The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights novel Chapter 10

As I said this, Thaddeus completely broke down, his eyes full of remorse.

He began slapping himself hard, then pulled out a knife and started stabbing himself wildly.

"Scarlett, I'm sorry. Would this make you feel better? I'll do anything for you. Let me atone for my sins, please? Give me one more time..."

Before he finish, I cut him off.

"You were sleeping with my sister. Your photos were plastered all over my room. Every day while I was being abused, I had to stare at them. I really wanted to die ai that time." I let out a cold laugh. "And now you decide to investigate."

I ignored the three of them and walked away with Hayes.

It wasn’t the easiest walk, all those judging eyes made me hard to breathe.

Everyone avoided me like the plague. Hayes couldn't find anywhere for us to stay.

Until my mother, who had been following us, broke down and explained loudly in the crowd, apologizing to me. Someone recorded it, livestreaming the whole scene, causing another online storm.

"She is innocent! My older daughter Vivienne set her up! She was forced! The culprits have been caught! Please stop! She's innocent..."

Along with the livestream, the Blackwood and Lancaster families released a joint statement clearing my name.

It documented the entire two-month ordeal, though what I'd been forced to endure was summarized in just a few words. The internet exploded with apologies.

Almost every post read: "Scarlett, I'm sorry for mocking you."

"Our laughter shouldn't have been directed at the victim!"

"Scarlett, sorry, take care and get better soon!."

"Scarlett, I'm sorry. Wishing you a lifetime of peace and good health, far from your monster family!"

By the time I saw all this, I was already abroad, finally getting a thorough medical examination at a hospital.

Unfortunately, peace wasn't in my future.

The doctor told me my uterus was completely damaged. From long-term starvation and being forced to consume alcohol and various drugs, my stomach was ruined too. Most of my scars would likely never fade.

Worst of all, I had stomach cancer.

When the report came back, Hayes cried uncontrollably, holding me tight and begging me not to give up.

"The tests must be wrong, Scarlett. Let's check again, please. There must be something wrong."