Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"I'm getting married." After Allen made his announcement, the woman sitting on his knee let out a high-pitched squeak in response.

"I understand." His declaration was met with a reply from Naomi in her monotone voice. Yet, if he does end up getting married, what will become of her? Will they end their marriage? That is a good thing, isn't it? She will finally be free.

"We are unable to finalise our divorce at this critical juncture, which is unfortunate. You are still very much required at this place." Allen continued. He remained talking despite staring at Naomi's lowered self the entire time.

"I see."

"We got married because of the prestige and honour you have, and although I am still making use of it for the time being, I can't let the love of my life stay waiting for me forever. It is inevitable that she will become worn down, and I do not want to risk losing her." Allen said to her.

"Why is he telling me all of these things?" Naomi thought. She knew that he didn't love her.

"Honey, I will never get sick of looking forward to marrying you. We would have been married three years ago if it hadn't been for this poor girl." The realisation dawned on Naomi at that very moment. This is the woman to whom Allen was meant to get married three years ago; nevertheless, circumstances forced Allen's hand and he ended up marrying Naomi instead.

In reaction to what the other woman, Serena, had just said, Allen remained silent and did not speak a single word. He did nothing but look at Naomi while she was still kneeling.

"I don't understand why you're dressing like that." Allen said quickly to Naomi, who moved around a little bit. Her knees were weak, and she still felt terribly dizzy despite getting some rest.

"I didn't have time to change out of these clothes. I am sorry if I offended you in any way." Naomi whispered the words. Her mouth was making a mild coughing sound.

"Is that... Blood?" Serena heaved a breath and covered her lips with her hand.

It was possible that Serena's remarks acted as a trigger, because as soon as she said that, it set off another round of coughing for Naomi. This one is considerably bloodier than the one before it.

"You need to go to your room. Do not allow your filthy blood to leave a stain on the carpet or scare our guest." Delani, Allen's mother, beckoned Naomi to leave.

She showed no sign of concern at all, and neither she nor Allen appeared concerned about the situation. He did nothing but squeeze his arms tighter around Serena's waist while maintaining his fixation on Naomi.

"Then... I'm going to leave right now." Naomi gently stood up so she wouldn't feel too lightheaded when she started moving about. But, Allen did not let her leave.

"Have I granted you permission to leave?"

Naomi drew a hesitant breath before kneeling back on the ground, however, the other servants held her by her arms.

"Stand her up. She moves much too slowly." Allen grunted. Naomi's hands were held by the closest servants as they followed his command and pulled her forward. It was the second time that she had fallen, and this time both of her palms were scraped.

"Get on your feet and undress."

What?" Naomi murmured. She was staring at Allen with wide eyes and shaking her head in bewilderment. Was his use of her behind closed doors insufficient for him? Also, he intends to bring shame upon her in public, doesn't he?

"Don't you understand me? I said strip, do not let me repeat myself, Naomi. You will not like the outcome of that." Allen made his assertions once more and his voice was louder and fiercer but compared to the derision and disgust he normally uses to speak with Naomi, this was just the tip of the iceberg.

Naomi turned her head slightly, she could see the pity and fear that was in Serena's eyes.

Her eyelids fluttered, and the tears that she had not yet shed gathered at the outer corners of her eyes.

But despite everything that she had been through throughout the course of her life, this was nothing in comparison.

As her dress continued to slide down her injured shoulders, Naomi pulled the straps off her garment. On her back were visible burn burns in addition to purple bruises, some of which had not yet healed. Also visible were nail marks that had not yet healed.

Serena's body was shaking.

"Have I not previously requested that you get those injuries treated? Why did you not obey my words?" Allen lifted Serena from his lap and onto the chair.

He paid no attention to the fact that she was shaking.

"I truly apologise. But the wounds are so severe and will require a significant amount of time to heal…”

Slap!

The sitting area was filled with the reverberation of a clear sound. As a result of the intensity of the slap, blood started to drip from Naomi's mouth. She stifled the need to speak.

"Take heed, Naomi; this is a warning. Please pardon us, Serena. I have to talk with her. There is something for both of us to do." Allen grabbed Naomi roughly by the arms, and then, without giving her any prior warning, he hauled her out of the sitting room.

After a moment of struggling to get to her feet, Serena finally exited the mansion without once turning around to look back. The callousness that Allen displayed frightened her. Seeing this kind of thing done to her fellow woman was sickening. All she was told was that he disliked his wife and they would soon divorce. That is why she had the boldness to come, but what is this that is happening?

Naomi was already exposed to the world when Allen took her into his room and forced her to sit on his bed.

"Naomi, are you trying to frighten Serena? Why do you still have those bruises on your back?”