Moving On Without You

Mia's suggestion to call the police elicited interesting reactions from both Xena and Nick.

Xena’s gaze darted nervously, while Nick erupted in anger. “Mia, do you think I wouldn’t dare call the police because I’m unwilling to let you go?!”

“No, Nick, I know you would,” Mia silently answered him in her heart. “But your precious Xena won’t let you. She knows her little tricks might fool you, but they won’t fool the police.”

If the police were to uncover that the peanut powder was something she added herself, wouldn’t that be incredibly awkward for her?

Sure enough, a second later, Xena spoke in her sweet voice. “Nick, don’t do this. Mia is still your wife. You can’t send her to jail because of me.

“Besides, I’m fine now, aren’t I? And think about it—if not for Mia, then at least for the Ford family. If the public finds out that your wife went to jail, it would damage the company’s reputation, and Ford Corporation’s stock would surely take a hit.”

With Xena’s persuasion, Nick managed to rein in his temper and didn’t call the police.

But while there would be no police involved, there still had to be punishment.

“Mia,” Nick said coldly, his voice venomous as he grabbed her by the neck, “Xena is too kind-hearted to hold you accountable, but that doesn’t mean you’ll walk away unscathed. The pain she suffered tonight—you’ll feel every bit of it yourself.”

“Dr. Jason, bring the prepared medication,” Nick commanded.

Gripping Mia’s chin, he forced an unknown liquid down her throat.

The effects of the medicine were almost immediate. Mia doubled over in agony, her body drenched in sweat. She clutched her stomach, writhing and convulsing on the floor. Several times, the pain was so unbearable she nearly passed out.

Nick stood towering over her, his cold eyes fixed on her suffering without a flicker of emotion, not even a crease in his brow.

“It hurts, doesn’t it?” he said icily. “When Xena drank that bowl of soup you supposedly tampered with, she was in just as much pain. Remember this feeling. Pain is the only thing that will teach you a lesson.”

Mia bit down hard on the back of her hand, breaking the skin and drawing blood, yet she didn’t let go or cry out in pain.

“Nick, don’t worry. I’ll do exactly as you said. I’ll remember this pain clearly.

“This is what it feels like to love you. This is the outcome of loving you.

“I understand now. I won’t make the same mistake again,” she silently remarked.

The pain lingered for an entire day, only subsiding late at night when the effects of the drug finally wore off.

Her body was drenched in cold sweat, and her face was pale, completely drained of color.

It was then that Zoe called. Summoning all her strength, Mia answered the phone. “Hello—”

“Sweetheart, it’s me,” Zoe said, her warm, gentle voice bringing a faint comfort. “I’ve taken care of all the paperwork for your move abroad. When are you planning to leave? I’ll book your flight.”

Mia lay on the floor, her eyelashes trembling. She wanted to say she would leave at sunrise. She couldn’t stand another minute here.

But after a full day of agony, her body felt completely drained of life. Even lifting a finger seemed impossible. In this condition, there was no way she could make it to the airport, let alone travel.

And showing up like this would only worry Zoe.

So, Mia forced herself to sound calm. “The night after tomorrow. The divorce will be finalized by then, and I’ll be ready to go.”

“Alright, I’ll book a flight for 7 p.m. the day after tomorrow. Just bring your passport to pick up the ticket at the airport.”