Chapter 7

I became Dominic Thorne’s personal secretary.

My daily tasks were limited to serving tea and water, and preparing his three meals.

And, satisfying him whenever he wished.

Hundreds of people in the company, each looked at me with disdain.

In the pantry, in the restrooms, colleagues constantly whispered that the new Miss Blackwood was a vixen.

A shameless slut.

Why did no one treat me as Dominic Thorne’s girlfriend?

Because, at this very moment, his fiancée, Seraphina Vance, was sitting across from me.

Her exquisite face was slightly distorted with rage.

“Aria Blackwood, do you have no shame? You abandoned Dominic for money back then. Now you’re shamelessly throwing yourself at him for money again. How can there be a woman as despicable and low as you?”

I clasped my hands tightly, trying my best to ignore her verbal abuse.

Since I was doing something shameful, I deserved to endure everything that came with it.

Seraphina grew even angrier seeing my silence.

She splashed a cup of coffee onto my face.

The scalding coffee ran from my face down to my neck and inside my clothes.

I bore the burning pain without a sound.

As if by doing so, the pain in my heart would lessen.

Seraphina’s enraged face suddenly turned to one of hurt.

Following her gaze, I saw Dominic Thorne walking towards us, looking anxious.

He glanced at me, then handed me a tissue with a look of disgust.

Then he gently wrapped an arm around Seraphina’s slender waist, his expression doting.

“Seraphina, did she upset you?”

Seraphina’s eyes were red, and she pouted, looking up at him.

It was as if she, not I, was the one who had been doused in coffee.

She leaned into Dominic’s arms, saying sweetly, “Dominic, why is this woman here? And what’s your relationship with her? You don’t still like her, do you?”

I looked up at Dominic, a flicker of hope rising in my heart.

He scoffed, gently flicking Seraphina’s nose with his finger.

“Silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about? What is she to me? Even if every woman in the world died, I wouldn’t spare her a glance.”

“Right now, she’s just a servant by my side, here to atone for her sins.”

Pain radiated from all directions.

My chest felt as if it were crushed by ten thousand pounds of stone.

My face suddenly felt icy cold.

Dominic snorted. “Who are you crying for with that pathetic look? You’re bad luck. Get out of my sight.”

Like someone granted a reprieve, I fled in disarray.

Dominic’s driver followed me in the car and said, “Miss Blackwood, Mr. Thorne asked me to take you to the hospital.”

Hah!

What was this?

A slap, then a sweet treat?

I stubbornly continued walking.

The driver followed behind. “Miss Blackwood, please get in. We’re all just trying to make a living, don’t make it harder for me.”

I stopped.

Yes, we were all just people forced by circumstances.

Why make things difficult for each other?

At the hospital, the doctor prescribed me ointment.

I also took the opportunity to visit my mom in the special care ward.

I had to admit, money truly was a good thing.

Not only was Mom out of the ICU, but she even had moments of lucidity.

However, her memory was always a bit jumbled.

Sometimes she would revert to before our family went bankrupt, holding my hand and asking, “How are things with Dominic, honey? He’s such a good boy, don’t be too hard on him, okay?”

Other times, she’d go back to after Dad’s death, clutching me and sobbing, “Aria, your father and I are so sorry. Your dad is gone, what’s the point of me still being alive…”

Dr. Miller called me into his office and said, “Miss Blackwood, your mother’s condition is improving now. You should visit her more often; she keeps mentioning your name when she’s lucid.”

“In another year or so, she might even be able to continue her treatment from home.”

I bowed gratefully to the doctor.

I had been waiting five years for this day.