At the Santiago Group's newest product launch, I froze as I stared at the massive screen.

Displayed on it were naked photos of me—taken the year I first joined the company—when I was assaulted by a client.

I snapped back to my senses while everyone laughed, panicking as I tried to look for the remote, only to be stopped by Dominic Santiago.

"Emmie, since you know how painful it is to have your privacy exposed, why did you include Rosa's underwear in your post last night?"

My hands trembled as I pulled out my phone and opened the post from the night before, holding it up in front of him.

In the bottom-right corner of the photo was a patch no bigger than a fingernail—just the faint edge of a bathrobe.

If no one pointed it out, anyone would have assumed it was a towel tossed on the floor.

"You call this underwear, Dominic? Does this count as privacy?"

He glanced at the photo, frowned slightly, and replied in an icy tone, "Whether it counts is beside the point. Your intent alone is unforgivable."

With that, he raised the remote.

The next second, the big screen started playing the surveillance video of me being violated in a private room eight years ago.

My shrill screams and the sound of fabric tearing echoed through the vast exhibition hall.

Cameras swung toward me from every direction.

The painful memories made me shrink into a corner fearfully.

Dominic's assistant stepped forward and whispered urgently, "Mrs. Santiago's mental health barely improved this year, Mr. Santiago. If this continues, something could really go wrong..."

"Shut up! She's hard to kill!"

Dominic carried Rosalie Mavros in his arms, slipped the remote into his pocket, and walked away without looking back.

Looking at the victorious smile on his face, I knew this time, I truly had to leave...

***

The Santiago Group's exhibition hall was fully automated.

The remote was the only way to control the screen.

No one could stop it. All eyes were fixed on the image of me.

The incident had taken place in the Santiago Group's private lounge on the top floor, an area reserved for only the company's most important clients.

My once immaculate suit jacket had been torn apart and soaked in alcohol.

My shoulders and collarbone were covered in the marks of unfamiliar men.

I curled up in the corner as I trembled, but the drunken man seemed even more excited.

He lunged at me, his bloated hands sliding slowly along my waist.

The scene dragged me back into the nightmare that had tormented me for eight years.

I gagged.

Then gagged again.

I retched uncontrollably.

While the reporters stared at the screen, they rushed toward me with their cameras.

The male reporter who had almost been fired last month after Dominic berated him for dirtying my clothes now wore a greasy, leering smile.

He walked up and grabbed my shoulder before his hands quickly slid down to my waist.

"Haven't you always acted like some pure, untouchable goddess, Mrs. Santiago? Turns out you slept your way to the top after all. I can't believe Mr. Santiago is fine with someone like you. So, tell me—how do you keep him satisfied? Think I'll ever get a turn?"

I shoved his hand away from my body.

Shaking all over, I tried to stand up and escape this living hell.

But dozens of cameras were shoved directly into my face.

"Mrs. Santiago, your husband chose to play this video in public. Does that mean Mr. Santiago has despised you all along? Is it because he thinks you're dirty that you've never been able to get pregnant all these years?"

"Mrs. Santiago, do you think the reason he married you was because of your sex appeal?"

"Tell us, how many deals did you help the Santiago family secure by using such methods?"

The crowd blurred before my eyes.

One moment, they were beasts with gaping mouths, ready to devour me.

Next, they all wore the same leering face, reaching for my body.

I lost it completely.

Upon getting back up from the floor, my eyes were bloodshot as I screamed, "Yeah, I'm dirty. I'm worthless. Get away from me!"

Under their looks of disgust and contempt, I fled in panic.

As soon as I rushed out of the exhibition hall, I received a text.

"Emmeline, the surprise isn't over yet. Look up..."

I jerked my head up, and on the giant screens of every commercial complex lining the street, the same video was playing.

My phone chimed once more.

"Emmeline, now check your phone."

I opened social media and realized the photo of me with messy clothes and hickeys all over my neck had already hit the trending list...

The harsh ringtone made me tremble.

I answered blankly. First came a soft laugh, then the tone suddenly shifted.

"Emmeline, even if everyone calls you Mrs. Santiago, you're still my defeated opponent!

"The Lopez family fell ages ago. Know your place and behave yourself. If you try anything again, every punishment will only get worse!"

The call ended in unrestrained laughter.

I couldn't remember how many times this had happened.

The first time was when my cat accidentally scratched Rosalie's leg.

Dominic threw me into the reptile enclosure at the zoo as punishment, knowing I had a fear of snakes since childhood.

But that day, he just stood outside while holding Rosalie, watching coldly as I screamed until my voice cracked.

The second time was at a banquet, where I slipped and spilled some wine on Rosalie's gown.

Dominic poured more than a dozen bottles of wine over me in front of everyone.

My thin gown clung to my body, leaving nothing to the imagination.

From then on, whenever I attended events with him, people joked that I was his "walking wine scandal."

There were too many other times to count.

If not for thirteen years ago, when the Lopez family went bankrupt, and Dominic risked his life to save me from those debt collectors...

And if not for eight years ago, when I was violated by that pervert, and he stepped in to protect me, I would have left long ago.

Yet now, the man who once shielded me had personally torn that protection apart, turning it into the blade that cut me deepest.

I knew there was nothing left to cling to.

My family had fallen, but it was not gone.

When a giant falls, the shockwaves are felt far beyond the fall itself.

I gritted my teeth, trying to make it back home.

But before I even made it across the street, a wave of dizziness hit me from above.

I collapsed hard to the ground amid sharp honking and strange looks.

When I woke up again, I found myself already in the hospital.

Outside the ward, I heard the doctor's worried voice.

"Mr. Santiago, you promised not to aggravate Mrs. Santiago. Why did you...

"Gosh, just when she was beginning to improve. Now, we're back to square one. If this continues..."

"Will she die from it?"

Dominic's cold voice cut him off.

"Not right now, but if..."

"If that's the case, then stop talking."

The doctor wanted to say more, but Dominic was already losing his patience.

"You don't need to tell me how to treat my wife! I know what I'm doing. Get out!"

The doctor left, and the door to the ward opened from the outside.

"Emmie, it's me."

Dominic leaned down and kissed my forehead, then gently brushed the hair at my temples.

"Wake up. You've been sleeping for a long time."

My body fell into his wide embrace as his slightly rough stubble rubbed against my neck.

"Emmie, don't mind what the others say about you. I never cared about what happened eight years ago, and you're the only one I love."

His familiar breath tickled my ears.

In the past, it was my source of strength. Now, I was disgusted by it.

However, I didn't have the strength to push him away.

He seemed to think I was still as obedient as before, and his mood immediately brightened.

He ruffled my hair, then stood up to grab a small bowl of oatmeal. He then brought a spoonful to my lips.

"Have some food, Emmie. The doctor said you're physically fine, but you now need to eat something."

The warm oatmeal touched my lips.

I hesitated for a moment, but ended up taking a bite. After all, I needed to prioritize my health.

"Feeling a bit better?"

After feeding me a few more spoonfuls and seeing that I still didn't answer, Dominic spoke casually, but his tone allowed no refusal.

"Since you feel better, go apologize to Rosa."

I suddenly turned and met his calm eyes.

"Why should I?"

His dark, intense eyes showed no emotion.

"She tried to kill herself because of that photo you uploaded. If I hadn't gotten there in time, she would've died. We're talking about a person's life here, so you must go."

"What about me, then? She leaked my nudes..."

"Emmie."

Dominic knitted his brows tightly. He slammed the bowl onto the table, his voice turning cold.

"I don't have time to argue with you over such trivial things. The hospital called again this afternoon, and it's about your mother. I had to get an overseas medical team..."

"I'll go."

Hearing the answer he wanted, Dominic kissed me and left.

Watching his back as he walked away, my heart sank into darkness again.

His tone had sounded calm, but I could tell he was threatening me.

My mother had a rare disease. For the past eight years, Dominic had been paying for her expensive treatment and looking for the best doctors.

He never once asked for credit.

But today, he used my mother to threaten me for that woman's sake...

Bitterness exploded in my chest. I searched my phone for that familiar number and sent a text.

"Come back home, Zayn. I need you."

Zayn Lopez was my only family in this world. Back then, he cut ties with our family to pursue his dream of becoming a film director.

But for the show I needed to put on next, if I wanted the effect I needed, it had to be him.

"Okay. I'll be in New York within three days."

"Emmie, I'll be taking Rosa on a trip to relax. We'll be back in three days. Make sure you're ready, and come to the company to apologize once we return."

Zayn and Dominic's messages popped up at the same time.

I clutched onto my phone tightly and cried on the hospital bed, then suddenly laughed like a madwoman.

Three days later, Dominic's driver came knocking on my door early in the morning.

When he saw me, he looked like he wanted to say something, but didn't.

"Mrs. Santiago..."

"Let's go. I'll go with you."

I had prepared myself for the worst when I noticed the driver's hesitant behavior.

Still, I froze when I saw what was in front of me...

Austin Watford, the man who humiliated me eight years ago, was now sitting in Dominic's office, laughing and chatting happily.

Eight years ago, Dominic told me that he had personally sent him to prison...

"Whoa, Emmeline. You're really punctual..."

Rosalie walked out of Dominic's office, her voice sweet and cheerful. She reached out and pulled me straight inside.

Austin, who was already balding at the top, stretched his hand toward me.

I quickly stepped back, bumping into the wine cabinet behind me. A large splash of red wine soaked through my jacket.

Seeing the way he looked at me, I started gagging.

I looked toward Dominic, but he covered his nose with both hands and avoided my gaze.

He seemed like he wanted to say something, but Rosalie spoke first.

"Come on, Emmeline. Since you two are old acquaintances, there's no need to be so tense now..."

She grabbed my wrist and pulled me forward.

"Dom said it was indeed a bit too much putting you on the spot in public that day, so we'll handle your apology privately in his office."

She pointed toward the old man.

"Mr. Watford is an important client and a good friend of mine. As long as you make him happy today ... I won't hold anything against you anymore."

As soon as she finished speaking, Austin dragged me straight to his side.

His thick arm wrapped around me.

"You were probably too young and immature to satisfy me back then. But now that Mr. Santiago has taught you well, I'm sure your skills have improved. Today, let's..."

The wine on my back had already soaked through to my chest.

Austin's gaze shifted downward, along with his hand.

I bit down hard on my lip, the taste of blood spreading in my mouth.

Sitting far away, Dominic lowered his head and said nothing.

A huge wave of humiliation welled up within me, and I used all my strength to shove Austin away.

Before Rosalie's smile faded, I slapped her across the face.

Then, I grabbed her wrist and shoved her straight into Austin's arms.

"Since you're such good friends, you should be the one to keep Mr. Watford company!"

Austin clearly feared nothing. After a disgusting laugh, he tore Rosalie's thin dress apart, pulled her into his arms, and pressed his mouth onto her pale chest.

Watching that scene made a wave of twisted satisfaction rush through me, and my whole body trembled.

Suddenly, someone strangled my neck from behind.

I was flung away, crashing into the shattered wine bottles on the ground.

Countless glass shards stabbed into my flesh, and blood mixed with the red wine on my clothes, blooming into scarlet patches.

Amid the stabbing pain, Dominic rushed toward the screaming Rosalie.

He punched Austin in the face and pulled Rosalie into his arms.

Then, he turned back and grabbed me by my throat.

"Emmeline, I never knew you could be this heartless. Rosa even tried to make the apology easier for you, yet you're still not satisfied. You slept with him eight years ago, so why can't you do it again?!

"Since you don't care about the consequences, I won't either! Today, I'll make sure you learn your lesson!"

Dragging my blood-covered body, Dominic pulled me away.

It wasn't until I saw the hospital from inside the car that I finally understood what sort of punishment he meant.

In the VIP ward on the top floor, my mother, Juliana Horden, was in a deep sleep.

If not for all those tubes on her body and the machines running around the room, she looked like she was taking a nap.

However, that nap has lasted eight years. Ever since my accident back then, she had never woken up.

I stumbled forward and grabbed my mother's hand.

But before I could even feel her warmth, Dominic pulled me away from her.

"Emmeline."

Dominic's voice was low and calm.

"We already talked about this last time. As long as you behave, I'll let your mother stay in this VIP ward peacefully. One day, she might even wake up and hear you speak again. But since you've been so naughty lately..."

Dominic took a few steps back.

He reached out and decisively pulled out the power from one of the machines.

In an instant, all the indicator lights turned red, and sharp alarms rang in my ears.

My mother's breathing grew more and more rapid.

I panicked, stumbled forward, and grabbed Dominic's wrist that was holding the power plug.

"Dominic, I didn't mean it. I was just too scared. You know how much that incident eight years ago scarred me...

"Considering how my mother treated you as family, the least you could do is not make her suffer like this..."

The alarm rang urgently, and my mother's face was turning purple from the lack of oxygen.

I let go of Dominic's wrist, dropping to my knees with a thud as my legs gave out.

"Dom, I'm begging you! You know my mother is all I have. Please let her go..."

A strange emotion flashed through Dominic's dark eyes.

He glanced at my mother behind me and lifted his hand to plug the power back in.

But just as he was about to do so, the window behind us suddenly opened.

Rosalie sat on the windowsill with tears streaming down her face.

"Dom..."

Rosalie looked at Dominic in utter despair.

"You know I value my purity more than my life. Given how that man violated me earlier, I feel dirty to the core. Forgive me, for I can't spend the rest of my life with you anymore. Even though I'm carrying our baby, I still can't..."

A shadow darted across my field of sight.

Before Rosalie finished speaking, she fell back into Dominic's arms.

At that moment, I could only see my mother's face turning purple from suffocation.

I forced myself forward and plugged the power back in.

The alarms finally stopped, but almost immediately, Dominic rushed over.

He shoved me aside and pulled out all the power cords to my mother's medical equipment...

Instantly, dozens of piercing red lights flashed in the ward, and the deafening alarms rang in my ears.

I watched as my mother flatlined, and I rushed toward Dominic like I had lost my mind.

"Dominic, my mother is dying! Please don't..."

He kicked me away, held Rosalie tightly in his arms, and uttered through clenched teeth, "You almost killed Rosa and our child. I can't bring myself to finish you off just yet, so I'll just sacrifice your mother instead!"

Beep...

The heart monitor finally became a straight line.

As the heart monitor came to a stop, the room fell silent again.

I held my mother's hand as it slowly turned cold, watching Dominic leave with Rosalie in his arms.

***

When he left the ward, Dominic felt his whole body shaking.

He put Rosalie down and punched the wall behind him.

He felt that he had gone too far.

"Dom, you..."

Rosalie wanted to comfort him, but for the first time, he pushed her away.

After getting his secretary to send Rosalie home, Dominic wanted to check on me, but he didn't know what to say.

He saw my thin body kneeling on the floor in the ward, shaking uncontrollably.

A dull pain suddenly hit his chest.

His mind was in a mess, and after leaving the hospital, he went straight to the company.

On the way, he kept calling the hospital staff, telling them to arrange my mother's funeral.

When he arrived at the company, Dominic suddenly turned around and drove to Upstate New York.

After getting my favorite tacos, he felt a bit better.

He told his assistant to deal with those photos of me online.

Then, he rushed back toward the hospital.

Thinking he'd lost his mind earlier, Dominic wanted to apologize.

He parked the car downstairs without even switching off the engine, then headed toward the hospital lobby.

But as soon as he stepped inside, a doctor rushed toward him in panic.

When he saw him, he dropped to his knees with a thud.

"Bad news, Mr. Santiago. Right after you left, Ms. Mavros went into Madam Horden's ward. We don't know what she said to your wife, but Mrs. Santiago ended up jumping off the building. We've lost two lives now..."