If I Had Known…

Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably, for myself and the innocent child I lost.

“You look so ugly when you cry. Stop, you’re only slowing me down,” Peter said, his brows slightly furrowed.

I looked at him. He hadn’t changed at all, but I didn’t recognize him anymore.

In a haze, memories flooded back. When my parents abused me, it was he who held me and took the blows meant for me. When I was nearly frozen on the balcony, it was him who carried me through the snow, all the way to the hospital. When did he change?

Maybe it was when I mentioned Cindy or it started when he blushed at the sound of her name. Maybe it began when I was pushed to the ground by Cindy, and he asked if she was hurt. Or maybe it all started with every complaint I voiced about Cindy each time she hurt me, and his indifference grew with every word.

I thought I wasn’t good enough until Cindy used her old tricks again. She claimed I had hired a thug to harass her, and just like that, Peter’s affection for me plummeted to nothing.

He didn’t even try to find out the truth. Instead, he beat me half to death and locked me in the bathroom. He stripped me and took pictures of us in “compromising” positions.

I was terrified, but he just looked at me with mockery.

“I won’t touch you. I think you’re disgusting.”

He pulled out the photos he’d taken and showed them to me.

“For being bold enough to hire someone to harass Cindy, you’ll have to face my revenge. I’ve found some men for you. Let’s see how you like the taste of them.”

At that moment, I felt utterly humiliated. I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

I was terrified. The man standing in front of me was once my savior, the one who had pulled me from the depths of despair, but now, he was the one bringing the storm. Yes, he really did hire men to humiliate me.

It was only when I was saved by Shawn, a speaker at a school event, that I got away. His warm suit jacket shielded me from the cold, helping me survive the brutal winter. That was our first meeting. He was my angel, and I carried that memory for years.

With the help of the police, I tried to press charges against Peter, but it was useless because there was no evidence. Worse, my parents and younger sister were spreading rumors that I had always been a troublemaker, trying to seduce men.

My parents even forged reports claiming I had an abortion when I was young. Just like that, the people who hurt me faced no punishment, while I became the scapegoat, the one everyone blamed.

Eventually, I finally got a chance to study abroad. However, the day I received my acceptance letter, Peter tore it up in front of me.

Why? It was because Cindy couldn’t go abroad, so neither could I.

I also managed to pass my graduate exams, but when Peter intervened, none of the professors would accept me. They said they didn’t want a student with a bad reputation.

Later, I worked for a company and was about to be promoted to supervisor when Peter struck again. He hinted to my boss and sent me to an old man’s bed.

Then, Shawn appeared. With him by my side, no one dared to touch me, but it seemed like the world belonged to Cindy. Unsurprisingly, everyone was drawn to her. It was as if loving her was inevitable for anyone who met her.

Maybe it was the effect of the drugs, or maybe I was really on the verge of death, but my heart monitor was erratic, and even Shawn came rushing in.

“What’s going on?” Shawn’s gaze was sharp. “If anything happens now, don’t blame me for being harsh.”

Peter glanced at me, his expression unreadable.

“Maybe she’s emotional from losing the baby.”

“You were really pregnant?” Shawn asked, gently tapping my face, concern in his eyes.

However, he wasn’t concerned for me.

“Tess,” he said, his voice dark. “You better calm down and stay alive long enough to give up that kidney. Otherwise, I’ll let Peter take it out, grind it up, and feed it to the dogs.”

Peter’s smile was wicked. “I was thinking the same thing.”