Chapter 3 Hannah was curled up in the corner, three days of terror leaving her broken beyond recognition. Her arms were cov- ered in bloody scratches, and the walls around her were smeared with the prints of her bloodied hands. It was a horrifying sight. Spencer's eyes flickered in shock. When his gaze fell on Hannah's ravaged arms, a surge of fury burned within him. "Hannah, did you do this on purpose? It was only three days. You had food and water. No one mistreated you. "Yet you tore yourself apart like this. Are you trying to gain my pity? Don't even dream about it." For him, it had been three days, but for her, it felt like a lifetime. When she looked at him again, fear had already clouded her eyes. She instinctively whispered an apology, "I'm sor- ry... It's all my fault. Please don't lock me up again." Her words made his jaw tighten. He clenched his fists. "Enough, Hannah! I told you to reflect, not to act pathetic. Do you really think seeing you like this would soften me?" He grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his cold stare. "The moment you tried to scheme against me, you lost the right to expect mercy." Without a care for her bleeding arms, he motioned for the guards to drag her out. "Stop with the pity tricks. You gave birth, so what? Don't think that gives you leverage over me. The woman I love is Bethany. My wife will only ever be Bethany." His words cut like a blade. "As for you, since you carried a child for me, I'll provide for you as long as you stay obe- dient. But that's it. Don't expect more." Hearing those words, Hannah finally understood that it was a brutal warning meant to cut deep. Spencer feared she might use the child to manipulate him, so he chose this method to remind her of her place. The thought made her let out a bitter laugh. "Don't worry. What you're afraid of will never happen." Because her child was already gone. Her calm compliance surprised him. Suspicion flickered in his eyes as he studied her face, but soon his attention shift- ed to a new message on his phone. By the time the doctor finished tending to her wounds, Spencer had already pulled her out without a word and driven her straight to a bridal boutique. Stunned, Hannah could hardly react before he spoke in a cold, detached voice. "Don't fool yourself. My wedding with Bethany is already set. She just gave birth and can't overexert herself. Since you're about her size, you'll try on the gowns for her." Hannah's heart sank. So, that was the reason. Knowing she had no room to refuse, she quietly accepted the gown and stepped into the fitting room. 0.0% 09:16 The walls were thin, and she could hear the staff whispering outside. "Ms. Kaur really has it rough. Not only cast aside by Mr. Ruiz, but now she has to try on wedding dresses for another woman. If I were her, I would die of shame." "You don't get it. The other day, when Mr. Ruiz brought Ms. Henderson here, I heard it myself-he said he never loved Ms. Kaur at all. She was the one who shamelessly threw herself at him, and that only angered him. Look at the mess she's in now." Their cutting words made Hannah's hands shake as she pulled at the zipper. So, in his heart, he had never loved her. All those sweet memories she clung to were nothing but her own shameless illusions. Tears blurred her vision until she could barely stand. Still, the gossip outside continued, "Just look at the way she latches onto men. She's probably from some seedy night- club. God knows how many men have had her. Otherwise, how else could she be clever enough to cling to Mr. Ruiz?" Hannah didn't respond. She simply opened the fitting room door. The room instantly fell silent. No one dared say another word. Only one woman sneered, raising her voice deliberate- ly. "I didn't say anything wrong. People should know their place. She should remember what she is and stop coveting what doesn't belong to her." With that, she shoved Hannah hard. Already weak, Hannah staggered, her head slamming into a cabinet. Dizziness washed over her, and just as she was about to collapse, Spencer caught her by the arm. "Why did you take this long just to change clothes? What are you dragging your feet for?" As soon as the words left her lips, he froze. His gaze fell on her, and for an instant, a flicker of awe flashed in his eyes before he forced it down. He shoved her away coldly, his gaze falling on her fragile, thin arms. His brows knitted. "Why are you so skinny? I remember you weren't like this before." Hannah lowered her head, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. The "before" he spoke of was over a year ago. Since then, she had carried a pregnancy, gone through childbirth, and then watched her baby die before her eyes. It had already left her frail and wasted away. Spencer tilted her chin up, his tone mocking. "Don't play the pitiful victim. The Ruiz family hasn't treated you badly. There are six more gowns. Keep changing." Hannah said nothing. She had long since stopped hoping for any trace of kindness from him. Her mind drifted back to three years ago, when their love was at its peak, and they had come to this very same bou- tique. Back then, he had held her hand, eyes full of warmth, and promised, "I'll make sure you wear the most beautiful gown in the world, and be the most beautiful bride." But that day, one call from Bethany had ruined everything, and Hannah never got to try on a single dress. Now, here she was again. Only this time, she was trying on wedding gowns for Bethany, Bitterness rose in her throat. She blinked back tears and stared at her reflection in the mirror. The gown hung loose and shapeless, making her look like a pitiful clown. 44.8 % 09:16 Chapter 3 "Spencer, once I finish trying on these six gowns, we're done." The moment she said it, Spencer's head snapped toward her. 09:16 97.8 % 288 iVouchers "What did you just say?" Spencer asked.