---- Chapter 5 "] don't care what happens to me, but the child is innocent. Irene, how could you be so heartless?" Simon gently lifted Carly to her feet, then spun around with a fierce glare aimed right at me. Without warning, he slammed his boot hard into my chest. "You've disappointed me." Thit the floor with a loud thud, pain shooting through me as I forced my eyes open. The video playing was a cruel montage-edited and manipulated audio stitched together to make it look like I was plotting against Carly. But Simon seemed to be blind to the truth. The way I usually spoke and acted was nothing like the cold, calculated woman in the video. Icurled up on the floor, trembling beside his feet. "simon, that's not me... The video..." Before I could finish, Carly staggered and ---- collapsed into Simon's arms. From the corner of my eye, I caught her flashing mea mocking, provocative look, right where Simon's gaze couldn't reach. Without hesitation, Simon scooped her up and strode away without a second glance. He left me with a cutting warning. "You're supposed to be Mrs. Barker, but you're so jealous and shameless, and Carly's suffered because of you. You'd better grovel in the yard all night as an apology to her." My heart shattered, my mind growing foggy. Weakly, I reached out for him. "Please... don't do this..." It was freezing outside, and staying out here all night might kill me. But the bodyguards wouldn't let me move. Not even a little. ---- Simon gave me a cold, pitying glance, his tone softening just a bit. ''You have to pay for your mistakes. But you're still my wife, and even though Carly's moved in, I'll still treat you well. "She's upset right now. Just do as I say, at least until she calms down." I swallowed hard as I watched my hand being kicked aside like a piece of trash. The cold seeped into my bones. I couldn't hold on any longer and passed out, blood slowly pooling beneath me. When I opened my eyes again, my grandmother's worried face was the first thing I saw. Tears of relief spilled down her cheeks as she hurried to my side with medicine. "Thank God, you're awake." I stared at her, overwhelmed, tears streaming