The Wedding, The Goodbye

Unfortunately, men outpowered women most of the time. Chester snatched the photo from me in no time.

As Chester was about to drop the photo, my mind went blank for a moment, and I quickly stomped on his foot with the sharp heel of my shoe.

As he cried out in pain, I snatched the photo back.

Chester glared at me with anger and kicked me in the knee. "You wretch!"

I collapsed to the ground with a loud thud, my knee hit the hard floor.

The pain was so intense that I could hardly breathe, but I held the photo tightly in my arms out of instinct.

"Chester!" Susan hurried over to Chester's side. "Call a doctor! Chester is badly hurt!"

With that, she glared at me. "You're heartless! How could you hurt Chester, who sacrificed so much for you, just for that ominous photo? You truly are vicious!"

I tried to get up, but the pain from my broken bones made my lower body go numb. I could only remain in that humiliating position.

Tears fell uncontrollably from my eyes and dropped onto my grandmother's photo.

It was not just for myself but also for my grandmother.

Once, my grandmother had treated Chester so well that I had been jealous, but Chester repaid her kindness with such hatred.

"Why did you have to force my grandmother to die with regrets at my wedding?

"My grandmother saved you from starving during the flood disaster years ago. She gave up her food for you. Is this how you repay her kindness?

"Leave me alone. Leave my grandmother alone!"

"Shut up!" Chester stood up, looking down at me, then slapped me hard across the face.

I fell to the ground, my face swollen and burned.

He squatted and patted the swollen side of my face contemptuously. "You better know your place, Jess Harper."

Chester's strikes grew more intense, and my body began to sway.

He grabbed my neck with one hand, using the other to slap my face.

"It's just some rotten food. Stop the guilt-tripping."

His slaps intensified, the slapping sounds echoing throughout the house.

"I provided you with everything you wanted for all these years. I met every request you made and even gave myself to you!"

He became even more furious, his eyes bloodshot, his force so strong that it felt like he might kill me.

"Were these not enough? Huh? Were they not enough?! I already apologized to you. What more do you want from me?!"

I could not breathe, my neck feeling like it would snap.

I was unable to do anything except hold onto the photo tightly.

Susan ran over, pretending to defend Chester.

"Don't misunderstand Chester. He really is in a tough spot. He told me you're his only wife. He married me just for the sake of the baby. The baby can't be born as an illegitimate child.

"It's fine if you have no idea how much he loves and cares for you. But why make things worse?"

Susan's words made Chester angrier.

"You're five years older than Susan, Jess! Why can't you understand?!"

His face twisted in fury, gripping my neck and slowly lifting me off the ground.

"Give me the photo, then kneel and apologize to Susan. I'll let bygones be bygones, and you will still be my real wife."

As I was about to pass out, Chester let out a cold laugh and released his grip.

I collapsed to the ground and gasped for air.

"Dream on, Chester." I struggled to reach the fruit knife on the side table nearby, and I tried to stab him, which incensed him even more.

"Is this what you want?!"

He picked up a stool and slammed it hard onto me. I was knocked to the floor, and the fruit knife flew from my hand.

He stomped my hand harshly, grinding it underfoot until I heard my bones crack.

As if that was not enough for him, he picked up the chair again and slammed it on my lower back.

The impact was so intense that cold sweat broke out on my body. My body shook uncontrollably.

Soon, I felt liquid flowing from my body, soaking part of my pants.