Chapter 3
Just as I booked my ticket, my phone lit up.
It was Ian.
His voice on the other end was laced with panic. “Babe, where are you? I can’t find you anywhere…”
“I’m still at the hospital,” I said quietly. “Stepped out for some air. I can see you now.”
The moment I got into the car, lan pulled me tightly into his arms.
“Aurora, please don’t scare me like that again, okay? Please…”
I forced back my tears and nodded.
Ian had Kurt drive us home. The moment we passed through the gates, I spotted Ian’s mother Wren Elliott arranging flowers in the garden with Veronica dutifully assisting her.
“Aurora,” Ian said sweetly, “Mom was so worried when she heard what happened–she insisted on coming over. You know Veronica studied psychology? I asked her to talk to you a bit, help you process everything.”
If my mother–in–law had to name the person she hated most in the world, it would undoubtedly be me. There was no way she’d come out of genuine concern.
Sure enough, the second I stepped out of the car, Wren glided over with Veronica on her arm, looking at me with pure disgust.
“How dare you show your face here after being defiled by another man? You should have died out there and made room for our Veronica!”
Ian put his arm around me protectively.
“Mom, you’re always so harsh. I know you care about Aurora, can’t you say something nice for
once?”
Wren flicked her sleeves in contempt.
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11…hand Branded Me with Shame
Chapter 3
“Care about her? In her next life maybe. I’m only here to ask when the divorce is happening. I just want Veronica to be my daughter–in–law.”
With that, she physically pushed Veronica toward Ian, admiring them like a masterpiece.
“Look how perfect they are together!”
Veronica was already pressed against Ian’s chest.
“Mom, come on. Veronica is married,” Ian protested weakly, though his body unconsciously leaned toward Veronica.
Veronica just giggled without saying a word.
Watching the three of them looking so cozy together, I couldn’t stand it anymore.
“Ian, I’m tired. You should stay and spend some time with your mom and Veronica.”
Ian was clearly already lost in Veronica’s charms. He barely acknowledged me with a grunt of
agreement.
Later, from my bedroom balcony, I saw Veronica had linked her arm through Ian’s. Wren’s shrill voice carried up to me.
“Ian, hurry up and get that woman out of this house! Just looking at her makes me sick. Veronica’s fiancé is a nobody anyway. You two should get married as soon as possible!”
Hearing his mother’s words, Ian gazed at Veronica with such longing. But Veronica’s averted eyes filled Ian’s face with unmistakable pain.
I couldn’t bear to watch anymore. I crawled into bed and curled under the covers.
By the time I woke up, darkness had fallen. Through my foggy consciousness, I heard Ian’s voice outside my door.
“Veronica, you know how happy I was when Mom pushed you toward me today? I’ve dreamed of that moment countless times. I’ve always gotten everything I wanted in this life. Everything… except you.”
Ian’s voice cracked with emotion. I’d never heard him so vulnerable.
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Chapter 3
I quietly slipped out of bed and cracked open the door. Veronica had Ian in her arms, gently stroking
his back.
“Ian… I’ve had my own battles, too. But I just never imagined you’d sacrifice so much for me. I’m sorry, Ian, you’ve suffered because of me…”
Before she could finish, Ian kissed her with desperate intensity.
Veronica froze for half a second. Then tipped her head back and kissed him back.
After a tangle of bodies and gasps, Ian whispered, ““It’s not a sacrifice, Veronica. If you’re happy, it’s
all worth it…”
Before he could finish, Veronica tore open his shirt and kissed him feverishly.
I couldn’t bare anymore and closed the door.
Minutes later, I heard the guest room door creak open, followed by the unmistakable sounds of their lovemaking.
My stomach churned violently.A fire exploded in my chest. I couldn’t breathe.
I stumbled toward the wall and slammed my forehead against it.
After the momentary dizziness passed, the feeling subsided slightly. I turned to look at my disheveled reflection in the mirror and broke down sobbing.
on in the
I sat there in a daze until dawn. Ian never returned. The sounds of pleasure from the guest room continued all night.
As daylight began to break, my bedroom door opened.
It wasn’t Ian.
It was Veronica.
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