Chapter 4

That man seemed to be Caleb.

He was dressed in a sharp suit, his shirt was spotlessly white, and he held his chin slightly up, just like the proud Caleb in my memory.

Suddenly, I recalled the first time I saw him when I was a kid.

My grandfather, Frank Quincey, took me to Pierce Villa to visit Charles, his old friend in arms. Caleb was sitting in the pavilion and playing chess with Charles.

At that time, he made a promise to me that he would treat me well forever.

But later, when Debby framed me in front of so many people at the engagement ceremony, Caleb pushed me to the ground without hesitation.

He said, "Jessica, Debby said before that you didn't like her. I endured it. I thought it was just some petty squabbles between women.

"But this time you've really gone too far. You actually instigated the company employees to bully her just out of jealousy.

"You don't really think that just because Mr. Quincey asked me to marry you before he died, you've been elevated from your original class, do you? You make me sick."

In less than a day, all the employees who had picked on Debby were fired, and before I could hand the evidence I found to Caleb, I was sent to the illegal coal mine. There, I was treated like an animal, and my health was completely ruined.

"Jessica, don't pretend to be asleep. I know you're awake," Caleb said with a cold face, carrying a tray of delicious-smelling food. "Debby had a nightmare because of you again. I should never have brought you back."

He kicked the teddy bear away irritably.

"As long as you sincerely admit your mistake and crawl on your knees from here to Debby's room to apologize to her, I'll give you food. You've always wanted to marry into the Pierce family, right? After you apologize, I might even let you stay here for the rest of your life," he said.

I opened my mouth. My mind was drowsy from the high fever, and for the first time, I didn't obey him. "I... don't want to stay here. I want to go home. Grandpa, I haven't seen him for three years..."

Caleb looked very displeased. He wanted to drag me out but was disgusted by the dirty dust and sweat on me.

"You're ungrateful. Then don't eat a single bite. Starve to death," he roared.

My lips trembled, and tears rolled down. "Fine."

In four more days, I'd be dead as he wished.

Caleb really did what he said and never came to see me again.

I curled up in bed and slept for a whole day and night with a lot of sweat. The wounds on my back and calf split open again because of my unconscious tossing and turning in my dreams. Blood and sweat soaked the quilt.

During this time, a servant came to knock on my door and brought me a soft silk blanket.

I was flattered, but the servant told me that Caleb had built a luxurious manor for Debby in the suburbs, lavished with all kinds of things. All of Debby's things had been replaced with new ones, and this was what she didn't want.

I lowered my eyes and remained silent.

On the third day, the wounds on my body not only didn't heal but showed signs of rotting and suppurating. They were swollen and itchy.

The worst thing was that the blanket stuck to the wounds, and it took me a long time to tear them apart with my teeth gritting. But this made the scabs break again.

They were not serious wounds, but the blood just wouldn't stop.

I lay on the bed, icy all over, feeling like I was really going to die. But before death, I had to see Frank.

Frank was in good health. Three years ago, when Debby caused a scene at my engagement party, it was Frank who stopped Caleb from hurting me with his cane.

Frank had always demanded to check the surveillance to prove my innocence, but unfortunately, he had no power or influence and was nothing in front of the Pierce family after Charles passed away.

Caleb sent me away behind Frank's back.

Frank didn't know where I was. In the past three years, I hadn't sent him a single message.

He must have been crazy looking for me.

On the fourth day, I didn't even have the strength to move.

Maggie saw how pitiful I was and secretly slipped in with medicine and bread.

While I was wolfing down the food, she quickly took off my clothes to apply medicine for me.

Maggie touched my bony body and couldn't help crying. "How could Mr. Pierce be so cruel? What kind of suffering has he put you through all these years? Jess, if it's really that bad, just run away."

With tears in her eyes, she said, "I'm on shift at midnight tonight. Everyone will be asleep then. I'll open the back door for you. Just live your life from now on and never come back."

I forced myself to perk up and pleaded with her to find me a set of clean clothes and some makeup.