Chapter 2
My eyes widened in shock. So, for the last two weeks, it was Silas who had been holding her to sleep every night.[]
Before I could say a word, Silas began irritably tossing my things out of the bedroom.]
As I bent down to pick them up, a picture frame hit me squarely on the forehead, the glass shattering at my feet with a loud crash.
My hands trembled as I picked it up. In the photo, Silas was holding me, both of us smiling blissfully.
My tears dripped onto his face in the picture, instantly blurring the image, erasing the sweetness.]
Seeing my heartbroken expression, Silas frowned and tried to explain
“Nothing has happened between Rebecca and me. Until we’re divorced, I won’t betray you.”
u.“||
“If you don’t believe me, you can sleep with Rebecca torught.”
With that, he stepped over the mess on the floor and strode out.
Rebecca hesitantly came over and took my hand.
“Charlotte, please sleep with me tonight. There’s so much I want to tell you.“]
At Rebecca’s insistence, I found myself in the master bedroom.
Because my own heart was filled with so many questions. How could the Silas who once cherished me more than life itself
S have become such a complete stranger?
Was this really just sympathy for Rebecca, or had his heart truly changed?
Right in front of me, Rebecca slowly slipped off her nightgown and slid demurely under the covers.]]
Seeing the whip marks and burns on her exposed skin, I couldn’t help but think of the horrific abuse described in the news.
Women stripped naked, thrown to the floor to be violated and used for sport, then leashed like dogs for amusement before being discarded in sweatshops.
The images made my heart clench, a complex mix of emotions churning inside me.
I slowly sat on the edge of the bed, then lay down beside Rebecca.
Hebecca’s voice, when she spoke, was eerily calm.]
“Charlotte, you know, I’ve always been so envious of you. Born into a wealthy family, growing up to do a job you love. marrying a man who’s handsome and brilliant and worships the ground you walk on.”
She let out a short, sharp laugh.]
“Do you know about the first time I met Silas? I was just handing him a glass of water. My hand barely brushed his, and he recoiled like I had the plague, the disgust in his eyes was so clear.“]
“How could he be so good to you, give all of his love to just one person?“]
“So, from that day on, I decided that I would have him. Even if it!
me into a million pieces.”
Seeing the horror dawning in my eyes, Rebecca let out another chilling giggle.
m not as pretty!
“Charlotte, do you think I was aiming too high? That you, not as talented?“]
Her gaze burned into me as she spat out each icy word.[]
“But these scars, they’re my weapon. And Silas has already fallen in love with me. In love with how weak and pitiful I am Charlotte, you’ve already lost. And it was a spectacular loss.”
Rebecca giggled again, the sound utterly bone–chilling
I was stunned. I realized the girl I’d sponsored was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, one who had been coveting everything I had from the very beginning.
I shot up and scrambled off the bed. I had to find Silas, to tell him everything.
Rebecca lunged and grabbed my arm, a strange, twisted expression on her face.
“Going to tattle? Let me show you who he’ll believe.”
With that, she slapped herself hard across the face and collapsed to the floor with a thud.
Before I could even react, the door burst open. Silas charged in and smacked me hard across the face.]
“Charlotte! Rebecca told me she’d show me your true colors, but I refused to believe you were this vicious! How could you do this to her? She just got out of the hospital!”
By the time Silas helped Rebecca to her feet, tears were already streaming down her face.
A beautiful woman weeping silently is a truly pitiful sight.[]
“Salas, I was just telling Charlotte that I would leave after the baby is born, that she shouldn’t blame you.”
“And she called me a shameless whore. She even told me I should just die, that my living was a disgrace.”
As she spoke, she suddenly shoved Silas away and lunged for the open window.
“Just let me die! No one cares if I live or die anyway“]
She turned a tragic, tear–filled gaze on Silas.
“Thank you, Silas. You’re the only man who has ever touched my heart. Meeting you in this lifetime was enough for me.“]
With that, she swung a leg over the windowsill.[]
Silas’s face went deathly pale. He dropped to his knees with a thud.
“I swear it! For the rest of my life. I. Silas Duncan, will love Rebecca Brown! I will always be by your side! If I break this vow. may lightning strike me down!“]
Rebecca covered her mouth, sobbing. She flew into Silas’s arms.[]
“Duncan, I don’t want you to die! Even if you don’t love me, I will love you without any regrets!“[]
Silas immediately pulled her close and kissed her deeply.
“Silly girl. I will love you forever.“]
