Chapter 6
One of the men gripped Avery’s jaw. “Someone paid us to make you pay your debt.”
As his words ended, the sharp crack of a slap rang out.
Once, then again.
Avery’s ears rang, her mouth filled with the taste of blood.
The man got tired of slapping her and shook out his wrist.
“That takes care of the slapping. Now for the next part…”
The men exchanged knowing looks, letting out lecherous snickers.
Her clothes were brutally torn, exposing her skin to the cold air.
Avery’s eyes were vacant. She didn’t struggle or make a sound.
Images flashed before her eyes: that time hiking when she twisted her ankle, and Reed tenderly massaged it before carrying her slowly down the mountain.
The sunset that day was just like today’s.
And at their wedding, him holding her, crying, saying marrying her was the greatest fortune of his life.
That time when a drunk man said something vulgar to her, and Reed beat him so badly he couldn’t get out of bed for three months.
He’d said: “Avery, you can only ever be mine alone.”
One by one, images of the past appeared before her, then shattered like bubbles.
A tear slid from the corner of her eye.
Reed Bennett, the biggest regret of my life was falling in love with you.
After the men were satisfied, they fastened their belts.
The ropes were untied.
“Had we known you’d be so cooperative, we wouldn’t have bothered tying you up.”
“No wonder she was married to a rich guy-she’s definitely premium quality!”
“Hell yeah! That body’s got some serious kick to it!”
A round of raucous laughter.
Avery sat up expressionlessly, methodically putting her clothes back on, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth, carefully straightening her tangled hair.
She slowly stood up, then fell straight backward.
A shocked voice cried out: “Holy shit! She jumped!”
She thought to herself: I’m going to die anyway. One day sooner, one day later-what difference does it make? Just not in a very dignified way.
Avery felt like she was sinking into a swamp, deeper and deeper, until she was completely submerged in darkness.
13.03
Taking Amposia to
Chapter 6
When she opened her eyes again, the light above was blinding. Instinctively, she raised her hand to shield her eyes.
Where was she? A hospital?
Right, Reed had force-fed her peanuts that she was allergic to.
And his conversation with the assistant-he hadn’t lost his memory at all!
Her heart felt like it was being torn open, the pain so intense it was numbing.
Yet her eyes were too dry to shed a single tear.
Avery tried to sit up, but her entire body felt broken, pain shooting through her.
Only then did she notice her wrists and legs were wrapped in bandages.
She found it strange and asked the nurse changing her dressing: “I just had an allergic reaction. Why do I have wounds all over my body?”
The nurse gave her an odd look: “What allergic reaction? When you were brought in, you were covered in injuries-old and new. Your leg had severe burns, and many wounds were infected, especially the one on your palm. A little later and they’d have had to amputate your hand. I’m amazed you’re still alive.”
Avery was completely stunned.
The nurse described things she couldn’t remember at all.
She checked her phone. The date on the screen didn’t match her memory at all.
Her phone showed a flight booked for two days later, and… an assisted suicide appointment.
Avery’s head throbbed with such excruciating pain she thought it might split open-
Signing divorce papers, the bracelet shattering and cutting her palm, telling Sugar to wait for her, being beaten, crying, at the cemetery, falling from a building… fragments of memories flooded her mind, but she couldn’t piece them together.
Her heart felt like it would explode with pain.
Her memory was becoming confused.
Which made her realize-her condition was deteriorating ahead of schedule.
Maybe a week, maybe tomorrow, maybe the next second, she would forget everything.
Suddenly, the door to her room opened.
Reed rushed in, grabbing her hand, his eyes rimmed red, his face filled with what looked like genuine distress.
“Avery, how did you end up so injured? It’s all my fault…”
His voice was slightly choked, as if there had been so much happening these past few days that he hadn’t noticed her accumulating injuries.
Avery pulled her hand away, looking at him with disgust, her voice mocking:
“What’s this? Done with the act? Memory returned?”
The concern on Reed’s face instantly froze, then slightly receded.
“I… though I don’t remember you, we were once married, so it’s only right that I check on you.”
Just then, Victoria timidly entered, clinging to Reed’s sleeve like a frightened rabbit, hiding behind him.
Reed gave Victoria a tender look.
Chapter 6
“Your head is still injured-why are you wandering around? I just came out to get your test results and thought I’d check on Avery while I was at it. I’ll be right back.”
While I was at it?
Avery’s heart contracted painfully.
So that’s what she was-just an afterthought.
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