Chapter 4

"Don't worry about it. Just sign this and your mistress can move in."

Aaron didn't hesitate and signed right away.

The butler holding the ice bucket looked troubled, "Then Mrs. Hill, should we still do the ice bath?"

"No need."

Haven was furious.

If only Aaron had opened it and taken one look.

Just one look, and he would have seen the words "divorce agreement."

But all he could think about was his mistress.

"Bring me the whip and beat him hard, beat him severely, beat him to death!"

The butler brought the leather whip and struck down hard.

One lash.

Two lashes.

The living room echoed with the sound of the whip rising and falling, mixed with Aaron's muffled groans.

After thirty lashes, Aaron finally bent his back and coughed up blood.

"Stop hitting him! Aaron, I'm not worth this!" Anna cried as she threw herself onto Aaron. "If you must hit someone, hit me!"

So the raised whip fell straight onto her back.

Anna screamed and passed out.

"Anna!"

Aaron suddenly pushed the butler away, staggered as he picked up Anna, and rushed upstairs.

As he passed by me, he didn't forget to threaten me, "Sophia! If anything happens to Anna, you won't have it easy either!"

In a daze, it felt like two years ago.

My most precious hands had turned purple and swollen from the cold.

The piercing pain in my fingers made me pass out.

Aaron had held me tightly just like now, frantically searching for a doctor.

"Sophia, you can't die, you must hold on! You're about to marry me, Sophia, I won't let you die!"

"Mom, why do you have to torture the woman I love! If anything happens to her, I'll never forgive you!"

But now, times have changed.

Hearts have changed.

The deep love from before just can't compare to a new flame.

"Sophia, here's the divorce agreement you wanted."

I snapped back to reality.

I took the document Haven handed me.

"Don't be too sad. I know Aaron—that mistress won't be the last one."

"Thank you, Mom."

As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized I'd said it wrong and quickly corrected myself, "Sorry, I should say thank you, Mrs. Hill. I should go now."

"The Hill family is the one who wronged you. I've already secured the competition spot for you. The divorce papers will be processed in three days. Sophia, remember to come visit me when you have time."

After finishing the divorce matters, I finally returned home.

As soon as I entered, the servants all looked panicked, "Mrs. Hill, you're back."

I saw through it at a glance.

It seemed Aaron had already brought Anna home.

Passing by the guest bedroom, I saw Anna lying bare-backed across Aaron's lap.

On her fair back was a deep, bright red whip mark.

He was carefully applying medicine to her wound.

Each time he touched the injury, her body trembled with pain, and she even let out sobbing sounds.

Aaron's brow was full of heartache, "I'm sorry, Anna. It's my fault for not protecting you."

"Aaron, it's not your fault. I should blame myself for my low status, for not being worthy of you. As long as your mother accepts me, I'd be willing to take even a hundred lashes."

"Anna, you're so understanding."

Aaron lowered his head, kissing Anna's whip marks over and over.

That tender and gentle manner, as if he was afraid she'd melt even holding her in his palm.

I smiled silently and quietly withdrew.

In three more days, it would all be over.

I realized my heart didn't hurt anymore.

Instead, I felt a sense of relief, like being set free.

"You're back."

Aaron walked into the bedroom and saw me sitting alone, lost in thought, "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing." I looked up at him. "Is Ms. Sarah okay? Why aren't you with her?"