Love Ends in Vain

When I woke up, I was still lying on the couch, only covered by a small throw blanket draped over me.

Ryan was gone.

The house was filled with noise, with ten or so girls chattering loudly.

I called them into my room and opened the wardrobe.

The walk-in closet was filled with custom-made dresses, each one a unique piece. The girls’ eyes widened at the sight.

Luckily, since Ryan now held absolute power, no one dared to search his house. Technically, these dresses belonged to the Knights, but just like me, no one dared to touch them.

“Take whichever one you like,” I said.

Shannon stood in front of me, scanning me from head to toe with suspicion written all over her face.

“You’re not so generous. What’s the catch?”

I shook my head without answering.

I had finished sorting through my family’s belongings. Now it was time to take care of my own.

Ryan hated me so much. Once I had died, these dresses would probably be burned without a second thought.

Rather than let the designers’ hard work go to waste, I’d rather they find some use now.

Several of the younger girls couldn’t resist anymore. They happily started picking out outfits, slipping them on and squealing, “The quality of these is insane!”

Only a few girls who were closer to my age stood back with their arms crossed, clearly suspicious. They couldn’t figure out what I was up to.

I didn’t care, though. I opened the drawers one by one, revealing luxurious handbags and watches. Their eyes sparkled.

It was only then that I noticed many of these girls resembled me to some extent.

Shannon, the newest addition, looked almost like a replica of me. She was also the most doted on.

However, none of it mattered anymore.

I only had two days left.

From outside, the roar of a sports car echoed through the garden.

Reina, who had been standing stiffly, peeked out, then suddenly walked over and started picking through the clothes.

The moment Ryan walked through the door, Reina held up a dress and screamed.

Somehow, the sequins on the dress had been sliced in half. A sharp edge cut cleanly across her pale, slender leg. Blood streamed down her skin.

I remembered that Ryan had chosen her to have the largest guest room just because of those smooth white legs.

Sure enough, his face darkened. He rushed over and scooped Reina into his arms, blowing on her wound with concern.

Reina’s eyes were misty. “It’s all my fault. Lily was being nice by offering us clothes, and I just had to pick the one with a blade in it.”

Ryan’s expression grew dangerous.

“Lily, I’ll give you one chance to explain.”

I shrugged. “What’s there to explain? Since you won’t let me divorce you, I’m still your wife. What’s wrong with giving your mistress a little lesson?”

“Lily, I’ve told you. Your job is to serve them. Who said you could act like my wife and start disciplining my women?”

My attitude enraged him. He pulled out a whip and handed it to the butler.

“For every drop of blood Reina shed, you’ll repay it a hundred times.”

The whip came down on my legs, the barbs tearing chunks of skin with each strike.

I didn’t feel the first ten lashes.

Compared to the pain in my chest, my legs barely registered.

By the eleventh lash, the wound had opened down to the bone. When I saw the whip lash across my bones, tears finally fell.

Ryan crouched down in front of me. “Hurts now, doesn’t it? Get on your knees and bark for the camera. Say, I, Lily, and the whole Knights are nothing but Ryan Irwin’s dogs. Then bow to Reina and apologize. Do that, and I’ll let you off.”

I said nothing except a cold snort.

As a result, Ryan picked up a baseball bat and struck me down.