Chapter5 "Victor, you're finally here!" The moment he stepped in, Evelyn clutched the scratches I'd left on her face and threw herself into his arms, sobbing. Victor gently brushed her hands aside. For an instant he looked genuinely startled; then his eyes softened with pity. "Honey, does it hurt? Who did this to you? I won't let whoever harmed you go unpunished." His razor cold gaze swept the room, and every employee lowered their head in fear. The little boy ran forward and wrapped himself around Victor's leg, his voice trembling with tears. "Daddy! You're finally here... I was so scared. If you hadn't come, Mommy and I would've been bullied to death..." Victor scooped him up, cradling him and smoothing his hair with a tenderness that made my ribs tighten. "Don't be afraid. Daddy's here. I won't let anyone hurt you." Watching them-so intimate, so safe-my eyes burned. It felt as if someone were grinding my heart into dust. The ache was far worse than any physical wound. Evelyn pointed at our bloodstreaked, filthy clothes with trembling fingers. "These two phony rich women claimed our cake was frozen and reheated, then tried to cheat us! And not only did they attack me, they stole the jewel you gave our son and melted it down..." I let out a cold laugh. Evelyn's talent for turning a story upside down was impressive. Victor's gaze slid to my half stripped body; his jaw clenched in disgust. "You let beggars into the hotel now? What are you doing?!" he barked at the staff. I opened my mouth to speak, but Victor, eyes full of loathing, kicked me as if he meant to finish me. Pain shot through me, cold sweat breaking across my skin; my teeth chattered, words dying in my throat. He turned to his bodyguards and hissed, "That bitch dared lay a hand on my mate and my child. Drag her out. You know what to do." We had spent twelve years together, side by side, and in that instant he didn't even recognize me. I stared at him, tears pouring uncontrollably. My throat constricted; I forced out a hoarse, small sound. "Victor..." But Evelyn stepped between us, rushing her complaint to his ear. "Victor! She kept insisting she's your legal mate!" Chapter5 50.00% For a fraction of a second his posture stiffened-any child could see it-then he slid back in parting Evelyn's back to soothe her. *How could I ever fall for a beggar? You're my only mate. I swear there's no other woman b Then he turned his gaze on me, cold as a blade. "Cut out her tongue. Let's see how fast she Donsense." The words hit like a thunderclap. My whole body went rigid; my mind went blank. He woul mistress. My mother in law gathered the last of her strength, hauled herself upright with trembling through clenched teeth, "You monster! Who dares touch her tongue today?!" Chapters