Chapter 3

3 Meeting my gaze, he raised his hand and slapped me again.

"Don't look at me like that! Don't forget, if it wasn't for me, your sister would have died a long time ago!"

A sharp ringing exploded in my head. Blood trickled from my ear, down my jawline, and onto the floor. I gripped the edge of the bar to stay upright.

"A couple of slaps is all she needs."

"Is she on something? She never talks to Ashley like that."

The voices around me faded in and out. I couldn't quite make out what they were saying.

But they were right about one thing. I had always been obedient to Ashley.

Back then, I was just a newbie at the company, assigned to work under Ashley at a subsidiary.

I worked day and night, just to earn enough money for Emily's treatment.

But it was never enough.

One day, I was crying in a corner, consumed by despair, when Ashley, out for a smoke, found me.

He offered me a shoulder to cry on, patiently listened to my troubles, and even paid a large sum for Emily's medical bills.

His embrace was warm and comforting, and I fell for him.

Under Ashley's charm and affection, I became his girlfriend.

I thought my hardship had finally come to an end, but fate played a cruel joke on me.

His affection shifted quickly after his childhood sweetheart, Chloe, returned from abroad.

I was never his first choice.

Back then, when he was heartbroken and I was struggling, he felt a pang of pity.

And I foolishly mistook it for love.

Everyone knew that I was more of a useful subordinate than a girlfriend to Ashley.

A tool he could use at his whim.

Now that Ashley had secured his position in the company, he no longer needed me.

I wiped the blood from my lips, laughing bitterly. "Ashley, I've repaid everything I owe you. We're done."

I stumbled away, but Ashley blocked my path. "I won't stop you from leaving, but you scared Chloe. You have to apologize to her." His voice was devoid of any warmth.

I held my head high, staring him down.

"Are you deaf? I said, apologize to Chloe!"

Ashley grabbed my arm, shoving me towards Chloe.

I forced a smile, speaking slowly and deliberately, "She. Doesn't. Deserve. It."

Chloe's tears started flowing again, triggering Ashley's protective instincts. He kicked me in the back of the knee, forcing me to kneel.

"Apologize! Are you mute?!"