Chapter 4: Rightfully hers

Summer’s Point of View

In the space of a split second, he released his hold on my waist, pulled my wrist firmly, and shoved me solidly into the bed. Before I had the chance to respond, he swiftly lifted both my arms up above my head and buried his teeth in my shoulder.

His movements were so fast that I could not keep up with what was going on. It was like I was soaring through the sky, pursuing something intangible and elusive. And as soon as I comprehended what he had done to me, I rapidly elevated my foot to kick him.

“Mr. Carter, what on earth do you think you are doing?” I looked at him in surprise as I tried to kick him, yet he was quicker and locked my legs with his knee, then pushing his other knee in between my thighs, not allowing me to move.

“What am I doing, you ask?” he asked, grinning slightly before glancing down at my somewhat exposed breast. “Don’t act virgin. We both are aware of who typically insists on sex and who made the loudest moans on the first night we spent together—”

“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!”

His outrageous words had caused my face to become a deep shade of red, like a tomato. Hearing the details of our intimate moments, even though I could not recall them on my own, was a very embarrassing situation for me. I mean… what is the purpose? Doesn’t he hate me?

Surely, he should be contented with the fact that I am no longer insisting on having sexual intercourse. Who is the sensible woman who will throw away her husband's bed in order to sleep with him?

“Do you still have a shy nature? I have seen all there is to see in your body,” he said, his voice held a sarcastic quality.

“Yeah, right? And why do you have to remind your soon-to-be ex-wife of that?”

Gradually, I felt his grip on me weaken because of the words that I had stated. He seemed to come to his senses, quickly got off the bed, and fixed the towel, which was still tied around his waist. After that, he cleared his throat, and he spoke again with his intense eyes and dispassionate tone.

“Tomorrow is the birthday of Senior Carter, my grandfather. You must come.”

“And why is that?” I met his haughty stare with my own. However, I noticed his eyes lingering on my chest and I felt as if he had seen straight through my soul. Without thinking, I covered my chest and then continued to ask, “Does he know that I have amnesia?”

“No.”

“Then, why am I going? I’m sure I don’t know anyone there and maybe—”

He cut in over my question, his voice sharp. “It’s not my problem anymore.” He then turned around.

I let out a huff of frustration, then set my shoulders back. I would just spend my time sleeping instead of talking and seeing him.

I could feel my eyelids growing heavy as I gradually faded into sleep. Right before the dream fully enveloped me, I felt the bed shake beneath me as someone climbed on it. I felt my cheek being touched by a cold, firm hand as a hazy memory filled my mind with an indistinguishable word.

“Your heart remains as icy as a frozen lake. It all felt the same to you before you lost your memory.”

The next day, I asked Celine to come with me to Senior Carter’s party, feeling overwhelmed at the thought of going alone.

We arrived at the venue at 8 in the evening, and the stars above twinkled in the dark sky. After the accident, I finally noticed the details of the world around me; the smell of freshly cut grass, the sound of a distant bird chirping, and the feeling of a cool breeze.

The tall lights glowed with a gentle radiance, and the people talked as if they were showing off their wealth.

As I surveyed the area, I noticed a hush come over the crowd and suddenly I was the center of everyone’s attention, all in a matter of seconds. Their eyes revealed diverging reactions. I noticed the air was thick with hatred, anger, and unhappiness when I stepped up. All I could hear were murmurs of discontent.

I lowered my voice and closed the distance between Celine and me, then asked, “Why do they look at me like that? Did I do anything wrong?”

Celine followed my gaze, and then she shrugged, releasing a small sigh of uncertainty. “I don’t know. You rarely included me on such occasions before, but that one time you called me while you were at the party, saying you had a fight with Amby Black. I remember when you called me in a panic; you said you had slipped and fallen into the swimming pool and needed me to bring a change of clothes. Those are the only things I remember for this kind of party.”

I stared at her face, feeling my skin prickle with the realization of why I had been through so much. And before I could ask another question, she spoke again, “You are not very open about your private life with me. The only thing you always tell me is about you and Mr. Carter.”

“Then do you know the reason I fell into the pool?”

“I recall you said someone shoved you, but regretfully, no one had faith in your words.”

“What happened after that?” I desperately asked her.

“Then, it ended.”

“What about Steven? What did he do then? Did he help me?” My heart was aflame in anticipation that Steven would support me, even in the face of such a scandal.

Celine shook and said, “It’s Amby’s cousin who pushed you.”

My throat felt dry and tight, and I managed a twisted smile. “He was not just head-over-heels for the girl, but he also had a soft spot for her dog.”

In the middle of our conversation, the room suddenly hushed as two people entered, their presence drawing all eyes to them. The woman wore a high ponytail, revealing her long slender neck with a white pearl necklace. Her outfit was complete with a sleek black tube top and matching skirt. Her statuesque figure and effortless grace make her a natural model.

Beside her, the man was smartly dressed in a light gray, tailored tuxedo. As Amby and my husband walked inside, their arms were intertwined in a gentle embrace. After their grand entrance, I felt the energy in the room shift, with whispers rippling through the air.

“Mr. Carter and Miss Amby are really something! If only Summer Ramey hadn’t pulled a dirty trick, they’d definitely be married by now!”

I looked where the voice came from and saw two women who also looked at me. When the other girl heard what her friend said, she bumped her arm and then looked up to see me staring. As a result, they both scurried away.

But what I thought was the end of their gossip at me was added by another guest,” Why are they scared? A karma had descended upon her family, signaling the end of their good days. Her princess-like life is over. Yes, she was married to Steven Carter, but that was about it. She has nothing to brag about now, so who else is she to act arrogant until now?”

“I agree! I remembered that she always caused trouble whenever she attended a party. She consistently humiliates those in her presence and cannot recognize her own inappropriate behavior.”

As I stood there, my body felt as if it had frozen like a block of ice and I desperately wanted to go home. Nonetheless, Celine comfort me with her words of reassurance, “ignore what they are saying. It is obvious that those people are envious of you because they know they could never be in the same situation as you are right now.”

I was on the verge of nodding and regaining my composure, but the loud voice that shouted my name caused me to become even more uneasy. “Summer Ramey! Is there really no shame left in your body? If only Amby Black hadn’t gone elsewhere for treatment, do you think you would be married to Steven Carter?! Remember that if something is taken without permission, it will stay taken and will no longer be yours.”

I looked around, and everyone was already cheering.

“After a long absence, she has returned to take possession of what is rightfully hers. To err on the side of caution, it is much wiser to stay away rather than risk the chance of being taken away as trash.”