chapter 2

The silence in the grand hall was shattered only by the throbbing music. But in the master suite, a different kind of noise reigned.

​"You… how dare you!" Ethan's voice was a low snarl, laced with proprietary fury. "How dare you dance with my brother?" He tore at her clothes with vicious speed, his hands rough.

He continued his attack, punishing her body with reckless malice. Rose, crying, begged for mercy. "No, I… ahh… stop it! It hurts!"

​"It should, shouldn't it?" he hissed. He bit her neck savagely, sending a fresh wave of blinding pain through her already battered body.

All night, he continued his cruel assault, determined to carve a mark on her that would ensure she never dared to speak to another man, let alone dance.

​Meanwhile, in the grand ballroom, Alicia watched the receding crowd, her frustration mounting. "Cedric, what is that bastard doing?" she demanded, gesturing sharply.

​"Who?" Cedric asked, genuinely confused, trying to follow her gaze. ​"I mean, look at Johnathan!" Alicia jabbed a finger toward the handsome brother. "He’s giving meaningful glances to every single damn woman here, but he's completely ignoring me!"

​Cedric couldn’t control his laughter. He threw his head back, chuckling loudly. "Maybe he thinks you’ll eat him alive!"

​"What?! You jerk!" Alicia smacked his arm hard. Unbeknownst to them, Jonathan, standing near the punch bowl, paused. He watched Alicia silently from across the crowded room, a faint, intrigued smirk on his face.

​Hours later, the sun was just beginning to rise over Ethan’s sprawling estate. A trembling maid approached the door of Ethan's study. "Sir… Ms. Rose… she needs a doctor," the maid whispered, her eyes wide with fear.

​Ethan frowned, annoyed at the interruption. "Then call the doctor! Don't interrupt me while I’m busy in my study." He waved her away, then his face smoothed instantly into a calm, practiced smile. He picked up his phone and called Avelyn. "Oh, Avelyn," he cooed.

​The maid was struck by the sickening contrast—his mafia-like cruelty toward Rose, his calm demeanor for Avelyn. She noted how Avelyn only ever sought pride in Ethan's aristocratic figure, while Rose was pure-hearted and kind.

Hating Ethan deeply for his coldness, the maid rushed away from the study. She knew a mere doctor’s visit wouldn't help Rose; she needed to be saved. The maid grabbed the nearest phone and called Alicia instead.

​Alicia was finally home, collapsing from an exhausting day of modeling and photo shoots. "Ugh! What a day," she groaned, kicking off her heels.

​Her personal maid came rushing in, looking like she was about to pass out. "Ma’am, you have a call. It's a maid from Mr. Ethan's estate."

​"What's wrong? Sit first." Alicia forced the girl into a chair and called for water, then she picked up the phone.

​The maid on the other end, Mak, was crying, trying desperately to keep her voice down. She recounted everything: the beating, the pleas, Ethan's indifference.

​Alicia's eyes went wide. A dangerous rage began to burn beneath her skin. She slammed her hand down on the table, the noise echoing through the silent house.

​"What!" she roared.

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