Diving into Love and Danger

Some time after Nigel left, Ruthie entered the room carrying dinner. She smiled at me, still wearing my robe.

"Mrs. Heath, dinner's ready. You should eat something."

She grabbed my hand and forced the bowl and spoon into my grip.

I immediately flung them to the floor. "Get out!"

Ruthie glanced at the shattered bowl and let out a cold laugh. She then stomped heavily on the food scattered across the floor. After that, she scooped up the trampled food with her hand and brought it to my mouth.

"Mrs. Heath, you need fuel to keep going. So how can you refuse to eat?"

Ruthie suddenly yanked my hair with her left hand. As I cried out in pain, she took the opportunity to shove the trampled-on food into my mouth.

I tried to spit it out, but she clamped my mouth shut, forcing me to swallow.

She almost suffocated me. To breathe, I had no choice but to gulp the food down.

"Is it delicious, Mrs. Heath?" Ruthie smiled. "From now on, you are only allowed to kneel on the ground and eat this rotten garbage."

I shoved my fingers down my throat, trying to make myself vomit. The acid surged.

I was in so much agony that tears and snot began to stream down my face.

I had failed my parents. By marrying Nigel, I had given him the chance to seize the company they built.

Now, I had nothing and lived with no dignity at all.

No, no! This was all Nigel's fault.

How dare he claim my dad killed his dad, Paul Heath?

The circumstances of Paul's death had always been clear. Dad and Paul had gone abroad for business, but Paul was tragically killed by robbers.

As for Dad, he was lucky enough to escape. After returning home, he went on to found a company.

Dad provided all the money for Nigel's education, from elementary school through university. After Nigel graduated, Dad had him join the company as his personal secretary.

Dad had always treated Nigel and his family well. So how could he slander Dad like this and destroy my entire family?

…

Amidst the whirlwind of complex and painful emotions, I finally managed to vomit the contents of my stomach.

The stench of half-digested food filled the room.

Ruthie covered her nose and shot me a disgusted look. She then turned and left without another word.

My legs still hurt too much for me to walk. But still, I bent over and wiped the floor with a handkerchief. Then, I tossed it aside.

Two hours later, Nigel returned. As he reached for the master bedroom doorknob, Ruthie stopped him.

"Mr. Heath, Mrs. Heath is asleep and said she doesn't want to be disturbed."

Then, she reached up and looped her arms around Nigel's neck. "Why don't you sleep in my room instead?"