Chapter 4

Goosebumps prickled down my skin the second I heard the voice. I glanced up, meeting James's cold, furious stare. But he didn't move. Instead, it was my male colleagues who stepped in, rushing to defuse the situation. Meanwhile, James just lifted his glass, a smug, detached smile on his lips.

"No wonder I couldn't find you that night," he drawled, his words sharp and mocking. "Looks like you were busy with your 'business.'"

I froze, my heart racing. My face flamed with a mix of rage and humiliation. I shot to my feet, ready to walk out, but Lindsay sprang up from her seat, blocking my path.

"It's all my fault," she said, voice dripping with fake sweetness. "I shouldn't have picked this place. I'm so sorry! This was supposed to clear up misunderstandings, but I've just made it worse. I'll punish myself. I'll drink."

Before I could react, she snatched a bottle off the table and chugged it down. The diamond on her finger sparkled, gleaming in the dim light like a blade. Finally, James moved, pushing through the crowd with irritation flashing in his eyes.

"Lindsay already apologized," he said, his tone cold. "What more do you want? Just let it go and stop making a scene."

I couldn't hold back the bitter laugh that escaped my lips.

"Oh, so she apologizes, and I'm supposed to just forget everything? Is that how it works now?"

James's patience snapped, his brows furrowing as he shot back.

"She drank an entire bottle for you, and you're still going on about this? There's a limit, you know!"

He shoved a bottle into my hand, forcing it toward me. The message was clear. My blood boiled, but I kept my voice steady, freezing him with a glare.

"I'm not drinking. I have somewhere else to be. I'm leaving."

Before I could move, James grabbed me by the neck, his grip unrelenting.

"Shannon, have I been too nice to you? Lindsay drank for you, and now you're just going to walk out?"

He yanked me toward him, slamming me into his chest. He ripped the bottle open and shoved it to my lips. Liquor spilled over, soaking my chin, my clothes, as I gagged, choking on it, my stomach twisting in agony.

He threw the empty bottle aside like it meant nothing.

"Don't be ungrateful!"

Tears blurred my vision, not from sorrow, but from the pain in my throat, the pressure in my chest. His voice was a cold sneer, slicing through the chaos around us.

"Apologize to Lindsay, or we're getting a divorce. I'm done with this!"

Everyone was watching, waiting for me to explode, to finally lose it. But I didn't. I steadied myself, even though my cheeks burned with shame. I nodded, my tone clipped.

"Fine. Let's get divorced."

I turned, taking two steps toward the door, but Lindsay grabbed my arm, panic in her voice.

"Don't be rash! Divorce isn't a small thing! You can't do this because of me, "

"Get lost!" I snapped, yanking my arm free, sending her stumbling back.

James's rage boiled over. He grabbed an empty bottle from the table, hurling it at me with all the fury he could muster.

The next thing I knew, the world went dark. The bottle crashed against the back of my head, and I collapsed. Blood spilled across the floor, soaking into my nightgown.