Chapter 6

Joanna POV

I screamed until my voice was hoarse, but no one stopped.

The bodyguards took me to the basement of the Blackwood estate-a place specifically for punishing people.

On the cold concrete floor sat a punishment rack, still bearing bloodstains from the previous victim.

Tremendous fear enveloped me. After these hundred lashes, I'd probably be torn to shreds.

I desperately hugged a bodyguard's thigh, shaking my head constantly. "I'm Adrian's wife. You can't do this to me. He's just angry with me temporarily. If you really do this, he'll hold you accountable later."

I had no confidence at all, but this identity was the only thing I had left to offer.

"Let me go, please. I can give you money, as much as you want."

But the bodyguard completely ignored my words, only raising his hand to point at the surveillance camera in the upper right corner.

"Joanna, don't make things difficult for us. The boss has already given the order. The entire basement has complete surveillance coverage. We're just following orders."

My hand dropped limply as I allowed the bodyguard to tie me to the rack.

The rough whip fell mercilessly. Intense pain instantly swept through my entire body. My whole back was struck without mercy.

My face instantly turned pale, cold sweat streaming from my forehead. I couldn't help curling up, but it only brought me greater pain.

At first, I could still feel the pain, even wishing I could pass out immediately. But soon, I lost all perception of my body, as if my soul had left and was watching this cruel punishment indifferently.

The massive blood loss made me feel an exhaustion from deep within my body. I even felt it would be good if I just fell asleep like this.

I don't know how much time passed. In a daze, I felt someone lifting me up. The restraints that had bound my wrists and ankles disappeared.

The smell in the air became pungent. Many people in white clothes seemed to be constantly moving before my eyes. After that, I couldn't remember anything clearly.

When I regained consciousness again, my entire body was wrapped in gauze. I couldn't move at all.

The nurse making rounds noticed my movement and immediately called a doctor.

The doctor shone a flashlight in my eyes twice, looked at the monitoring equipment indicators, and spoke to me.

"You lost too much blood. Although we've given you a transfusion, you definitely won't recover quickly. We've applied medicine to your wounds, but you need to be prepared. The wounds are too large. They'll definitely scar."

I blinked to indicate I understood.

"We couldn't contact your family, but the person who brought you left sufficient funds in your account. Don't worry. Rest and recover. You can be discharged in about two weeks."

I lay in the hospital for three days before I could finally get out of bed and move around. During this time, Adrian didn't visit me once, but Summer hired a caregiver for me.

Hospital life was boring. Every day I just stared at the ceiling or listened to sounds from the next room.

The next room housed a newly married young couple. Because the wife had signs of threatened miscarriage, they'd been staying in the hospital for observation.

Their room was always lively, with many visitors every day. They even sent me fruit twice.

A child would be happy in such a family.

Two weeks passed quickly. After the doctor checked my condition, he approved my discharge application.

Before leaving, I wanted to see what my "fellow patient" next door actually looked like.

I walked to the hospital room door. What I saw made me freeze in place as if struck by lightning.

That couple I'd always thought was happy-it was Adrian and Summer.

The happy family I'd envied all this time, even hoping my lost child would be reborn into-

It was my husband and another woman.

Just one wall apart. Adrian came to the hospital every day but never visited me once.

Summer, lying in Adrian's embrace inside the room, casually glanced at me by the door. First showing a bit of surprise, she then revealed a victor's smile.

I don't know how I walked out of the hospital.

I mechanically hailed a taxi, went back for my luggage, and picked up the divorce agreement Mrs. Blackwood had given me.

Then I went to the airport, bought a ticket, and went through security. The whole process went smoothly, without a trace of hesitation.

As if going faster would prevent the pain from catching up with me.

Three hours later, I got off the plane in a small southern city.

Feeling the air's moisture so different from New York's, I couldn't help but redden my eyes.

I was free.