Chapter 5

Joanna POV

Three hours later, I dragged my body, which had reached its limit, back to the villa.

The villa's main gate was tightly closed. I used my last bit of strength to press the doorbell, then uncontrollably slid to the ground.

One minute... two minutes... ten minutes...

No one opened the door for me. The electronic doorbell made a rustling sound as the camera turned toward my direction.

"Joanna, Summer set a curfew. After nine o'clock, no one is allowed in or out. Find somewhere else to rest tonight."

After a beep, the sound completely disappeared, and the camera returned to its original position.

My spirit, which I'd been forcing to hold together, reached its limit. Scenes related to Adrian flashed through my mind like a slideshow.

On the manor lawn, Adrian once held me in his arms teaching me to weave flower crowns. By the Trevi Fountain in Rome, he and I threw coins together, making a wish to heaven for a lifetime together.

I remembered again how Adrian fought the family elders for me that day, ultimately being severely whipped until bloody and mangled, yet still forcing a smile to comfort me.

And the first time I was pregnant, the way he was genuinely happy from his heart, as if he wanted to give me the whole world. After the child was lost, he barely smiled for a whole year.

The scene shifted, and I saw Adrian in the nightclub gripping my chin, humiliating me to the extreme.

Tears flowed unconsciously. I seemed to have grown accustomed to this pain.

If I could be given another chance, I wouldn't want to fall in love with Adrian again.

I completely lost consciousness and fainted outside the villa gate.

Early the next morning, the servants woke me at the door. I swayed as I walked into the villa.

I felt feverish all over, single-mindedly wanting only to get my luggage and leave the Blackwood home.

Halfway up the stairs, I encountered Summer coming out of the bedroom.

Summer wore only one of Adrian's shirts. The red marks on her neck and chest all proclaimed how intense their night had been.

I knew what she meant but didn't want to pay attention. But Summer blocked my way first.

"Joanna, you really have no shame. Even like this, you still want to stay by Adrian's side?" Summer mocked in a voice only the two of us could hear. "I thought you'd have figured it out last night and wouldn't have the face to come back."

Her finger slid toward the kiss marks on her body. "Adrian's heart no longer has you in it. Or rather, he never loved you. From beginning to end, you were just my substitute."

I slowly raised my head, looked Summer in the eye, and said, "Excuse me. You're in my way."

I wouldn't show weakness before Summer. Regardless of her reaction, I strode to the room where I'd left my luggage.

In my suitcase was a doll my father had made for me with his own hands. This was the only keepsake he'd left me. I had to take it.

The moment I stood up, my vision went black. I steadied myself against the wardrobe for a while before returning to normal. During this time, I seemed to hear a scream from downstairs.

I shook my head and carried my suitcase downstairs.

Whatever happened had nothing to do with me anymore.

As soon as I reached the living room, I saw Summer holding her arm with red, swollen eyes, leaning in Adrian's embrace.

Adrian's face was dark. Seeing me, he immediately ordered the bodyguards: "Grab her!"

Before I could react, a huge force came from behind my legs. My legs gave way and I knelt on the ground. The next second, my head was pressed firmly to the floor, and my lips were cut by my teeth, seeping blood.

"Adrian, I just asked her a couple questions about where she went last night. I didn't expect her to do this to me."

"She scattered nails in the living room! If I hadn't reacted quickly, the nails would have pierced my foot instead of just scratching my arm!"

I looked up in disbelief. "What nails? I didn't!"

The next second, the bodyguard searched me. Soon, he pulled out a dozen nails from my pocket. Adrian's face darkened. "What do you have to say now?"

I immediately looked at Summer.

It was her!

She was the one who stuffed them in my pocket on the stairs! I struggled desperately.

"It wasn't me! It was Summer-she framed me!"

Adrian didn't even give me a glance. He turned and carried Summer to the hospital, pausing at the door.

"Even now you don't know to repent. Since you like playing dirty tricks, take her to the basement for punishment."

"Count carefully for me. If it's not a hundred lashes, you'll make up the rest."