Chapter 3 Secret Defiance

She held up the phone, waving the lock screen in front of me and sneering. "Challenging me with this attempt, huh? Did you think I'd believe it's Grady?"

"Give the phone back," I demanded, reaching out to reclaim my phone.

The women gathered around her to openly mock the display image.

"It's edited. There's no way Mr. Winters would allow her to do such a thing. It's hilarious!"

"She must be delusional. Even in a dream, that's a stretch!"

Although Melissa had a faint smile, there was something sinister in her gaze. "Grady and I grew up together. We have so many photos, which is why your fake one's disgusting me."

She threw my phone to the ground, causing cracks to spiderweb across the screen. In one quick motion, I reached out to protect it, knowing I'd be safe as long as I could call someone.

Melissa's heel came into view as it pressed my hand down over the phone—all because I could unlock the screen. Tears swam in the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let go.

As they rained bruises on the back of my hand, I became numb from the pain. Seeing my stubborn grip, one of the women behind Melissa kicked my shoulder, sending me reeling, and all I could do was shield my stomach as I felt.

They stomped on my phone until the screen went black, and then kicked it down the gap between the stairs. Melissa stared at me, not quite done. Her lips curved into a cruel smile, as she asked with mock innocence. "Oh, so you like fake photos. Do you need my help? I bet you have a figure to die for since you love photos. Mind if we have a peek?"

She covered her mouth with a laugh, but her actions were blatantly malicious. I’d chosen a loose dress today to keep the baby comfortable, but it made things much easier for her now. She lifted her phone to record as she called another woman over, who began tugging at the hem and straps of my dress. I couldn’t escape the hands roaming over me.

With no way to call for help, the humiliation was unbearable, and the urge to fight back overwhelmed me. Summoning my strength, I slapped her phone from Melissa's hand. Without hesitation, I sank my jaws into the arm she’d used to grab my clothes.

She shrieked in pain, violently flinging me away. A streak of bright red was left on her arm. Her anger was past the point of being concealed, and she promptly ordered the stairwell door closed.

'She's a fucking maniac.'

Without much thought, I forced myself to my feet and rushed toward the door. It had been locked just after it closed. Even if I pounded on it desperately, I found myself pleading, 'Please save me. Is there anyone?'

There was no response because it was their lunch break.

Melissa yanked me back by my hair, slamming me down onto the ground again. I knelt, gasping in pain. In the scuffle, my collar had loosened. She stared at my neck for a long moment, reached out, seized my pendant, and yanked it off—all while squeezing my throat with her other hand.

My head throbbed as I coughed, raw and stinging. Barely able to catch my breath, she took my dazed state as a fresh excuse, bringing her hand across my face in a brutal slap. I couldn’t dodge in time, causing me to curl up on the floor.

"Well, look at that! Who would’ve thought Grady had such a thief here?" She sneered.

"No, that's my ring! Return it to me!" Even though there was blood on my lips, I lunged for the ring. It was a simple band that Grady had made for me on our first date, after which it was set with a few tiny diamonds. Since it was our first time making anything, we went with matching yet minimalist designs.

I cherished it. Worried it might get worn out in daily life, I kept it safe as a necklace, tucked close to my heart, where our love stayed safe.

"Oh, still want to lie your way out? There are plenty of people here who saw that ring on Mr. Winters' hand." She sneered.

"That's our wedding ring! I am Grady's wife."