Chapter 16
Amelia curled into herself, wrapping her arms tightly around her head, as if this small act of protection could shield her from the worst.
Then, abruptly, the beating stopped.
Bright lights flicked on, flooding the room with harsh illumination.
Amelia didn’t move, the pain so profound she was almost numb.
Slowly, she opened her eyes, blinking against the brightness, and saw Theo standing over her.
His expression was a chilling mix of disgust and satisfaction.
She turned her gaze away, her eyes sealing on Karen–the woman who had begged for help, claiming her family was on the brink of death from illness and crushing debt.
Amelia wiped blood from the comer of her mouth and spoke with surprising composure. “So, you’re all in on this? The food poisoning, the debt collectors, the injuries–it was all fake.”
Karen flinched, shrinking back into the corner with her head bowed.
Though she didn’t look remorseful, Amelia’s piercing stare seemed to strip away her facade, exposing every inch of her complicity,
Theo stepped closer, grabbing Amelia’s chin and forcing her to face him
Her defiance at the mall had enraged him, but now, seeing her beaten and bloodied, he felt a sick satisfaction.
Her strength and dignity, the qualities that once drew him to her, were now the very things he wanted to crush,
“Still think you can stand up to me, Amelia?” Theo sneered. “Do you still not understand? When I married you, it was a favor. You should’ve been grateful. But no–you had to push your luck.”
This was Theo in his purest form: self absorbed, cruel, and entitled.
When she left him, he expected her to crumble, to leave broken and humiliated. Instead, she’d walked away with her pride intact blow to his fragile sense of control.
Now, Vince Hollow, a man far more capable and dignified than Theo, loomed in the background of her life, a threat Theo couldn’t ignore.
The thought of Amelia finding happiness elsewhere drove him to a dark, jealous rage.
Amelia remained silent, her steady gaze locked on Theo.
Her refusal to beg or cower only fueled his anger.
“Still pretending to be tough?” he snapped.
Theo turned toward the back of the room and barked, “Get out here!”
Two doors opened in unison, and four massive men stepped into the living room, their towering figures radiating menace, just like Damon Cross,
With calculated deliberation, Theo dragged a chair to the center of the room, the legs screeching against the floor.
He sat down, a smug grin plying on his lips, his rage now replaced with cold, sadistic amusement
He raised a hand lazily, signaling the men.
In response, they retrieved a set of ominous tools, their purpose chillingly clear.
The camera was fixed directly on Amelia, with two glaring lights shining on her, casting a harsh, pale glow on her face.
Then sat sprawled in his chair like a king, a triumphant grin on his face.
“You’ve always enjoyed filming your little videos, luven’t you?” he sneered. “Well, today’s your big break. You’re the leading lady, and these fine gentlemen! They’re your co–stars. A real blockbuster production.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the room erupted in laughter.
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0:27 AM
Chapter 16
The expressions varied–mockery, amusement, anticipation–but each one was equally vile..
Only Amelia’s face remained cold as ice. Her eyes brimmed with tears of humiliation, but they refused to fall
Seeing her like this. Theo felt a deep, twisted satisfaction
He prided himself on his two foolproof methods for controlling women: violence and shame.
The first time he and Damon set her up in that hotel. Theo had held back, letting Damon treat it as a mere act
But this time, he was serious. He knew that with a video like this as leverage, Amelia would have no choice but to obey him for the rest of her life.
Lighting a cigarette, he gave the order. “Start filming
The four men advanced toward Amelia.
The camera beeped, signaling the recording had begun.
Amelia’s eyes widened with terror as the camera captured her and the men’s faces in stark detail.
Theo leaned back, his laughter echoing through the room.
But just as the scene reached its horrifying peak, an earsplitting bang shattered the tension.
“Bang
Everyone froze, their heads snapping toward the door.
Thro’s face darkened. “Damn it Who the hell is that?
The old house didn’t have a peephole, so there was no way to see outside.
Karen, eager to please, piped up, “Il check. It’s probably my husband.”
She cautiously opened the door just a crack, but before she could peek out, the door was kicked open with explosive force.
Karen yelped as it slammed into the wall, and Theo barely had time to process the situation before he came face–to–face with the police
The sight stunned him into silence.
For three full seconds, his mind raced, searching desperately for a way out. In the end, he made the dumbest choice possible–he ran
Theo bolted, but a young officer moved with lightning speed, closing the distance in a single stride and kicking Theo to the ground.
Theo cried out in pain, thrashing as he tried to get up, but it was futile,
By the time he was hauled upright, his hands were already cuffed
The officer pressed down firmly on his shoulder, his gaze stern and authoritative.
Theo, immobilized and confused, still couldn’t comprehend how things had spiraled so drastically out of his control
Then he saw her.
Amelia.
She was smiling.
Her lips curled as she wiped the blood from her mouth. “Honestly, Theo, Lalready suspected this was another one of your traps. That’s why I asked Shuron to call the police before I came here.”
Her voice was steady, sharp as a blade. “Conspiring with Karen to set me up, inciting others to assault me, and using violence yourself–those are all very real crimes. You’re finished.”
Even in the face of future divorce proceedings, Amelia knew she now held the upper hand.
Her smile deepened, her long lashes casting delicate shadows over her cheeks.
Even in her disheveled state, her beauty was striking–cold and resolute, with a breathtaking edge.
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9:27 AM
Chapter 16
Theo had never seen her like this before, and for the first time, he felt a flicker of fear.
He gritted his teeth. “How could you have known?”
Amelia’s eyes glinted with disdain. “Was it really that hard to figure out? Karen showed up covered in blood, conveniently blocking my car, and somehow knew exactly which road Id take?
“Obviously, she had help. When I offered her money, she didn’t push for more but instead begged me to come to her house. It was all too suspicious.”
She had seen through the trap but had walked into it anyway.
Because this marriage, this battle with Theo, had always been a gamble an ordinary woman daring to defy fate
She had long since accepted the risks.
It would cost her blood, tears, and countless dangers. She’d even resigned herself to staking her reputation if it meant grasping that sliver of hope.
And this time, she had won
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