Chapter 3

The words hit like a thunderclap. The room went dead silent.

I stared at Martin, stunned.

"Martin, what is he talking about? Didn't you tell me Margery was just a girl from a family friend's household?"

Martin cleared his throat and spoke as if it were nothing.

"Oh, I forgot to mention. That night, on our wedding anniversary, I got drunk and mistook Margie for you."

"Cecilia, you're an orphan. Marrying me was already more than you deserved. It's a rare thing that Margie isn't fighting you for the title of Mrs. Swanson, so you'd better be grateful for how gracious she's being."

There was a roaring in my head. All I could hear was the buzzing around me as I watched Martin's mouth open and close.

I had given up the identity of a wealthy heiress, willingly run his company for him, and in the end Martin wanted me to be grateful to his mistress.

Three years of dating, one year of marriage—what was any of it worth?

The love I'd thrown everything away for turned out to be a joke.

Margery sauntered up to me, and without warning her hand flew out and cracked across my face.

"You'd dare hit me? Cecilia, take a good look at what you are."

Then Margery turned to Martin.

"Martin, my brothers got beaten up in your house today. You'd better make this right for me, or you can forget about ever seeing me again."

Martin went tense the instant he heard it.

"Margie, you can't ignore me. Don't worry, I'll make sure you get satisfaction today."

"Please don't get upset. It's bad for our son."

Then Martin turned to me, disgust in his voice.

"Low-born really can't rise above it. Throwing a tantrum, going wild, all over a title."

"Cecilia, if you still want to keep the title of Mrs. Swanson, then kneel down like a good girl and apologize to these men. If they forgive you, we'll drop the whole thing today. Otherwise—"

I held my face, my eyes bloodshot, staring at Martin as cold sank all through me.

"Martin, you want me to apologize to the men who groped your wife?"

"So what if you apologize?"

"Back in that orphanage you were probably fighting dogs over scraps of bread. A few good years and now you act like you're precious."

"Right, Martin, you've just spoiled her too much."

"Yeah, back in that orphanage, who knows how many men had her already, and here she is playing the chaste little saint."

"If it weren't for you having warmed Martin's bed, a piece like you would go for two hundred a night in some hotel."

Watching one arrogant, shameless mouth after another, I nodded, seething.

"Fine. I'll remember every one of you. Do you know who I am?"

"Don't care who you are. You beat up Bruno today, so you're apologizing, or you can crawl back to your orphanage."

The nose-ring man rushed at me and kicked me in the leg. I went down with a thud, hard onto my knees.

In the same instant, the man in the floral shirt planted a foot on my back.

"Crawl under, let me see how flexible you are. Otherwise, once you're in the getup later, I won't even be in the mood."

Margery strolled right up in front of me.

"Cecilia, today I'm teaching you how to be a proper high-society wife. Don't be a jealous, petty little thing and embarrass Martin."

Then she looked at Martin, her voice turning aggrieved.

"Martin, you see? I told you Cecilia was shallow. She throws a fit over a seat and makes you lose face in front of all these people."

"Today I brought all these brothers over to teach her some manners. They're worn out doing it. How are you going to thank me?"

Martin caught her hand with a grin, lifting it to his lips and kissing it flippantly.

"How about I thank you later? Pinch me, hit me, whatever you like. Happy now?"

"You're awful. What kind of gutter tricks have you picked up from Cecilia? I'm a young lady from a good family. Ugh, disgusting."

Martin burst out laughing and pulled Margery into his arms, nuzzling her.

The crowd was jeering. Someone shouted.

"Cecilia, hurry up and crawl! Show us that slutty side of yours."

"Cecilia, aren't you just a whore anyway? Do a good job, and when Martin's done with you, you can still service us brothers."

Someone grabbed at my backside. Someone stepped on the back of my hand.

I struggled, my eyes bloodshot, glaring at every single arrogant, gloating face.

"Every one of you is going to die today!"

"Let me tell you, I am the daughter of Tom Pruitt, the richest man in New York. You will all be punished."

The laughter only grew louder.

"What did she say?"

"Daughter of Tom Pruitt, the richest man? Is something wrong with my ears? Hey, blondie, blow in there for me."

Just then a voice rang out.

"Mr. Fox of Radiance Group has arrived."