Bloody Love

Archie spun around, his icy, sharp eyes locking onto Vivian as if he were tearing her into pieces. "What did you put in the mulled wine?"

Vivian was so frightened by the menace in his eyes that she took a step back.

"No... I didn't put anything..." she explained in a panic.

"You dare lie to me!" Archie stepped forward, clamping his large hand around her throat and slamming her against the cold wall.

Vivian couldn't breathe, and her face turned crimson. She futilely grasped at his wrist.

"I warned you not to have any foolish ideas." Archie snarled savagely like he was a devil from hell, his every word laced with an icy chill. "If anything happens to her, I'll make you pay with your life!"

The murderous intent in his eyes was terrifyingly real.

Vivian looked at him in despair.

Only now did she understand that, in his eyes, she was a vicious woman.

And that he would want to kill her when anything happened to Cassie.

Just as she thought she was truly about to die, Archie's phone rang again. It was his assistant. "Mr. Palmer, Miss Fuller's stomachache is from the acute gastroenteritis she is having now. It has nothing to do with the mulled wine. Miss Fuller ate some contaminated food earlier tonight."

Archie finally released his hand, which had been gripping Vivian's neck.

Vivian collapsed to the floor, clutching her throat as she coughed violently, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.

While Archie looked down at her, with only persistent coldness in his eyes, instead of any note of apology. "Even if it wasn't you this time, remember this clearly. Know your place and behave yourself. Next time, I won't let you off so easily."

With that, he straightened his slightly disheveled collar, picked up his coat, and walked out without looking back.

"Where are you going?" Vivian asked, her voice hoarse.

"The hospital." He said tersely, then quickly walked out through the door.

The mansion door slammed shut with a loud bang.

Huddled on the cold floor, she touched the sore spot on her neck and suddenly began to laugh.

She was laughing at her three years of foolish infatuation, at her own stupidity for clinging to a man who treated her like dirt.

This marriage was not a cage, but hell.

Vivian sat on the cold floor all night.

The next day, she went to the hospital for her shift as if nothing had happened, her whole body sore.

The mark from Archie's grip on her neck was glaringly obvious, so she had to cover it with a scarf.

As soon as she changed into her uniform, the department head found her. "Vivian, a patient named Cassie was admitted last night with acute gastroenteritis. Mr. Palmer has personally requested that you be assigned to this case."

Vivian felt an ache in her heart but remained composed. "Okay."

Walking into the private room of the hospital, Vivian saw Archie sitting by the bed, personally feeding Cassie.

He was gentle to her, his gaze intent, as if he were taking care of a priceless treasure.

And Cassie, like a docile kitten, just let him feed her, a blissful blush spreading across her face.

The scene was warm and harmonious, yet at it, Vivian felt a sharp ache.

"Hey there, Vivian!" Cassie noticed Vivian before Archie did and waved at Vivian happily.

Vivian forced a stiff smile and stepped forward. "Miss Fuller, I'm here to give you a check-up."

Archie glanced up at Vivian, his gaze as indifferent as if Vivian were a stranger.

Vivian skillfully took Cassie's temperature and blood pressure.

"What is this on your neck, Vivian? What happened to you?" Cassie pointed at a patch of redness on Vivian's neck that the scarf hadn't covered.

Vivian's heart clenched. She instinctively grabbed the edge of her scarf. "Nothing. I'm allergic."

"I see. Take care of yourself." Cassie said with concern, then picked up an exquisitely wrapped box from the nightstand and handed it to Vivian. "By the way, Vivian, this is for you. Thank you for specially bringing me the mulled wine last night."

Vivian glanced at the box but didn't take it.

"I made these cookies myself. Archie told me that you love sweets." Cassie eagerly shoved the box into Vivian's hands.

Vivian felt her heart ached painfully as she now discovered that Archie even shared her preferences with Cassie.

That meant he truly held nothing back from Cassie.

"Thank you," Vivian just said in a strained voice.

After the check-up was finished, Vivian was about to leave. But Archie called out to her. "You will go have lunch at that restaurant on the south side of the city."

It was just like another order from Archie.

Vivian clenched her hands at her sides imperceptibly. "There is a cafeteria at the hospital."

"Do as I told you to!" Archie didn't raise his voice, but it carried an unmistakable pressure that left no room to refuse.

He didn't want to go there with Vivian. He just wanted Vivian out of the hospital so he could be with Cassie alone.

Vivian took a deep breath. "Okay."

She turned and left the ward. The moment she closed the door, she heard Cassie's sweet voice from inside.

Cassie said, "You're so harsh to Vivian. After all, she is your secretary."

"If she did wrong, she should face the consequences," Archie said nonchalantly, as if he were complaining about an unruly subordinate.

Vivian's steps faltered.

So, to him, she didn't even have the right to be forgiven after a mistake.