Chapter 3
Ryder’s face turned ashen. Unlike the photos, which he’d carefully edited to hide his own identity, these videos would show everything.
He slammed his hand on the table, rising violently from his chair.
“You have some sick exhibitionist fetish, fine, but leave me out of it! What the hell was my mother thinking, insisting I marry someone this deranged? If you need to bet something, use videos of you with other men!”
1 met his gaze, letting him see the full depth of my pain.[]
“But you’re the only man I’ve ever been with. Who else would I have videos with?”
Something flickered in his eyes as he remembered those nights–me curled at the foot of the bed, trembling as I looked up at him. For a moment, he seemed to soften.
Because he took out his frustrations on me at night, he tried to be kinder during the day. But Victoria couldn’t stand even that small kindness.[]
Just yesterday, she’d tearfully claimed that Ryder’s upcoming marriage had triggered her depression. She even put on a show by taking out some pills, throwing them into the toilet when Ryder wasn’t looking, then bursting into tears.]
“Sister–in–law, why did you flush away my medicine? Don’t you want me to get better? How could you be so cruel!“[]
Ryder stared at the pills swirling down the toilet, completely ignoring my explanations, any trace of affection vanished.[]
Like a savage wolf, he tormented me all night long, leaving my body covered in bruises and wounds.[]
Now, Ryder finally lowered his eyes, turning away.[]
“Fine, bet whatever you want. My friends won’t spread it out of respect for me. But your reputation in our circle will be destroyed forever.“[]
The others eagerly agreed.]
“Piper might come from nothing, but that face and body are something else. We’ll keep it between us, promise!”
Their hungry stares made my skin crawl. I could practically hear them salivating.
With no choice left, I glanced at my cards and nodded for the dealer to continue.
For the third round of betting, the trust fund babies wagered vacation homes and priceless antiques.
When my turn came, I stared down at my cards, desperately calculating my options.[]
If I folded now, I’d have to fulfill all my previous bets.[]
Victoria, seeing her brother’s momentary sympathy toward me, had been seething. Now she suddenly grinned with malice.]
“Darling sister–in–law, let me help you with this round’s bet-“]
Everyone turned to her in surprise.]
Ryder affectionately ruffled her hair, giving me an icy look. “You were so rude to my sister, yet here she is helping you in your moment of need. Shouldn’t you feel ashamed?“]
As Victoria signaled someone to set up a projector, dread washed over me.
When the familiar scene appeared on screen, my entire body went rigid with horror…]
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