Chapter 6

Lily's POV

I put all my strength into that slap.

Serena's head snapped to the side. Five clear red finger marks instantly appeared on her pale face. She covered her cheek, eyes wide with disbelief, then tears immediately welled up and spilled over.

"Holden..." She turned to look at Holden, her voice trembling with grievance.

The suite fell deathly silent.

Holden's expression was dark enough to freeze over. He strode forward, yanked Serena behind him, and stared at me with piercing eyes.

"Lily, have you lost your mind?!"

I watched him protect Serena and felt the last warmth in my heart go completely cold.

"I've lost my mind?" I laughed coldly, pointing at Serena. "Holden, didn't you say you were in LA for a meeting? Your meeting is at this woman's birthday party?"

"This is my private business. It's not your place to interfere! Apologize to Serena right now."

"Apologize?" I sounded like I'd heard the world's biggest joke. "She destroyed my voice, stole my stage, and now wants to take my place. You want me to apologize to her?"

"Lily!Holden suddenly raised his voice, his eyes terrifyingly cold. "I'll say this one last time. Apologize. Otherwise, you'll never see Dr. Bennett again for the rest of your life."

My whole body shook. I looked at him in disbelief.

Dr. Bennett was my only hope for rehabilitation.

Holden was actually using this to threaten me?

"You've been investigating me?" My voice trembled slightly.

"You think you could contact a doctor privately without me knowing?" Holden looked down at me from above, his eyes full of cruel possessiveness. "Lily, I gave you a chance. You chose not to be obedient. Since you want so badly to fix your voice and leave me, I'll personally cut off all your hope."

I felt like I'd fallen into hell.

I finally understood that I had no secrets from this man. He was like an airtight net, trapping me inside, watching me struggle, watching me despair.

I saw Serena hiding behind Holden, a smug, cold smile at the corner of her mouth.

She suddenly stepped forward and reached out to grab my sleeve.

"Miss Hart, don't be angry. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have let Holden come celebrate my birthday. You can hit me or yell at me, just please don't fight with Holden..."

As she spoke, she deliberately stepped backward.

The instant her hand touched my sleeve, Serena suddenly screamed and fell straight backward.

"Ah!"

Serena hit the floor hard. Her forehead struck the edge of the table, instantly drawing blood.

"Serena!" Holden's expression changed drastically. He immediately crouched down and pulled her into his arms.

"Holden, it hurts..." Serena leaned weakly against him, looking at me with tearful eyes. "Lily, I just wanted to apologize. Why did you push me?"

I stood there, coldly watching Serena's poor acting.

"I didn't push you."

"Enough!" Holden suddenly looked up. "Lily, you've disappointed me so much. I always thought you were just willful. I never imagined you'd become so vicious!"

Vicious?

I looked at this husband who was accusing me for the sake of his mistress and suddenly felt utterly exhausted.

"Think whatever you want." I turned around, ready to leave this suffocating place.

"Stop!" Holden's cold voice rang out behind me. "Escort Mrs. Chase back to the villa. Without my permission, she's not allowed to step one foot outside!"

The bodyguards outside immediately rushed in, blocking my path on both sides.

I didn't struggle.

I knew that in New York, as long as Holden didn't want me to leave, I couldn't.

I looked back at Holden. For the first time, my eyes held no emotion, just desolate, deathly calm.

When Holden met my gaze, he said nothing. He just picked up the injured Serena and strode out of the suite.