A Castle Built on Lies

Barbara Lane's snide voice rang in my ear.

A second later, a sharp pain shot through the soft flesh at my waist.

She dismissively scoffed and pulled her hand back. "Why didn't you go to the IVF procedure I scheduled for you this week?"

How could I when I had been locked in the dark room for three days and couldn't even leave the house?

I was just about to explain myself when another voice cut in.

"Avery's been busy bag shopping for the past few days. She probably forgot about it," Eric said. He then shot me a warning glance, shutting me up before I could even speak.

My heart sank.

I knew he was afraid Barbara would take it out on Monica. But what about me? Did he ever stop to think what would happen to me after that?

Sure enough, the moment Barbara heard that, she slapped me hard across the face.

Instantly, a bright red handprint quickly appeared on my cheek.

"We took you in and cared for you, but you can't even get pregnant. Now, you even have the nerve to skip your IVF appointment?"

Furiously, she slapped me again and again in front of everyone.

Soon, I collapsed to the floor as everything spun around me.

Eric saw how pathetic I looked and reached out to me without realizing it. Then, he caught himself and pulled back with a frown.

A flicker of jealousy flashed in Monica's eyes, and she quickly knelt down to help me get up. "Avery, apologize to Barbara. Quickly."

As she spoke, she pressed down hard on the wound on my hand. Her long nails dug into the raw flesh, and I jerked from the pain.

Without thinking, I pushed her away.

Monica cried out, and a bruise quickly formed on the back of her hand where it hit the corner of the table.

Eric's expression darkened instantly. He grabbed her hand, his eyes bloodshot with anger. "Avery, you've got some nerve. How dare you bully Monica? Have I gone too easy on you?"

The Comptons' relatives around us all looked at me with disdain.

"How typical of someone from a poor family. She's so petty. Monica was just trying to help her up, and she hit her in return!"

I gritted my teeth, holding back the pain as I tried to explain myself.

"I didn't mean to hurt her."

Eric laughed, angry and in disbelief. "I saw it with my own eyes. Are you still trying to lie?"

He grabbed my wrist and dragged me toward Monica. "Apologize to her!" he roared.

I stubbornly looked up and said, "I didn't do anything wrong. Why should I apologize?"

Eric's expression darkened. Then, he sneered, "Didn't you marry me for money? Are you trying to act all high and mighty now? It's too late!"

His gaze hardened, and he called for the bodyguards.

"Everything you've worn and used over all these years came from my family. If you won't apologize, then give it all back!"

I was so shocked I could barely stand.

I clenched my fists. "Eric, do you have no conscience at all?"

Eric's lips curled up into a cruel smile as he gave the order.

"You won't apologize? Fine. Strip her and throw her out! She can come back when she learns her lesson!"

The bodyguards didn't hesitate. They dragged me out and started yanking at my clothes in the freezing cold.

"And she calls herself Mr. Compton's wife? She's no different from those streetwalkers."

"She's not bad-looking though. We'll have to thank Mr. Compton for the show."

Laughter exploded around me as I struggled with all my strength.

At that moment, a wave of despair came crashing over me.

Just as someone tore at my dress, the front doors slammed open, and someone furiously shouted, "What the hell are you doing?"

Richard's fierce glare made the bodyguards release me immediately. They meekly replied, "Mr. Compton gave the order. We were just following instructions."

Richard was furious as he helped me off the ground.

"That bastard. I can't believe he would do something like this! How could he treat you like that after everything you've done for him?" Richard growled. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you get justice."

I tiredly shook my head, and the tears I had held back for so long finally fell. "I don't want anything. I just want to leave," I said.

Richard sighed and gently patted my hand. "I brought the divorce papers," he said.

I then put on his suit jacket and pushed open the doors to the banquet.

When Eric saw how disheveled I looked, he snorted. "Have you learned your lesson? Get over here and apologize to Monica!"

However, in the next second, a heavy slap landed across his face. "You should be the one apologizing!"