Dominic Reid is my stepfather’s brother, my uncle, and the entire city knows he loves me deeply. At least that’s what they think. The day he proposed to me with a diamond ring, a sonogram of his former lover Vivian Blake spread like wildfire across social media. She was pregnant. Despite my objections, he insisted on turning our wedding into a bizarre threesome. “Vivian needs me. I must marry her too.” Tears stung my eyes, but I nodded, my heart shattering into pieces. However, on our wedding day, Dominic didn’t walk me down the aisle. Instead, he made me lead a filthy mutt, leashed and panting, while I stood frozen in my wedding dress. The internet exploded, countless memes and mockery making me the laughingstock of Christmas. My mind crumbled under the humiliation. To salvage a shred of dignity, I exposed Vivian’s dirty secrets in front of everyone—every sordid detail laid bare. Vivian stormed out furiously. Hours later, news came that she had gotten into an altercation with some thugs. They beat her bloody, leaving her dead in an alley. Dominic disappeared for a week. When he reappeared, he clung to me tightly, his eyes hollow yet uncompromising. I thought perhaps he had returned to me. Then came the day I gave birth. In a cold operating room, Dominic loomed over me, his hands steady as he cut open my abdomen. No anesthesia. Just the cold blade. He removed the stillborn—our child—and replaced it with the freshly dead body of a Teddy dog. Then, he stitched my flesh closed with rough sutures, each one deliberate. “Vivian suffered a hundred times worse that night,” he growled softly, “you deserve this.” I screamed until my voice gave out, blood pooling beneath me, my vision fading. I died with my eyes wide open, staring at the man I once loved deeply. My soul didn’t rest. It lingered, watching Dominic address countless cameras at a press conference. “Evelyn Crowe gave birth to a deformed child,” he said flatly, “she deserves to be buried with dogs.” Then, somehow, my eyes snapped open. I was back on my wedding day. ***** “Vivian is afraid of dogs. She can’t handle this pressure. Take this dog and go in.” Before I could process his words, Dominic shoved the rough hemp leash into my palm. At the other end was a filthy dog, reeking and smearing dirt on my pristine white gown with its matted fur. A chill ran through my entire body. I was stunned—thrown back to that nightmare wedding. In my previous life, I had stumbled down this path, dragging this stinking dog, becoming their laughingstock. Not this time. Heaven gave me a second chance, and I wouldn’t waste it. Without hesitation, I threw the leash to the ground. “This wedding is canceled.” I looked Dominic straight in the eyes. “If you’re so eager to marry Vivian, then go ahead. The ceremony is yours.” With that, I tore off my veil, lifted my skirt, and strode toward the exit. Vivian’s eyes moistened, her delicate fingers clutching Dominic’s sleeve like wilting flowers. “Dominic, maybe I should leave…” “Evelyn!”
“I want to see Grandpa Silas!” I shouted, struggling to break free from Dominic’s grip. His fingers tightened, as if threatening to crush the bones in my wrist. He leaned in close, his voice low. “The wedding isn’t over yet. What’s wrong with you?” He stepped even closer, his eyes flashing with menace. “Walk out now, and I’ll make sure the Crowe family never holds their heads up again. You know what I’m capable of.” I held my breath, my gaze locked with his. A chill crept up my spine. I’d seen that look before—in high school, when bullies surrounded me. Dominic had flown in from overseas and forced each kid who tormented me and their parents to line up and apologize. By nightfall, their family businesses had collapsed, swallowed by Dominic’s empire. But now, I was the target of his threats. The man who once protected me was long gone. Vivian stepped forward, her eyes brimming with fake tears. “If Evelyn doesn’t bless our union, I…” Before she could finish, Dominic’s fingers tightened—a silent command. “Say it.” I bit my lip until I tasted blood, forcing myself to speak. “Congratulations on your marriage. May you have lasting happiness.” His hand loosened, but his eyes lingered on me with something unreadable in their depths. The reception dragged on, the buzz of toasts and laughter fading into dull background noise. As guests began to disperse, two burly men in black suits appeared behind me, shoving me toward a small storage room. A rough push sent me crashing to the floor, my knees slamming against concrete, pain shooting through my body. My hand touched something wet and foul—saliva from that filthy dog now crouching in front of me, the source of my public humiliation. I pounded on the door, my voice growing hoarse. “Let me out!” Dominic’s voice penetrated through, cold as winter wind. “Stay put and think about what you’ve done. After Vivian is settled, I’ll decide what to do with you.” Then, hurried footsteps broke the silence outside. “Mr. Reid! The hospital just called… they say the elder Mr. Reid won’t make it…” Dominic’s response came slow and deliberate, punctuated by the sound of a kick. “He was jogging in the garden this morning. You’re telling me he’s dying?” Fear surged in my chest. I pounded harder, blood seeping from my torn palms, but I didn’t stop. “Dominic, please… let me see Grandpa Silas!” Only receding footsteps answered me. Despair consumed me. I collapsed on the floor, time blurring into a haze. Finally, a janitor pried the door open. I rushed out half-crazed, racing toward the hospital. When I reached the second floor, muffled sobs pierced my ears. My legs weakened. A gurney rolled past, covered with a white sheet over a motionless figure. “Grandpa Silas…” My mother Clara lunged at me, slamming me against the wall. My head cracked against it, warm blood trickling down my neck. “If you hadn’t dragged us into your scandal, Mr. Reid would still be alive!” she shrieked. “You’re a curse on this family—get out!” I opened my mouth but couldn’t make a sound. Relatives pushed me toward the exit, their stares more cutting than any blade. Outside, rain poured down, soaking my wedding dress until it clung to me like lead. Numbly, I pushed open the door to the home Dominic and I shared. Vivian’s sugary giggle greeted me. “I don’t want that,” she cooed. In the living room, Dominic was feeding her a spoonful of food, his eyes tender with a gentleness I hadn’t seen in years. Seeing me standing in the doorway, drenched and shivering, he froze, his smile vanishing. “Vivian will be staying here during her pregnancy. You’ll take on the role of housekeeper. After the child is born, I’ll consider fulfilling our engagement.”
Silas had just left, yet they acted as if nothing had happened. My throat tightened, tears blurring my vision. “Do you know that Grandpa Silas—” Dominic didn’t even look up, his tone as casual as if ordering coffee. “What about him? Oh right, Vivian hasn’t eaten. Go make her some soup.” I hadn’t eaten a bite since morning, my stomach aching with emptiness. But I swallowed my words and silently walked to the kitchen, where I prepared a pot of soup. When I placed the steaming bowl on the table, Dominic snatched the spoon from my hand, gently blew on it to cool it down, and brought it to Vivian’s lips. “Careful, it’s hot.” His voice was tender and affectionate—like a dull knife, slowly tearing my heart apart. Once, when I was sick, he had cared for me with the same attentiveness. But since Vivian appeared, all his warmth had been reserved for her. I took a shaky breath and turned to leave, but Dominic’s voice froze me in place. “Bring your violin.” I stood stunned, my fingers trembling. “That violin means a lot to me. I…” He cut me off, his brow furrowing with impatience. “The best obstetrics team in the country doesn’t come cheap. The hospital director’s grandson is learning to play, and your violin would be perfect for him. It’s just a violin. I’ll buy you a dozen more.” My ears buzzed as the world around me fell silent. That violin wasn’t just an instrument. It was an Italian antique that Silas had gone to great lengths to acquire from a European auction for my seventh birthday. Now that he was gone, it was the last thing he had left me. Vivian sobbed, her voice quivering, “It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for keeping this baby… don’t make Evelyn uncomfortable.” Dominic’s expression darkened. He wiped away her tears, whispering reassurances, then barked at a maid, “Go to the music room and bring the violin.” I gripped the stair railing, my knuckles turning white. Moments later, the violin that held twenty Christmases worth of memories—its wood marked with the passage of time—was carelessly placed in Vivian’s hands. She smiled secretly, a flash of satisfaction I wasn’t supposed to see. “This violin is beautiful…” Then, she deliberately let it slip from her grasp. The violin crashed to the floor, shattering into jagged pieces. I fell to my knees, clutching the remains, my fingers trembling as they traced the broken strings. A heart-wrenching scream erupted from my throat. Dominic yanked me up by the arm. “Enough! It’s just a broken violin, is it worth this hysteria? Vivian didn’t mean to. What are you making such a fuss about?” Vivian cowered behind him, wiping her tears as she said, “Now that the violin is ruined, what about the hospital director…” Dominic gave me a cold glance, putting his arm around her as they headed upstairs. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.” Their figures disappeared around the staircase, leaving me to stare at the shattered pieces of my past. Even my last connection to Silas was destroyed, beyond repair. I dragged myself back to my room like a ghost, only to freeze at the sight before me. The swing in the corner—its ropes neatly cut—lay on the floor like discarded trash. My space, once a sanctuary, was now filled with brand-new baby items. Dominic had converted my bedroom into a nursery. That swing… he had made it with his own hands, promising this room would always be my castle. Yet in an instant, to please his new love, he had torn it down himself. The door was kicked open. Dominic burst in carrying Vivian, his face like storm clouds. “Evelyn, what did you put in the soup?” Vivian let out a shrill wail, her face pale as she clutched her stomach. “It hurts… my baby…” I instinctively moved toward her, but Dominic shoved me to the ground. My head hit the coffee table, stars exploding before my eyes. A small white bottle rolled out of my pocket, landing at his feet. He picked up the bottle, reading the label, his face contorting. “Abortion pills? You tried to kill Vivian’s baby?” “They’re not mine!” I grabbed his pant leg, shaking my head frantically. “I don’t know where they came from!” A slap silenced me, the stinging pain swallowing my words. Dominic carried Vivian out, giving me one last ice-cold glance. “Evelyn, you’ve gone too far. If anything happens to this child, you’re finished.” In the hospital room, I knelt in the corner, my knees long since numb. Dominic stayed by Vivian’s side all night, only breathing a sigh of relief when she finally woke up. “You’re okay,” he whispered, his voice gentle with relief. “The baby is fine too.” Vivian’s hand moved to her stomach, her voice trembling, “I thought we lost it…” His expression immediately hardened. He carefully adjusted her pillow, but when his gaze swept toward me, it was cold as steel. “Come here. Apologize to Vivian.” Just then, my phone vibrated, the screen lighting up with a message: [Sir Reid’s funeral is being held today.] My heart clenched. I gritted my teeth, struggling to stand, but my legs gave out and I collapsed back onto the floor. Dominic’s fists tightened, his jaw clenched. “Stop playing the victim. It won’t work on me. Apologize, or you’re not going anywhere.” Humiliation swept through me like a raging fire, hotter than any pain I’d ever felt. Tears slid down my cheeks. “I’m sorry,” I choked out. His hand paused for a moment, but he didn’t look at me. “Go to the church. Pray for Vivian and the baby’s safety.” With that, he sat back down beside her, gently feeding her soup with a spoon, his tenderness completely erasing my existence. Their world was all whispers and loving gazes, as if I had never existed. I staggered to my feet and stumbled into the biting cold of the street. My only thought was to get to Silas, to say goodbye one last time. My phone vibrated, jarring in the silence. I answered with trembling hands, my breath catching. “Ms. Crowe? I’m the Crowe family driver. Today is Sir Reid’s funeral. I’m here to pick you up.” Minutes later, a black sedan pulled up slowly in front of me. The driver handed me a bottle of water. “You look pale. Have some water.” I took it, tears welling up as I clutched the bottle tightly. Silas was gone. The person who loved me unconditionally would never come back. The cold water slid down my throat, but my vision blurred, my thoughts foggy. I vaguely noticed the scenery outside becoming unfamiliar, but my tongue felt too heavy to speak. When I opened my eyes again, before I could make sense of my surroundings, a heavy weight pinned me down. The stench of tobacco and alcohol hit my nostrils as hot breath grazed my neck. My clothes were half torn away. A rough hand covered my screams. The man grabbed my chin, grinning maliciously. “Mr. Reid said if you behave, I might go easy on you.” Cold terror washed over me like a tide, drowning me completely. For Vivian’s sake, Dominic had pushed me into hell. Tears blurred my vision. My hands desperately searched behind me until they gripped a rusty iron bar. I squeezed my eyes shut and swung the bar with all my strength, smashing it against his forehead. Once. Then again. He hadn’t expected me to fight back. Blood ran down his face as he collapsed to the ground, motionless. Clutching my torn clothes, iron bar in hand, I stumbled out the door. Blinding light greeted me, and I blinked in confusion. Not far away, the golden sign of Reid Group gleamed coldly in the daylight. Three Christmases ago, on a stormy night, I got lost in this factory. Dominic had searched the entire city like a madman to find me. I could still remember how he held me in his arms, soaking wet and eyes full of worry, swearing he would never let me go again. Now, he had deliberately trapped me here. I stared at the twisted old tree by the parking lot, a bitter laugh rising through my tears. With trembling fingers, I dialed a number. “Please… save me…” ***** Videos of the factory fire were already spreading wildly online. Dominic’s assistant Liam rushed in to report. “Mr. Reid, something’s happened! The factory’s on fire, and Ms. Crowe’s last location shows she was inside!”
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