The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights novel Chapter 5

"You wanted her to suffer. That night, we set up twenty men slept with her—made sure she’ll be good. Got double payback for Miss Vivienne, just like you wanted."

"But bitch like her—used up and ruined by lowlifes—you’d best stay away. No need to dirty yourself, right?"

Thaddeus went completely still. The color drained from his face as he stared at me.

I couldn't take it anymore. I fought against his grip and bit his hand hard.

As he sat there shocked, I hobbled away on my broken legs. I just kept running until my body couldn't handle it anymore. Finally I collapsed to my knees and broke down sobbing.

I had escaped it all.

I ditched my phone with tracker and barely rested before pushing on. By nightfall, I couldn't go another step and passed out by the road.

When I woke up next day, Dr. Maxwell Hayes was sitting beside the bed, carefully putting medicine on my feet. A bowl of warm chicken soup waited nearby.

I looked around nervously, pulling my feet back.

"You're safe, Scarlett. They won't find you here," Dr. Hayes said, his eyes full of sympathy and guilt.

He brought the soup closer and offered me a spoonful.

I didn't eat. Instead, I asked in a trembling voice, "What do you want?"

"You must want something for bringing me here. What's in it for you?"