Chapter 4 He Broke Every Promise

Deanna's thoughts spun, her eyes narrowing as realization struck. Brody had been gone for two months before his death, always away for work, never once returning. So how was Talia suddenly expecting a child?

An unsettling suspicion took root-while Brody was absent, Jayden was the only man left in the house. The truth became glaringly obvious. Talia's child must be Jayden's. Their affair must have started long before, meaning Jayden's betrayal went deeper than she ever imagined.

Deanna's chest tightened, and she doubled over in a fit of coughing, unable to contain the rage inside her. Jayden once struggled with infertility, and it was only through her knowledge that he recovered. She had helped him, and yet the first thing he did after regaining his health was get his own sister-in-law pregnant.

A wave of fury threatened to consume her.

Across the room, Jayden's anger eclipsed even hers. He was well aware of his medical history and knew how much this baby meant to him. The possibility of losing the child sent him into a frenzy.

He snatched his phone, urgently dialing Dr. Quinn, then shot Deanna a look full of venom. "I never realized just how cruel you could be. You owe Talia, and you're going to pay for this!" He turned to the butler and scoffed, "Bring the whip!"

Breathless from the coughing, Deanna looked up at Jayden. The man she once loved had become a stranger, twisted by hate. The Spencer family's punishments were brutal-a hundred lashes, something no ordinary man could endure, let alone someone as frail as her. Jayden knew full well that her body might not survive, but he was bent on making her pay, no matter the cost.

Deanna was still piecing together her scattered thoughts when Jayden forced her down, pinning her to the cold floor. Within minutes, the butler returned, holding out a whip laced with vicious barbs.

A wave of terror washed over her. Jayden didn't hesitate. Ignoring everything they'd shared over three long years, he tied her hands and ankles, shoving her to her knees. The rough cords bit into her skin, leaving angry marks, and humiliation flooded her as she knelt, her heart fracturing with every second.

A phone camera was suddenly thrust in her direction.

Jayden's voice rang out, devoid of warmth. "Start recording. Talia will want to see this for herself once she's awake."

Hearing this, Deanna felt her blood run cold. Her voice came out in a hoarse whisper. "You're really willing to risk my life just to keep Talia happy?"

Jayden shot her a look filled with contempt. "Don't be so dramatic. We're not going to let you die."

A broken, humorless smile flickered across Deanna's lips. Maybe she wouldn't die, but this pain would make her wish for it. Was this the same Jayden who once claimed she was the most precious thing in his world? She could hardly believe it.

Suddenly, the crack of the whip shattered the air. Deanna met Jayden's eyes, her gaze no longer soft or loving, but burning with betrayal and rage.

Something in her stare made Jayden falter for a heartbeat. His hand slipped, and the whip landed at an angle, scraping across her back and tearing the skin.

The strike wasn't his hardest, and her bones stayed intact, but the agony sent shudders through her body.

Still, none of that compared to the devastation she felt inside.

She met Jayden's gaze directly, her voice shaky yet unwavering. "If I could do it all over again, I'd never have chosen you."

Jayden's breath caught in his throat. A strange chill crept through him. Had she somehow learned the truth? That couldn't be-he'd covered his tracks at every turn. There was no way she could have uncovered it.

His thoughts were cut short by a furious shout. "Brody, just what do you think you're doing to the next Mrs. Gordon?"

The words made Jayden's grip tighten around the handle of the whip, disbelief clouding his face. He stared at Deanna, bewildered. "Next Mrs. Gordon? Deanna, are you seriously thinking about marrying someone else?"

Blood dripped from Deanna's mouth as she pulled herself up, barely managing to stay upright with the help of the wall.

She wiped her lips clean, her eyes flashing with cold defiance. "What business is it of yours?"

Jayden froze, taking in her striking features-pale, yet still arresting. Reality crashed down on him. He was no longer her husband, just a brother-in-law. Even if she gave her heart to someone else, he had no right to interfere. Still, he couldn't shake the memory of how much she once loved him. How could she move on so quickly?

Paralyzed by panic and dread, Jayden couldn't muster the strength to do anything.

Seizing the moment, the man from the Gordon family shoved Jayden aside, moved swiftly to Deanna, and knelt down to untie the ropes binding her hands and feet.

Within moments, her wrists were raw and bleeding, every movement sending fresh jolts of pain up her arms.

Deanna's gratitude showed in her eyes as her rescuer introduced himself in a gentle tone. "Ms. Evans, my name is Blaine Lambert. I serve as Mr. Gerard Gordon's assistant."

While helping her, Blaine couldn't help but notice that, even battered and weakened, Deanna's beauty was undeniable. She'd be a striking match for Connor.

Only then did Jayden snap out of his daze. He noticed the sleek black card in Blaine's hand-no doubt a formal token from the Gordons. Seeing Deanna accept help from Blaine so calmly, Jayden had a hunch that she had truly resolved to remarry.

He stormed over, seizing Deanna's wrist so tightly she flinched. "Deanna, Jayden's funeral was barely eleven days ago and you're already moving on? Don't you care about the Spencer family's reputation? Don't you care about him at all?"

A bitter laugh escaped Deanna as she met his gaze, every word dripping with contempt. "He broke every promise he ever made to me!"

Jayden's face went pale, his heart hammering in his chest. He couldn't meet her eyes, so he turned on Blaine instead. "Mr. Lambert, you should leave. The Spencer family won't approve this marriage."

The warmth in Blaine's face disappeared. His eyes narrowed as he replied, "You don't approve? What's next-are you going to beat her to death?"

Jayden's features twisted in anger. He squeezed Deanna's wrist until she winced, but she tore her hand free.

Without hesitating, Deanna yanked off her wedding ring and hurled it at Jayden. The ring struck his cheek and left a thin, bloody mark. Her voice rang with finality. "Brody, from now on, I have nothing to do with your family anymore!"