Chapter 2

As soon as they reached the villa, Cristian did not even get out of the car. He turned around and drove away immediately.

Amelia's mother, Ellen Manson, hurried forward in heartache to support her daughter. She spoke with a choked voice. "Just this month alone, you got kidnapped three times. This isn't a life anyone should live. Amelia, I beg you, divorce Cristian. I don't want to bury my own child."

Back when Amelia married Cristian, Ellen had strongly opposed it.

But Amelia had been enveloped in Cristian's intense and profound love. She refused to believe the day would come when everything fell apart.

Recalling the past and comparing it to the present, Amelia felt the irony cut deep into her bones. "Okay, Mom, let's go."

Ellen froze for a moment. Then she cried and laughed at the same time.

She laughed because her daughter had finally seen reason. Once she left, she would never suffer like this again.

But she also ached for her daughter who had endured so much pain.

As the mother and daughter discussed how to leave, the door suddenly got kicked open.

"Amelia, why don't you just die already?" Natalie rushed in and grabbed Amelia by the throat. "Cristian just got injured and hasn't recovered yet, but he had to go rescue you after another kidnapping. What are you good for besides dragging him down?"

Ellen lunged forward to save her daughter, but Natalie kicked her hard against the wall.

Amelia saw her mother injured and threw herself at Natalie to push her away. Natalie yanked her up by the hair. "Amelia, you still think you're his wife. He doesn't want you anymore. He's sending you away. You no longer have the right to act superior in front of me."

Amelia looked at her unconscious mother on the floor. Panic burned inside her. "Natalie, let me go. Aren't you afraid Cristian will kill you if he sees this?"

Natalie curled her lips into a smile. "Then I'll let you see exactly how much you still matter to him now."

With those words, Natalie picked up a nearby vase and smashed it against her own head. She turned quickly. Blood streamed down her face as she met the eyes of Cristian who had just arrived.

Cristian narrowed his eyes. His cold gaze passed over her to Amelia. "Amelia, I want to hear your explanation."

Before Amelia could speak, Natalie shook her head casually. "It's nothing. I won't die."

Cristian's face darkened. He walked slowly toward Amelia, step by step, and stood between her and Natalie. "Do you know how much effort Natalie put in to save you? Do you know that soon she'll have to go out and bow in apology for the losses you caused the company? She'll drink and make amends? Amelia, you've always been so willful. I'm really tired."

He took a deep breath and stepped aside so the two women faced each other. "Apologize."

Amelia stared at him in disbelief. She saw only stern authority and deep disappointment on his face.

Pain stabbed through her chest. She lost all strength to explain. "Cristian, when will you send me away?"

Cristian's expression grew even grimmer. "Amelia, you hit someone and can't even apologize? Or have I spoiled you all these years so much that you no longer respect my people?"

Tears welled at the corners of Amelia's eyes. Once upon a time, this man could notice if she lost even a few strands of hair.

Now he ignored the strangulation marks on her neck.

She let out a bitter laugh. "In that case, hurry and send me abroad. Before I get kidnapped again and waste your time and energy rescuing me."

"Amelia, you..." The phone ring interrupted Cristian. After taking the call, he frowned and hurried away with Natalie.

Amelia collapsed to the floor as if all her strength vanished. Only bitterness remained inside her. "Mom, help me find a lawyer to draft the papers. Before I leave, I'll find a way to divorce Cristian."