Chapter 114

Scarlett’s POV

Noticing the frost in Alexander's eyes, I hurriedly grabbed my shopping bags and rushed after him, my high heels making sharp, urgent sounds against the floor.

Luke had been smoking by the entrance, but upon seeing Alexander and me walking past one after another, he immediately followed.

In the parking lot, as soon as I caught up to Alexander, he shoved me into the car, my back slamming hard against the leather seat.

Everything in my hands was thrown into the car, rolling all over the floor.

Pain radiated up my spine, and I couldn't begin to guess the reason for his agitation.

Just as I was about to speak, he tore the carefully selected dress I wore, the fabric ripping with a harsh sound.

This dress—I had just purchased it at the mall, and now it was reduced to tatters in his hands.

"Alexander!" I cried out, a wave of apprehension washing over me.

The moment the words left my mouth, his fingers forced my jaws apart, pressing against the roof of my mouth.

Pain mingled with humiliation flooded through me.

What new madness was this?

Always forcing himself on me, doing whatever he pleased.

I was pinned beneath him, my waist tightly gripped.

"Forgot... what Edwin just said?" His voice was low and dangerous.

It hit me suddenly—today was Alexander's birthday!

But I truly hadn't known. No one had told me, no one had reminded me.

Even Richard, when sending me to purchase gifts for Lillian, hadn't mentioned it once.

I wanted to explain, but my mouth could only produce incoherent whimpers, impossible to form into complete sentences.

Saliva trickled from the corner of my mouth, mixing with tears of distress as they dripped onto the seat.

Alexander chuckled softly, leaning close to my ear, his warm breath brushing against my earlobe. "How about you give me a child? Hmm?"

Had he lost his mind? How could he say such a thing?

Just because I didn't know it was his birthday, he would treat me this way!

It was profoundly unfair.

I struggled more intensely, my dress tearing further in the process.

Yet all I received in response was his merciless taking, rougher than any time before.

I felt every movement filled with possession and harm, as if he needed to expel all his anger and pain.

Several times, I nearly bit down on his fingers, but remembering his hemophilia, I forced myself to endure.

Why do I still care about his well-being?

After how he's treating me, wouldn't he deserve a lesson?

The thought flashed through my mind but was quickly buried beneath unrelenting pain.

Outside the window, sunlight fractured into shards by the car's shadow, reflected in my tear-blurred eyes.

"Please..." I begged weakly, only to be silenced by his increasingly brutal movements.

The torment continued for two hours, my consciousness gradually fading amid pain and humiliation, until I finally passed out.

"Here's some water. Drink first."

I struggled to open my eyes, the voice seemingly coming from far away.

As my vision gradually focused, I found myself in an apartment.

Soft lighting illuminated minimalist furniture, with the sky outside tinged amber.

Where was I?

It was nearly dark. Alexander had tormented me for so long—was he truly trying to make me pregnant?

I touched my abdomen, where lingering sensations of numbness and tightness remained.

No! I absolutely could not bear Alexander's child. If Richard discovered it, we would both be dead.

"Are you alright?" A familiar, gentle female voice reached my ears.

My thoughts interrupted, I turned toward the source—it was Violet.

She held a glass of water, her face bearing a faint, surprisingly friendly smile.

I tried to express gratitude but found my throat painfully dry, only managing to produce a hoarse sound.

"Take it slow, don't rush," Violet said, bringing the glass to my lips.

The cold water slid down my throat, providing momentary relief.

When I tried to move, my entire body felt as if it had been crushed, especially my lower half, which was almost immobile.

"Alexander is always like this, never knowing restraint," Violet said with a smile, her tone carrying a strange understanding. "I've applied medication for you. You should be especially careful these next few days. If you feel unwell, go to the hospital for a check-up."

"Thank you," I managed to say, my voice still raspy.

I had no time to wonder why she seemed so familiar with Alexander's habits—her relationship with him wasn't exactly innocent either.

"Don't mention it. We're in the same boat," Violet said lightly, as if we were merely colleagues sharing an office.

Her words stung my heart. The same boat?

I laughed bitterly inside. This is the 21st century. Does Alexander truly think he's an emperor?

Anger and shame burned in my chest, even my breathing grew heavier.

Violet's lips curled into a meaningful smile. "Miss Smith, I spoke out of turn. You're different from us."

"With you, he..." She hesitated, her eyes showing something between envy and pity.

I blinked, not understanding her meaning.

From my perspective, Alexander treated me worse than anyone else, and the past two hours were perfect evidence of that.

"I don't understand," I said softly, not wanting to direct my anger at her.

Violet didn't answer, only standing up to say, "Rest well. Whenever you want to leave, I'll take you back."

Watching her retreating figure, I suddenly remembered something important.

"Violet," I hesitated, feeling a shame that was difficult to express.

"Do you have any morning-after pills?"

There was no choice; I finally forced myself to ask.

Alexander never used protection, always seeking only his own pleasure.

My heart turned bitter. How could he ever consider my needs? He'd even just mentioned wanting me to have his child.

My fingers tightened around the blanket, fearing Violet might refuse due to Alexander's orders.

Violet paused, her expression strange. "I don't need those." After a moment, she added, "I'll go buy some for you later."

"Thank you," I sighed with relief, sinking back onto the bed.

She doesn't need them? Why? Could it be that Alexander and she...

I didn't want to continue that line of thought—it would only bring more pain.

Suddenly, I remembered the gifts for Lillian that I hadn't delivered. What if Richard asked about them?

He'd see through any lie. I hurriedly threw off the covers and got out of bed, but as soon as my feet touched the floor, I stumbled as intense pain shot through my lower body.

I collapsed to my knees, cold sweat instantly soaking my forehead.

"Miss Smith!" Violet rushed in at the noise, looking at me with alarm. "You should rest longer. There are some tears... Alexander went too far this time."

My face pale, I bit my lip as emotions churned within me.

We're both Alexander's women, so why must I endure such humiliation?

Is it because I'm just the adopted daughter of the Smith family, a lowly commercial spy, or because in Alexander's eyes I'm merely a plaything to be used at will?

Violet helped me back to the bed and lowered her voice: "Actually... despite all the women around Alexander, he truly—"

Her phone rang suddenly, interrupting our conversation.