of cheap perfume and sex.

Lingerie and toys were scattered across the floor, and torn stockings were draped over the headboard.

The sheets were a tangled mess, stained with the evidence of their afternoon.

The smell made my stomach churn. I felt like I was going to vomit.

Before I could even process the disgust, a wave of intense dizziness washed over me.

Right before I blacked out on the floor, I heard their voices from the living room.

"Let's go find some real fun tonight."

"I'll take you to that new exclusive club downtown. What do you think?"

"Will it be even more intense than what we just did? Oh, hubby, you're the best~"