"Grandma scolded you again? Don't pretend you don't enjoy the attention." Evan's voice dripped with mockery. "Maybe you should bow to Bonnie instead. Call her your mistress. Let her teach you how to please a man in bed."
His contempt was suffocating. The media's ridicule had already stripped me bare. But in that moment, my heart finally hardened against him.
I hadn't stayed with the Delgados out of loyalty. I stayed because I was trapped. I hadn't remained by Evan's side out of love. I stayed to survive.
But now? Freedom was within reach. I was done with his games.
"I'm done, Evan," I said, my voice flat.
His smirk vanished.
He lunged. His fingers locked around my throat, pinning me against the mattress. Fresh blood bloomed through the gauze on my abdomen. The IV needle tore across my hand, leaving a jagged red streak.
Evan didn't care.
His grip tightened, knuckles white. "You don't love me? Is that it? Right. I forgot." His laugh was dark. "In your heart, there's only money. You'd sell your self-respect. You'd submit to a man you despise just to keep your position!"
He shoved his phone in my face—humiliating clips from our past lighting the dim room.