The moment she caught sight of me, Dahlia deliberately exposed herself more.
The suggestive hickey on her neck was like a physical blow, shattering my dignity.
Caspian caressed her foot one last time before reluctantly letting go and standing up. “Scarlett, why didn’t you wait for me to pick you up? Why did you come back on your own?”
He frowned slightly, his tone feigning concern but actually holding a note of blame.
I felt as if I were nailed to the spot. After a long moment, I asked robotically, “Why is she here?”
Caspian’s tone was matter–of–fact. “Dahlia is one of my company’s actresses. She’s not well, and I don’t trust anyone else to care for her.”
After a pause, he added, “Scarlett, go make Dahlia some bourbon.”
With that, he went into his study.
I stood frozen, not moving.
Over a decade ago, my parents started a business, but they were swindled by a bourbon supplier, went bankrupt, and racked up massive debts. In the end, creditors came to our house and beat them to death.
Ever since, the thing I’ve hated most is bourbon.
Caspian knew perfectly well that I despised bourbon, yet he still told me to make it…
As I stood there lost in thought, Dahlia urged, “What are you waiting for? Caspian asked you to make me a drink!”
She looked completely at ease, as if she were the lady of the house.
I silently boiled the water and made the drink, the clear surface reflecting my red–rimmed eyes.
When I brought it to Dahlia, she crossed her arms and sneered, “Scarlett, you’re just like an obedient little dog.”
“You probably don’t know, do you? Caspian and I have been sleeping together for a long time. You’re just his wife in name only. Even the baby in my belly is his!”
Remembering the auburn hair in the sink, my heart trembled, and my stomach churned violently.
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He Gave Her Strawberries, Gave Me Hives. I Gave Them Both A One–Way Ticket To BANKRUPTCY.
52.2%
Chapter 4
I bit my pale lip, using all my strength to maintain what little dignity I had left.
“So what? As long as I don’t agree to a divorce, your child will always be illegitimate.”
“What did you say?!”
A sharp glint flashed in Dahlia’s eyes. She snatched the hot kettle from my hand and poured the boiling water all over her own foot!
“Ah-”
Steam billowed out. Her fair skin was instantly covered in gruesome, shocking blisters.
At the same moment, Caspian heard the commotion and rushed out of his study, his voice trembling. “Dahlia?”
He held her tightly in his arms, then turned his furious face to me. “Why would you do that?”
Stung by his words, my fingernails dug into my palms, and my voice rose unintentionally. “It wasn’t me! Dahlia did it to herself! It’s a setup…”
“Impossible!”
Before I could finish, Caspian cut me off impatiently. “Dahlia has a kind heart. She would never do something like
that.”
“Scarlett, if anything happens to Dahlia, I’m holding you responsible!”
With that, he shot me a dark glare, then carried Dahlia out and disappeared into the night.
I gave a bitter laugh and lowered my eyes.
The broken glass on the floor seemed to pierce my heart, making it bleed.
This was a long, hard night.
The next day, with neither of them back, I went out to pick up my newly issued visa.
I scheduled my last words to be released in five days and started packing.
On the bookshelf, covered in dust, was the first award of my acting career.
The day I won it, Caspian lifted me high above the crowd. “Scarlett, you’re amazing!”
In a scrapbook in the drawer, he had meticulously noted all my preferences-
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He Gave Her Strawberries, Gave Me Hives. I Gave Them Both A One–Way Ticket To BANKRUPTCY,
52.4%
Chapter 4
Allergic to mangoes, hates cilantro, loves the ocean…
When did he forget the things he had written with his own hands?
The wedding photo in the entryway was taken during our honeymoon. He was afraid I’d have regrets, so he hired two separate photography teams and had a beautiful album and video made…
A few large drops of water fell onto the picture frame.
I gently wiped them away, only then realizing they were my tears.
I spent the afternoon sorting through things as the evening sun cast its last rays into the room.
I looked around the small home I’d lived in for five years. I had poured my heart into choosing every piece of furniture, but now, the things I wanted to take with me didn’t even fill a single suitcase.
There must be a lot of other American actors in Europe, right?
As I was thinking, I heard a noise at the front door.
Before I could turn around, a strong force grabbed my arm, yanked me out the door, and threw me into a car.
A dull pain throbbed at the back of my head, and Caspian’s furious voice roared in my ear.
“Scarlett, you actually hired people to assault Dahlia?”
“How could you become such a vicious woman?”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.

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