Before she could even speak, Chase Lockwood let out a contemptuous sneer, as if he had been absolutely certain she would call.

"Miss Kane. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

His voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"You just want an apology, don’t you? Fine, I’ll apologize to you..."

"As if! Did you really think a few meaningless words over the phone would be enough? I want you to come here, get on your knees and apologize to Vivian. And then you’ll let her slap you ten times. Nothing less will quench my fury."

"So, are you angry I hit Vivian Lynch, or are you angry I lied to you?"

There was silence from the other end.

"Chase Lockwood, I told you I had a boyfriend, but you refused to believe me. I also said that I wished you and Vivian Lynch well. You were just too arrogant, thinking I was playing hard to get."

"You could accept me being Adrian Preston’s mistress. You thought I was debasing myself, and that was fine. But me being his *wife*? That’s not okay, is it? Because that puts me on a higher level, and you lose the right to pity me. Is that it?"

"Chase Lockwood, I know how controlling you are. Even though we broke up, you still think I belong to you—that I’m branded as yours for life. But I’m sorry to disappoint you. As far as I’m concerned, you’re ancient history."

"Mia Kane—"

Chase Lockwood’s voice was a low, hoarse rasp, as if forced through gritted teeth, his anger reaching its peak.

"I’ll go apologize to Vivian Lynch, just like you want. In return, you will resume your cooperation with the Preston Group. Don’t use this as an excuse to cause more trouble."

"Is he really that important to you? Important enough to swallow your pride and endure this humiliation just to help him?"

"Chase Lockwood, have you forgotten? You used to be that important to me, too. So important that I was willing to sacrifice myself to protect you. It’s just a shame that now, you’re not even worth a single hair on Adrian Preston’s head."

’Even if Adrian is just fulfilling his marital duties—even if he would protect any woman who became his wife—’

’—with him, I’ve found respect and a sense of security I’ve never felt before.’

’So even if I have to endure this immense humiliation, I’m doing it willingly.’

’When I treasured Chase, he didn’t appreciate it.’

’So now I’ll treat him like dirt under my shoe, with nothing but indifference.’

"Mia Kane, you’ve gotten quite a sharp tongue. How come I never noticed that before?"

"There’s a lot you haven’t discovered about me. But don’t worry, your ’good brother’ has seen it all."

"You two... Have you...?"

Chase Lockwood demanded, his voice strained.

Mia knew what he was asking.

He was asking if she had slept with Adrian Preston.

She answered without a moment’s hesitation. "Of course we have! Chase Lockwood, you already assumed I was Adrian Preston’s mistress. Did you really think our relationship would be ’innocent’?"

Chase Lockwood went silent on the other end, likely half-dead with rage.

’He must have had his physical needs over the past three years, but he held back for Vivian Lynch’s sake, thinking it was some grand testament to his love for her.’

’But then, the woman he hadn’t touched for three years had her ’innocence’ stolen by kidnappers.’

’In that scenario, it wasn’t my fault. And later, when he mistakenly thought I was Adrian Preston’s mistress, he could frame it in his mind that I was only selling my body to get his attention.’

’Only then could Chase accept it. It allowed him to feel superior, to look down with pity as I ’suffered the consequences’ for his sake.’

’The feeling was...’ 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

’Look at that foolish woman, degrading herself just to get my attention.’

’But he never expected that I would do it willingly! How could he possibly accept that?’

"Mia Kane, I’ll ask you one last time. Did you marry him just to get revenge on me?"

Of course, Mia couldn’t tell him the truth, so she replied in a deliberately breezy tone.

"You’re overthinking it. I was simply drawn to Adrian Preston’s power and status. And, of course, his face and body... They satisfy my needs."

"You’re lying! You’re obviously doing this to get back at me!"

Chase Lockwood screamed, his voice raw. He was clearly on the verge of a breakdown.

Mia felt like she was watching a pathetic clown.

’Who is he even putting on this act for now?’

’Men are so strange.’

’Some men get divorced and still think their ex-wife belongs to them. It’s insufferable.’

"I’m not discussing this with you. When do you want the apology?"

"Now. Get your ass over here to Lockwood Manor, right now!"

he roared.

"Fine. You’d better keep your word."

This time, Mia was smarter. Afraid he’d go back on his word, she had prepared a contract. With everything down in black and white, if he tried to renege later and still go after the Preston Group, he wouldn’t be able to use her as leverage.

She hurried to Lockwood Manor and saw Chase Lockwood walking down the stairs to meet her.

"Where’s Vivian Lynch?"

she asked, confused.

"She’s upstairs. Go on up and find her. In the master bedroom. I’m sure you can find it."

After living here for three years, she of course knew her way around.

"Sign this."

"You brought a contract? You really don’t trust me that much?"

"Too many past mistakes. I have to be on my guard with you."

"Mia Kane, how did it come to this between us?"

Chase Lockwood narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed on her.

Mia frowned.

’Has he lost his mind? Asking a question like that, when this is all his own doing?’

’It’s a shame. The man still hasn’t realized he’s the one in the wrong.’

This time, Chase didn’t argue. He quickly signed his name, and Mia went upstairs to the master bedroom.

But there was no sign of Vivian Lynch in the master bedroom. Stranger still, the room was completely devoid of any women’s belongings.

’I moved my things out, so he must have gotten rid of whatever was left.’

’If Vivian had moved in, she definitely would have added her own things by now.’

’Vivian doesn’t live here?’

"Where is Vivian Lynch?"

The moment she asked, the door behind her slammed shut. BANG! The sound made her heart jump.

She immediately spun around to face Chase Lockwood, her guard up. His eyes were dark and unnerving, fixed on her like a viper, making her skin crawl.

"If Vivian isn’t here, then I’m leaving."

Mia tried to move past him to open the door, but he grabbed her wrist and violently threw her back.

She staggered a few steps and fell to the floor. Luckily, the soft carpet cushioned her fall, and she wasn’t hurt.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

"Why can they have you, but I can’t? I didn’t touch you for three years! Is this how you repay me?"

"Chase Lockwood, are you insane?"

’Was it my fault we didn’t sleep together for three years? I thought we were going to get married, that I’d be his sooner or later. If he had only asked, I would have willingly said yes.’

’But him? He refused to touch me, all to prove his undying love for Vivian Lynch.’

’Chase Lockwood is such a hypocrite!’

"You belong to me!"

Whether he was blinded by rage or not, Chase pinned her down, forcing her hands high above her head.

She tried to kick him, but he anticipated the move and pinned her legs down with his own.

Her mind raced, remembering the self-defense Adrian had taught her. She struggled with all her might. Just as she was about to reach the door, she realized it had been locked.

The next second, Chase slammed her against the door.

He forced her hands behind her back, binding them tightly with his tie before throwing her onto the bed.

The world spun, leaving her completely disoriented.

"Chase Lockwood... Have you forgotten Vivian? You love her so much. How can you betray her like this?"

"She’ll never know."

His voice was low and husky, and the look in his eyes was anything but innocent.

He closed in, step by step—