Because You Loved Her Image, You Missed My Truth

"I bet on A," I said, but Florence immediately countered, "I choose B."

Every round, she intentionally picked the opposite of me.

Yet, I was fortunate, winning three games in a row.

Her expression soured and she complained pitifully to Kai, "Kai, did she cheat? I haven't won a single game."

Kai just waved his hand coldly. "Wrap it all up for me. Both sides bet the maximum. I'll pay for it and no matter who wins or loses, all the prizes are mine."

His tone was arrogant and everyone laughed, "Mr. Lockwood truly is Mr. Lockwood, so generous!"

My heart tightened. Sure enough, from then on, no matter how much I won each round, the prizes went straight to Kai to handle.

During the distribution, he gave me the choice. "Carolyn, pick one."

I reached out and chose a diamond-encrusted pocket watch.

Then, Florence suddenly chuckled. "Kai, I like the one in her hand. Can I have it?"

I looked up. "I chose this."

Florence's eyes reddened and she lowered her head, biting her lip. "I just thought it was pretty. Since you like it so much, never mind then."

Kai's gaze darkened and he stared at me. His voice had a gloomy tone. "It's just one watch. What's wrong with letting her have it?"

I smiled, retorting, "Kai, I'm your wife. Why should I give in to a mistress?"

If I conceded then, tomorrow everyone would know that Kai's wife was being trampled by his mistress!

Florence suddenly burst into tears, her voice wronged and despairing. "Yes, you're Kai's wife and I'm just a stand-in who cannot be seen in public. I shouldn't have wished for it."

"Kai, I should go. This isn't where I belong!"

With that, she clutched her skirt and ran out.

Kai's face changed drastically. He turned and chased after her. "Florence!"

He caught up to her, held her close and returned with a grim expression.

I stood up, wanting to say something.

Who knew Kai would suddenly yank me onto the fighting arena the next second?

"Since you're so lucky, let's make today's bet bigger!"

He shouted to the crowd of criminals.

"Whoever defeats her gets one million!"

The entire arena erupted in chaos.

I stared at him in disbelief. "Kai, what the hell are you saying?"

"Aren't you so tough? You love gambling, you love a fight. Now you can bet to your heart's content." His voice was icy, a cruel smirk playing on his lips.

I was shoved and dragged onto the stage, the fervent shouts of the audience and calls for doubled bets ringing in my ears.

I struggled with all my might, but my wrists were bruised and my blood ran cold.

The man who once would do anything for me was now personally throwing me into the abyss.

The iron gate of the arena slammed shut behind me with a deafening clang.

A group of criminals, their skin inked with black serpents, strode toward me, their grins twisted with cruelty.

I stumbled back, screaming desperately, "I surrender! I yield! Let me out!"

But no one listened.

For these men, gambling was just a pastime and violence was their true release.

The first fist struck, sending me crashing to the ground. Then came the second. The third.

They grabbed my clothes, tearing at them, as I was pinned to the ground like a struggling rat.

The crowd cheered, placing bets, not caring whether I lived or died.

My eyes flickered to the man sitting in the stands, watching as I was humiliated.

Yet his gaze never left Florence, asking if she was cold or hungry.

Only after a long while did he glance my way.

"You like to gamble, don't you?" His voice was low. "Are you having fun now?"

I curled into myself on the bloodstained floor, trying to cover my tattered clothes, to shield myself from the burning stares.

The crowd buzzed with comments.

"Mrs. Lockwood has a nice figure, I'll give her that."

"What a stunner. Too bad she's past her prime, can't compete with a fresh young thing."

"Didn't she only become Mrs. Lockwood because she looked like his dead ex-wife? Now that the real lookalike's here, it's time for her to step aside!"

The insults kept coming, but Kai didn't react at all.

I clenched my jaw so hard I thought my teeth might shatter.

I remembered a time when someone had disrespected me and he'd lunged at them like a madman, beating them until blood spilt.

"Carolyn," he had whispered that night, holding me tight with a trembling voice. "You're mine. I won't let anyone hurt you."

Now, he was the one pushing me into a den of wolves, leaving me humiliated and mocked.

The one hurting me was him.

Finally, just as I was on the verge of passing out, Kai's cold voice cut through. "Enough."

Bodyguards rushed over, dragging me out of that hellish arena and tossing me into the car.

Only then did Kai seem to realize he'd gone too far. He took off his suit jacket and threw it over me, his voice low. "I'll make sure Scott's graduation banquet is extravagant. Consider it compensation for tonight."

Leaning against the window, I slowly closed my eyes.

Just a little longer, I told myself. In a few more days, the divorce papers would be finalized. Then, I'd be free.