"You’re awake?"

Xavier Thorne’s eyes were bloodshot, and a thin layer of stubble had grown on his jaw as if he had been keeping watch for a long time. In the past, if she were sick—even with a minor cold—he would stay by her side without leaving for a second.

"You are the pearl I begged for," he used to say. "I must hold you, watch over you, and protect you at every moment."

But after Rosalind Vane arrived, he had cruelly failed to visit her even once, leaving her to be wasted away by Rosalind’s whims. Now, seeing him act this way only made her feel a sense of mockery.

He checked her temperature and let out a sigh of relief.

"The fever is finally gone. You’re weak because of your cycle and you've been asleep for days. I'll call Dr. Sterling back for another check."

Her throat burned, and she couldn't utter a single word. Her limbs felt like they were falling apart, unable to move an inch.

Just like before, he tucked the corners of the quilt around her.

"I’ve explained things to Rosalind. You don’t have to study the rules for the next few days. Just rest."

Dr. Sterling arrived, checked her wounds, gave a few instructions, and prepared to leave, but Rosalind intercepted him. Her eyes were as sharp as blades, and her tone carried an indisputable authority.

"Mr. Thorne, it is the mistress’s duty to provide for the family lineage. But if the mistress secretly tortures herself to cause a miscarriage, should she be punished?"

"A miscarriage?"

Both Xavier and June were stunned.

Dr. Sterling immediately defended himself. "The mistress said she didn't want the child and asked me not to tell Mr. Thorne. I thought this was her intention, so I didn't mention it."

"That’s not true!" June struggled to sit up in bed.

They had done charity work to earn merit and prayed together for a child for years. Having a baby was a long-held dream for both her and Xavier. How could she possibly induce a miscarriage on purpose? Besides, Dr. Sterling had never told her she was pregnant during her routine monthly check-ups.

Sensing their doubt, Rosalind calmly brought a mass of bloody tissue before them.

"Mr. Thorne, I can understand that the mistress is young and wants to play, unwilling to bear the pain of childbirth. but hurting a small life is unforgivable. We all know that a simple punishment of kneeling wouldn't cause such a loss of vitality—unless the mistress designed it intentionally."

June froze in place.

The blood clots she had felt passing while she was half-conscious these past few days... were actually her child!

Seeing June’s pale face, Xavier immediately assumed it was guilt. In an instant, the veins on his forehead bulged. He clenched his white knuckles and suddenly kicked over the coffee table.

"Are you satisfied now?"

She had never seen him look so cold and menacing. Even if she didn't want to explain herself to him, she refused to be framed as a mother who murdered her own child.

"I didn't know I was pregnant. I would never do such a thing on purpose, Xavier..."

Her remaining words were cut off as Xavier’s hand tightened around her throat, inch by inch.

"I was worried about your health and only made you kneel as punishment. June Rivers, you used our child to get back at me. How cruel can you be!"

The air in her lungs grew thin; she truly felt she was about to be strangled to death the next second. Seeing June’s state, a flicker of hesitation appeared in his eyes. He wavered for a moment before letting go.

June grabbed onto the edge of the bed like a lifeline, gasping for air violently. But the sound of shattering trust echoed silently throughout the room.

"Rosalind, how should a woman like this be punished?"

"One's body belongs to one's parents. Since she does not love her child, she does not deserve to enjoy the love of a parent. I heard June’s father is buried here. Scattering his ashes would allow her to profoundly feel the pain of loss, ensuring she never errs again."

She had just endured the loss of her child, and now they were going to desecrate her father’s ashes!

"You can't! Xavier, you promised me. You said you would let my only family stay with me."

She couldn't stop shaking. Tears burst from her eyes, soaking her clothes. "I beg of you, I know I was wrong. I’ll never do it again. Please, I beg you, don't touch my father’s ashes!"

She was incoherent with sobs, kneeling on the floor and pleading over and over. But the man on the sofa remained unmoved. He used the toe of his shoe to lift her chin and said coldly, "Rosalind makes a fair point. I want you to remember this lesson. Remember how to fulfill your duty as a wife."

"No!"

The winter rain was damp and freezing. June dragged her unrecovered body outside to block them, desperately protecting her father’s ashes until her fingernails broke, yet she was ruthlessly dragged away again and again.

She watched helplessly as Rosalind mixed her father’s ashes into dog food, which was then devoured by stray dogs until nothing was left.

"Father! Father..."

She tried to gather what she could, but there was only a puddle of mud.

A crack of thunder flashed across the sky, echoing her cry of utter despair.

"I loved the wrong man. Father... my child... I will have my revenge for both of you..."

Chapter 5

After that day, June became obedient and submissive.

After breakfast, Xavier was in a pleasant mood. He looked at the transformed June with delight and promptly gave an expensive pair of emerald earrings to Rosalind.

"You’ve taught her well. June has made great progress lately. I believe she will earn my mother’s approval at the birthday banquet."

The sight of those earrings burned into June’s heart. Back during their wedding, June had set her heart on that pair. Unfortunately, no matter how high a price they offered, the seller refused to let them go, making it a lasting regret of their ceremony.

But now that he had obtained the earrings, the first thing he did was give them to Rosalind as a gift, long forgetting the void that needed filling.

A flash of joy appeared in Rosalind’s eyes, though she remained dignified as she accepted the gift with both hands.

"Mr. Thorne, I am only doing my duty."

Xavier felt a sudden whim and rubbed June’s palm. "You must be bored staying at home. I’ll take you out for a walk. Go change your clothes."

When she finished changing, his gaze was locked on her, a hint of awe in his eyes.

"June, you never liked wearing the cheongsam before, but you look truly beautiful in it."

He only remembered that she didn't like wearing it, but he had long forgotten why—she hated the feeling of being restricted and bound. Years ago, he had considered her feelings in every way, but now, he had forgotten everything...

At the restaurant, June’s graceful manner earned unanimous praise from Xavier’s friends.

"It’s quite good. Though there’s still a distance between her and Sister Rosalind. After all, Rosalind comes from a century-old noble house and is a perfect match for Xavier."

"Sister Rosalind usually wears her traditional modest gowns when we meet, but you look quite charming in that cheongsam too. Xavier is truly lucky to have both of you!"

A century-old noble house? Modest gowns? Sister?

So the reason Xavier never took her to meet his friends was because he was ashamed of her. Yet he had taken Rosalind to meet them under the guise of being the mistress of the Thorne house.

All those excuses about her not being used to these occasions or him needing to shield her from the drinking... they were all lies. In his bones, he had never respected her.

But now, in what capacity was she even standing here?

The drunken crowd laughed and beckoned to her. "The beauty Xavier just picked up—come and pour us some wine."

When June didn't move, several men began to jeer and pull at her, intentionally brushing against her body. Nauseated, she swung her hand and slapped the man who touched her.

The man, unable to contain his anger, slapped her back twice. "Aren't you just a high-class whore? You dare hit me!"

"How much does Xavier pay to keep a bird like you? I’ll pay double. Now give me a nice smile!"

"Get lost! Don't touch me!"

Two bright red palm prints appeared on her pale face, swelling painfully. Xavier, who had just returned, didn't give her a single glance. He only cared about his friend’s accusations.

"Xavier, where did you find such an ill-mannered woman? She can't even pour wine! She ruined the mood today!"

The corner of her mouth was split, and dark red blood trickled down. He didn't see any of it. He only rubbed his temples and questioned her impatiently, "I finally bring you out, and this is how you embarrass me?"