Chapter 3

I stared at the broken shards of my phone on the floor, then at Martha, who was struggling more and more. Tears streamed down my face, unstoppable.

"Do you even know who she is? She's your husband's mother!" I screamed, completely breaking down.

But instead of believing me, Sera just got even worse.

"Oh, really, you pathetic hussy? I haven't even said who my husband is, and you're already trying to impersonate his family here? And you call her 'Mom'? Clearly trying to be the mistress! You filthy slut, I'm not going to let either of you get away with this! Security! Get over here and hold this tramp down!"

The words were barely out of her mouth before four burly men rushed over and pinned my arms and legs. Struggling was useless.

I screamed at the top of my lungs.

"Liam Evans! Liam Evans! Is your husband Liam Evans?! She really is Liam Evans' mother! Please, I'm begging you! My mom truly has asthma, she's in danger right now! Please, just let us call an ambulance!"

Sera stood with her arms crossed, her eyes blazing with malice.

"You actually know my husband, huh? Ha! I knew you wanted to be the mistress! No problem, I'll make sure you never dare to covet someone else's property again."

The moment she admitted she was with Liam, I heard my heart shatter.

The last sliver of hope I clung to vanished. The man who'd promised to love and protect me for a lifetime had taken a mistress right after I'd given birth.

And by the looks of it, it hadn't been a short affair.

"You four, have you ever slept with a woman?" Sera's voice slithered in my ear, chilling me to the bone. "You're in for a treat today. This woman likes to steal other women's men. She's all yours to 'discipline.'"

Before I could even process the fresh heartbreak, their disgusting laughter filled the room. I fought back with all my might.

"Stop it! No! If you dare touch me, Liam Evans will never let you get away with it!"

Sera laughed, a triumphant, mocking sound as she covered her mouth.

"Liam Evans? He's *my* husband! Why would he protect *you*? You guys, hurry it up!"

With her command, I watched in horror as those repulsive faces loomed closer.

Rough hands tore at my body, still weak and vulnerable from childbirth.

The ripping sound of my clothes, interwoven with the men's crude gasps, became the most terrifying symphony in my ears.

"Stop! You beasts! Let my daughter-in-law go!"

Martha was screaming beside me, struggling to get up from the floor, but her asthma attack made every breath a torturous battle.

Sera slowly walked over to Martha, her face etched with utter disdain.

"You old hag, you think you can play hero in your state? You'd better worry about yourself first!"

*SMACK!*

A loud, stinging slap echoed through the room, landing squarely on Martha's aged face.

"MOM!"

My eyes widened in terror, and I let out a gut-wrenching scream.

My heart, in that single deafening slap, completely shattered into a million pieces.

I struggled with all my might, but I was held down firmly on the cold ground.

Despair, like a tidal wave, completely engulfed me.

I don't know how long it lasted. Finally, the men stood up, satisfied.

They adjusted their clothes, muttering insulting words about me, and then moved to stand behind Sera.