Chapter 3 Teach Her a Lesson
The carriage was suddenly swallowed by silence. In Daniel's eyes, something dark and dangerous churned, like a whirlpool ready to pull her under.
"What did you just say? Repeat it."
Once upon a time, Scarlett had been close to him. That night changed everything. They'd been pushed into marriage, and whatever bond they'd had was gone—irretrievably.
The thought was bitter. And sad.
Scarlett held his gaze, her pale lips trembling before she forced them open. Her voice was clear, almost unnervingly so.
"I said, Daniel… I want a divorce."
Her words had barely landed when her expression twisted in shock.
Before she could move, she was bent over his lap, her backside stinging under two sharp, heavy blows. He wasn't holding back.
Scarlett froze, humiliation and fury burning in her veins.
"Let me go! Daniel, you bastard! You think you can hit me?"
Her kicking and thrashing only earned her harder strikes.
The pain dragged her back to a memory—fifteen years old, her body developing too fast. She'd bound her chest tightly for weeks, terrified that a fuller bust would ruin her dancing. When Daniel found out, the damage was already done; hard lumps had formed. The doctor scolded her, but once he left, Daniel had dragged her to the study sofa and spanked her until she was bruised.
Her chest had ached, her backside throbbed, and she'd been forced to lie on her side for days, walking stiffly while he mocked her without mercy.
Spanking might have been how he disciplined his younger sister. But Scarlett was no longer his sister.
"Scarlett, think before you speak. You really believe marriage and divorce are just games?" His voice was a low warning above her. "Where's the earring?"
Daniel's cold smile was razor-sharp. He knew how much she treasured that pair. He knew how much she clung to the title of Mrs. Wilson. And now she claimed she'd lost them—while asking for a divorce? He wasn't buying it.
"I said it's gone! Or are you too old to hear properly?"
"Fine, Scarlett… just make sure I don't find it."
He yanked her upright, twisted her arms behind her back, and suddenly pushed her down against the seat. She struggled, but the difference in strength was crushing—she couldn't move.
His hand slid over the thin chiffon of her dress, fingers tracing from her neckline downward, searching. It didn't feel like a search at all. It felt like humiliation.
Who hid an earring in a place like that?
Scarlett cried out, "It's not on me! Stop touching me—let go!"
Her defiance only made him more agitated. His fingers hooked the fabric at her collar and tore. The dress split down to her navel in an instant.
Scarlett's face went pale. She clutched her chest. "We're in public!"
He didn't stop. With two more harsh tugs, the dress was nothing but scraps.
Her vision blurred as he pulled her onto his lap, her bare back exposed to the cool air. She tried to twist away, but his grip was iron.
"You've lost your mind!"
"All this… just because I won't have a baby with you?"
Outside, cars passed. If anyone looked, they'd see her draped across him in a way that matched every cruel rumor—Scarlett, born reckless, seducing Daniel at eighteen.
Humiliation burned hot under her skin. "It's not about having a baby. I told you—the condom wasn't mine!"
The sound of his zipper lowering filled the air, magnified in her ears. She hadn't thought he'd go this far. Panic surged. She kicked, punched, fought with everything she had.
"Let me go! You're insane!"
Her foot lashed out, but he caught her ankle in a crushing grip. His voice was sharp, edged with anger. "Careful. You want to ruin your leg? Forget dancing? You said you wanted a baby—now you don't?"
Her ankle throbbed, but it was nothing compared to the ache in her chest.
After they married, he'd kept his distance, never letting her close, never agreeing to children. Now, suddenly, he'd changed his mind. Was it because of what he'd learned in Elliot's hospital room? The thought made her feel even more pathetic.
Her eyes burned. "Yes, I wanted a baby before. Not now. I'm young, Daniel. Why would I throw my life away to have a child for you? I'm not playing games—I want a divorce."
"Divorce? You lose my property, pull this stunt, and threaten me? Don't forget how you became Mrs. Wilson. You don't have the right."
He looked at her like her words were a bad joke. Not even funny.
His jaw tightened, veins standing out on his forehead. He gripped her chin, his tone a command. "Don't ever mention divorce again."
"And why not?" Scarlett's defiance was unwavering.
Headlights swept through the window, lighting her pale face and nearly bare body. She flinched, tried to turn away, but Daniel's hand stayed firm on her shoulder.
The light grew brighter. He watched her panic, her vulnerability, almost like it amused him.
Scarlett trembled, her voice breaking. "Fine! I was wrong!"
In the next breath, Daniel yanked a blanket around her, and she scrambled away. He let her go, shaking out the shredded dress, still half-expecting the earring to fall. Of course, it didn't.
Only then did he believe she'd truly lost it.
"You've outdone yourself, Scarlett. You can make trouble, but there's a limit."
That earring meant something. And she'd tossed it away over something small—then dared to talk divorce.
He straightened his clothes, left the carriage, and slammed the door before heading to the driver's seat.
Scarlett curled into herself, lips pressed tight, afraid that if she spoke she'd break into tears. He didn't love her. He didn't trust her. He'd never see the wreckage inside her.
Even now, he thought she was just making a scene.
He didn't know how much courage it had taken to let that earring go.
Her face was drained of color, her eyes empty, her heart ash.
From the rearview mirror, Daniel caught a glimpse of her. Something twisted in his chest—a flicker of unease. Once, when he was angry, she would have rushed to cling to him. Not tonight.
The silence followed them home. Jane was still at the hospital, so the villa was dark and empty. Daniel carried Scarlett upstairs, into the bathroom.
Water splashed. Scarlett lifted her head. "What are you doing?"
"Not playing dead anymore?"
He pulled the blanket away and dropped her into the tub. The water was shallow and cool. He hooked her right leg over the edge, forcing her knees apart. The position was humiliating.
She tried to pull her leg back, but his hand pressed her knee down.
"I don't waste time on fools. Warm up, then deal with your injuries. Keep your foot out of the water."
Without another word, he left.
The water slowly grew warmer. Exhaustion pulled her under.
On the balcony, Daniel loosened his tie, lit a cigarette, and exhaled smoke. His voice was low as he spoke into the phone, giving a license plate number.
"Bring me the earring."
In the hospital lobby, Scarlett was still wearing the earring. After leaving the hospital and getting into the cab, it was gone. Its whereabouts weren't hard to guess.
A drawer of torn condom wrappers filled a trash bin.
Daniel's gaze lingered, smoke curling around him. The irritation faded. Scarlett, who had just been fighting to avoid pregnancy, now wanted a divorce? Impossible.
When Scarlett emerged from the bathroom in a robe, limping, Daniel was on the bed with the phone.
"Rest. I'll come see you tomorrow."
Scarlett lowered her lashes and moved toward the sofa.
Two in the morning, and Alice still had the energy to call Daniel. Two-faced. She didn't need rest—she was fine.
Scarlett barely touched the sofa before Daniel scooped her over his shoulder. He was tall, and her startled cry was swallowed by the sudden spin before he dropped her onto the bed.
She pushed herself up, ready to curse him, when a wave of nausea hit. She leaned over and retched.
A hand patted her back. Daniel handed her a tissue.
She caught her breath, leaning against the headboard. He offered her a glass of water.
She'd barely taken a sip when he asked, "Are you pregnant?"