Chapter 2

2

The pain was becoming unbearable. I had worked my entire life to build a reputation, and now I was being treated like trash.

The worst part was that I had a vault full of custom jewelry waiting for this woman. I wanted to welcome her into the family with gold and diamonds.

"Kill this bitch! Look at her, trying to make a quick buck at her age. I don't know what Jace sees in her. Maybe he likes the experience?" one of her friends sneered.

"Maybe he likes that she's desperate. Look at her skin, it's practically sagging already. Don't waste your breath, just ruin her face!"

Raina's friends had a feral look in their eyes. They reached for my collar, trying to rip my silk blouse.

A crowd began to form in the hallway. People pulled out their phones, filming the scene with excitement.

I fought back, but my tears were mixing with the blood on my face. It only seemed to fuel Raina's rage. She grabbed her phone and pointed the camera at me.

"Look at yourself, you pathetic slut. This is what happens to women like you. Did you really think you were a queen? You're just a hole for men to use. Jace is just bored, he'll be done with you in a week."

She dug her long, manicured nails into my cheeks, carving deep red lines into my skin.

Her friends pinned my arms and legs to the floor. They started tearing at my clothes, piece by piece.

I saw my own reflection in her camera lens. I looked broken. This was a shame I would never be able to wash away.

"Are you scared now? Did you think about this when you were spending his money? Every cent you took belongs to me!"

"I want to see what kind of filthy body is hiding under these expensive clothes."

Despite my desperate struggles, they stripped me down until I was shivering in nothing but my underwear.

It was the last shred of dignity I had left. Raina reached out, her eyes cold, ready to take that away too.

I swallowed the blood in my mouth and screamed as loud as I could.

"Raina, stop! You're making a mistake! I'm Jace's sister! His actual sister!"

Raina's hand froze for a split second. I thought the nightmare was over. I thought she would realize her mistake and help me up.

Instead, she burst into a cruel, mocking laugh. Her friends joined in, their voices echoing in the room.

"A sister? You think I'm stupid? If you're Jace's sister, then I'm the Queen of England!"

"Maybe a 'sister' in the bedroom? You're sick. Saying that out loud in front of everyone―have you no shame? I'm embarrassed for you!"

Raina's friend made a disgusted face, pretending to shiver. Raina slammed her foot down onto my face.

"A little fox like you, living off men, wants to be my sister-in-law?"

"You're a rat living in a sewer. You'll never see the light of day. You're a mistress, and that's all you'll ever be!"

She put her hand on her hip and used the other to backhand me so hard that one of my teeth flew out. Blood splattered across the floor like a macabre flower.

The crowd cheered. They were recording everything.

"Strip her! Why are you waiting? A bitch like her doesn't deserve to be covered!" someone shouted from the hallway.

"Take her to the streets! Let everyone see the woman who ruins families!"