Robert said those women were just for fun and that he enjoyed watching me get jealous over him. He claimed it was all part of his ‘little game’. But Gloria Bello was always different. Out of the eight women, she was the only one who truly mattered to him.

Still, I said nothing and quietly walked toward the guest room.

That night, I woke from a nightmare and felt thirsty. I went to the bar for some water. But as I passed the balcony, I heard Robert talking on the phone. His voice carried a low, mocking laugh.

“I can’t really help it. Gloria got kicked down the stairs and cried so hard. It really pissed me off, so I had to help her vent her anger. After thinking about it, I decided that prison would be the best place for Amelia. That fiery temper of hers needed to be tamed.”

“Besides, if I hadn’t locked her up for three years, how could I have spoiled Gloria as much as I wanted? Now I’ve had my fun, Amelia’s out. After Gloria gives birth, I’ll send her away and finally live a good life with Amelia.”

“But Amelia’s changed a lot now. It was worth the money I spent bribing those old men inside to teach her some manners … ”

My fingers tightened around my phone until it cracked from the pressure. Before Robert found out, I had already gone back to my room. I leaned against the door with my straight back. After a long while, I lit a cigarette.

In the mirror across from me, smoke covered my bloodshot eyes. The reflection reminded me of my first year in prison. My hair was torn, my skin broken from the belt’s lashes, cigarette burns were still fresh, the sharp pain of iron rods pierced me and the metallic scent of blood that never faded.

So, all of the pain and humiliation had been planned by Robert.

While I was being tortured, he was enjoying himself with another woman. Not long after that, my phone rang. It was one of my subordinates.

“Amelia, everything’s almost ready. Should we-”

“Let them enjoy their happiness for a few more days,” I said softly.

“It’ll hurt more when everything’s gone.”

For three years, Robert had never visited me once. He had no idea that all those he had bribed, inside and outside, had died mysteriously, starting from the next year. Robert thought he had created a gentle woman. But what came out was a demon.

Late at night, I felt someone slip into my bed. The familiar smell of tobacco filled the air.

“Amelia, you’ve lost so much weight,” Robert whispered.

“I’ve wronged you these past three years. I really missed you … ”

I caught his hand and said calmly, “If you missed me, then why did you send me away and never come to see me?”

Robert sighed, lowering his gaze.

“We grew up together in the orphanage and fought our way up to this point. How could I bear to leave you? But you’re too stubborn, Amelia. That temper of yours isn’t good for you. Besides, you did hurt someone. Maybe some time inside helped you calm down.”

“I was afraid I’d soften if I saw you. Gloria’s leg was crippled because of you. She needed someone to care for her. I had to make up for your mistake … ”

“It’s all in the past now,” he said gently.

“From now on, I’ll treat you well.”

Three years of pain, no sunlight and endless abuse … yet he spoke of it as if it were nothing. His lips brushed my cheek lightly before a knock came at the door. The maid quickly informed Robert, “Mr. Fuentes, Miss Bello said her stomach hurts. Could you come check on her?”

“I’ll be right there, Amelia. I’ll come back soon.”

The tenderness in his tone disappeared instantly. He left in a hurry and didn’t return. I went to the bathroom and scrubbed every place he had touched, over and over, until my skin burned and the nausea finally faded.

The next morning, Robert asked me to dress up nicely.

“Gloria is trying to be thoughtful. To celebrate your return, she organized a special welcome party for you. So, don’t let her down, Amelia,” Robert said with a smile.

I was curious about what Gloria was planning, so I agreed to attend.

The party was grand. Besides the company’s employees, many of Robert’s business partners were present.

In the past three years, Robert had done well for himself. He had established connections with influential individuals from various industries. Many of them owed him favors. In return, they helped his company grow quickly.

But the moment I stepped into the party hall, two buckets of raw yolks were poured over me.

“What are you doing?!” Robert shouted angrily, glaring at the waiter.

Gloria quickly stepped forward, looking frightened.

“Robert, please don’t be mad. Amelia just came out of prison yesterday. I heard that raw yolks can wash away bad luck. That place isn’t clean … I had a stomachache last night, so I was afraid it might be because of that.”

“I only did this for her sake,” she continued softly.

“Even if people don’t say it out loud, they might still feel uncomfortable. Doing this can help remove bad energy. But don’t worry, I already prepared a new dress for Amelia. It’s a special gift I bought for her.”

After hearing that, Robert’s anger faded.

“Then I’ll take Amelia to change first.”

Gloria held his hand gently.

“Robert, your business partners are here today. If we don’t greet them first, they’ll think we’re being rude.”

He thought for a moment and nodded approvingly.

“Gloria, you’re so considerate.”

Then he turned to me. “Amelia, go change on your own. I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

When I arrived, I had been wearing a long-sleeved suit and trousers. But the dress Gloria prepared for me was an evening gown. It was tight, low-cut and far too revealing. The moment I stepped back into the hall wearing it, I finally understood her real intention.

As soon as everyone’s eyes landed on me, they gasped at the sight of my scarred skin.

“Oh my god, is that even a human body? That’s disgusting—I’m going to throw up.”

“She just got out of prison, right? I heard she caused trouble in there and got punished. They say she can’t even have children now. Serves her right—she was the one who pushed Miss Bello down the stairs.”

“Honestly, how could someone like that be worthy of Mr. Fuentes? Miss Bello and he are a perfect pair. Even with her leg injury, she’s much more graceful. Look at Amelia—so ugly and ruined. No man could stand that.”

Gloria’s face turned red as if she was embarrassed, but she said gently, “Please don’t say that about her. She already admitted her mistakes. Everyone deserves a second chance.”

“Besides, how can I compare to Amelia? Robert even bought her a beautiful diamond necklace. What am I compared to her…”

She really knew how to make herself look kind and lovable. One of Robert’s business partners, meeting me for the first time, looked at Gloria, then turned to me with clear disgust.

“Mr. Fuentes, did I hear that right? That hideous ex-convict is your fiancée?”

Robert and I locked eyes. For a few seconds, he said nothing. Then he looked away.

“No, we were just childhood friends.”

It was the same as announcing our breakup to everyone. The crowd immediately burst into cheers for Robert and Gloria.

“What a perfect match! Just be together then!”

The business partners nodded approvingly.

“I told you, a man like you deserves someone elegant like Miss Bello. That diamond necklace suits her perfectly.”

And with that, Robert fastened the necklace around Gloria’s neck as my heart broke even further.

“Ah, Robert, isn’t this a bad idea? That necklace was meant for Amelia,” Gloria said.

“It’s fine,” Robert replied calmly.

“They’re right. Gloria, it fits you better. I chose the wrong gift for Amelia anyway. I’ll give it to you as a reward.”

Rewarding her like that helped him save face.

One of the business partners looked at me with clear disgust.

“Why is this ugly woman still here? Mr. Fuentes, if she stays, I’m afraid I’ll lose my appetite for discussing business with you.”

Robert walked over to me and said quietly, “Amelia, please go home first. I’m sorry, but I have to close this deal today. I’ll explain everything to everyone later, alright?”

Before turning away, he hesitated, but he still continued, “From now on … it’s better if you don’t wear clothes that show your arms or neckline.”

I saw the faint look of disgust in his eyes. It was almost funny to me. Didn’t he realize that every scar on my body was his doing?

That night, I woke up to the sound of someone kicking my door. Robert burst in, furious. He dragged me out of bed.

“Just because I didn’t acknowledge you today and gave Gloria that necklace, you had to hurt her like this?!”

Before I could respond, he pulled me straight to Gloria’s room. Under the torn quilt, dozens of leeches writhed and twisted. Their sticky bodies were glistening in the dim light.

“Amelia … ”

Gloria whimpered, “I never meant to steal your necklace or your place. It was Robert’s decision, not mine. I couldn’t explain it. But how could you do something so cruel, stuffing blood-sucking leeches into my blanket?”

She touched her belly and sobbed.

“I’m pregnant with Robert’s child. Luckily, I found them in time… I’ll return the necklace to you, but please just let me go.”

I looked straight at Robert.

“I didn’t do this. If you don’t believe me, check the cameras.”

But he didn’t even hesitate to not trust me.

“There’s no need. I know your vengeful nature too well. I thought prison had changed you, but you’ve only gotten worse. You should’ve stayed there a few more years!”

He glared at me coldly as he threatened me, “No matter what, I’ll teach you a lesson tonight. You’ll never dare touch Gloria again.”

Half an hour later, Robert’s men came in, covering their noses as they carried a large barrel half their height. The tub was full of leeches, writhing in dark water.

“Dump them into the bathtub,” Robert ordered.

“Then push Amelia in.”

I looked up at him sharply as I told him, “Robert, you’ll regret this.”

“If I don’t teach you a lesson, I’ll be the one who regrets it!” he shouted.

They forced me into the tub.

Hundreds of leeches clung to my skin, wriggling wildly as they sucked my blood. Within seconds, the water turned deep red. My body went numb. After that, everything went dark.

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying on the living room’s sofa. I was being hooked up to a blood transfusion. I had almost forgotten that both Robert and I shared the same blood type.

He stood beside me for a long time before sighing, asking me, “Why are you always so stubborn? If you’d just admit your mistakes and stop fighting me, I wouldn’t have to treat you this way.”

A slap first and then a gentle pat … was this his idea of love?

I pulled the needle from my arm and staggered upstairs. Behind me, Robert’s voice rang out, full of forced calm, “Amelia, let this be a lesson. Don’t make me do it again!”

At the stairwell, I ran into Gloria carrying a bowl of porridge.

“Oh, Amelia, you’re awake,” she said sweetly.

“I made this blood-replenishing porridge for you. Drink it while it’s still warm.”

I glared at her coldly.

“You staged the whole thing yourself, didn’t you? Is this how mistresses climb their way up?”

At that, Gloria dropped her act and smirked.

“I didn’t expect you to survive,” she said softly.

“But so what? In love, the one who isn’t loved is always the mistress.”