He Gave Her Strawberries, Gave Me Hives (Ford and Sylvia) novel Chapter 157

n the housing compound courtyard, all the military families were assembled.

velyn was pressed down on a bench as the cold military canes came down hard on her back and legs, blow after blow.

xcruciating pain swept through her entire body, but she bit her lip hard, not making a sound–only the cold sweat constantly streaming down her pale face evealed her agony.

fter twenty lashes, she passed out cold.

hen she was dumped on the floor of her room like a rag doll, with no one caring.

ate that night, she was awakened by searing pain.

truggling to get up, she found her hidden medicine and painfully tended to her own wounds.

very movement pulled at the hideous wounds on her back and legs, nearly making her faint again.

ooking at her battered, scarred reflection in the mirror, she suddenly remembered–that forced divorce application should have its result by now.

o the next day, enduring excruciating pain, she made her way step by step to the legal office and retrieved the divorce decree with its red official stamp.

ack at the housing compound, she placed the divorce papers on the cold coffee table in the living room, conspicuously visible.

he looked around this place where she’d invested three years of emotion and effort–there wasn’t a trace of warmth here, only endless humiliation and pain

ood. It was time to end this.

he simply packed a few old clothes that belonged to her into a small travel bag.

ist then, the phone rang from the research facility, informing her that the send–off gala was about to begin and asking her to prepare.

velyn made a soft sound of acknowledgment, hung up, picked up her luggage, and left without looking back.

few days later, Dante’s injuries had improved enough that he insisted on being discharged to recover at home.

eraphina came back with him.

Then they opened the door, the house was eerily quiet and empty.

eraphina said with feigned concern: “Dante, there’s no one here… Your wife didn’t run away in a tantrum because of what happened, did she? Should you look or her? What if something happens?”

ante frowned, scanning the empty, silent house, feeling an inexplicable hollow discomfort.

1 three years of marriage, whenever he came home, Evelyn was always there–lights on, food warm.

his coldness felt extremely unsettling.

ut he quickly suppressed that strange feeling, his tone indifferent: “She’s a grown woman–what could happen? Don’t worry about her. She knows how to

ome back.”

lis gaze casually swept over the living room, completely missing the divorce papers on the coffee table.

le had more important things to do.

Come on,” he said to Seraphina, “let’s go to the send–off gala. That’s what matters.”

Chapter 10

The science museum’s grand auditorium was packed with distinguished guests, the atmosphere solemn.

Dante and Seraphina found seats, surrounded by excited whispered conversations.

“Did you hear? The Project Artemis director is that Dr. Thorne who went into hiding a few years ago!”

“Really? That genius propulsion expert? She’s finally coming back?”

“This is incredible! With her leading the project, our national aerospace defense breakthrough is finally possible!”

Absolutely! This is amazing news!”

Dante listened to the discussions around him, growing curious and admiring toward this “Dr. Thorne” he’d never met but who was so highly respected.

Anyone who could earn such admiration from these accomplished peers must be truly extraordinary.

Like everyone else, he waited with anticipation for this mysterious project director to take the stage.

Finally, the host’s excited voice rang out: “Now, let’s give our warmest applause to welcome the Chief Director of Project Artemis, Dr. Evelyn Thorne, to address

as!”

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