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After the Vows Burned Novel Cover

After the Vows Burned

Trapped in a marriage defined by forced intimacy and constant surveillance, the protagonist of After the Vows Burned lives a nightmare under her husband's obsessive control. Everything shatters at an art exhibition where her private trauma is displayed as public spectacle. Her husband, seeking revenge for a past auction dispute involving his young intern, demands she bid on 520 pieces of her own disgrace. This billionaire romance turns into a dark mystery of betrayal and survival.
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Chapter 2

For the sake of a poor student he once sponsored, he was willing to hurt his own wife like this?

The hatred in Matthew’s eyes only deepened, but he did not answer.

His assistant finally could not hold back. “Mr. Fuller, no matter what, you and Mrs. Fuller are still husband and wife. If these paintings are released, it won’t just be her reputation affected, but yours as well…

“You wouldn’t really go that far, right?”

My heart tightened in my throat.

We had been married for two years. Most people would even develop feelings for a dog after that long.

Matthew was utterly impatient. “Wane, you’re overstepping your boundaries.”

“Matthew, don’t be upset. It’s normal for him to ask,” Tiara said with a gentle smile, as if soothing him. Then, she looked at me.

Her gaze was filled with open provocation.

“Raquel, you’re still wearing clothes from years ago. Is your credit running low? How are you going to win the bids like that?”

Back when the Jackson Group was at its peak, I never wore the same outfit twice.

Tiara was deliberately trying to humiliate me.

Matthew spoke with utter indifference. “If she doesn’t have the money to win the bids, the videos and paintings going public are her problem. What does that have to do with me?”

He picked up the microphone. “Everyone, the private auction for these paintings begins now!”

“However, before we start, Ms. Jackson will need to pay for the vase.”

“Fine.” I forced down the suffocating pain, wiped away my tears quickly, and went backstage to make the payment.

Laughter erupted behind me.

“She answered so fast. Perhaps she is planning to run away because she is broke?”

“What do you think? If I swoop in like a hero to save the damsel in distress, do you think this delicate little princess would spend a night with me?”

“If you really saved her, she would sleep with you as many nights as you want. You could even take her to the gallery bathroom right there and let us hear it live. How exciting would that be?”

“Shut up.”

Matthew’s cold voice cut through the room as he stared in the direction I had left.

Sensing his displeasure, everyone fell silent.

After a while, I returned.

I took a seat right in the center of the auction area. My eyes were swollen and red, but I still held my head high.

“Let’s begin.”

Matthew stared at me for some time, something strange flickering in his gaze.

The humiliation-themed auction of artwork about me officially began.

Every time a painting was displayed, the giant screen beside it showed photos and recorded clips from the original moment, looping endlessly.

My pride and dignity were trampled beneath everyone’s feet.

“The first piece is by realist painter Shawn Wellington. The scene is from Glamour Garden’s swimming pool,” the host said with a meaningful smile, “The starting bid price is three million dollars.”

Gasps filled the room.

“Pool play!”

“You can say what you want, but Ms. Jackson really knows how to have fun. What kind of girl would come up with these ideas? I’ll take this one. Four million!”

“You beast! Who bids like that? Four million and one dollar!”

The host glanced around with a grin and then played a scorching audio clip.

It was a recording of me, drunk by the pool, confessing my love to Matthew.

It seemed that even back then, he had already been preparing for this day.

He had deliberately made things difficult for me and crushed my pride completely.

Tears welled in my eyes as I trembled, looking at Matthew.

He sat there quietly, lips curled in mockery.

“Ms. Jackson, do you confess to any man whenever you’re drunk?”

He obviously knew he was my first love.

I had only confessed to him.

I forced a cold smile onto my lips. “Does it make you happy to take revenge on me like this?”

Matthew tightened his grip on his teacup, then looked at me with a fake smile.

“Oh, I’m thrilled. The more you suffer, the happier I am.”

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