Chapter 16
Marcus raised a hand to seize her wrists, staring at her in astonishment.“You actually want to hit me?”
“I want to beat you to death!”
This woman was bold!
No one had ever dared say those words to him, not in his prime, and not even in the past.
But before Marcus could process her audacity, sharp pain seared through his wrist.
Unable to break free, Bertha had sunk her teeth into his flesh, drawing blood.
“What the hell? Are you a rabid dog?” he snarled, shoving her away.
Bertha didn’t say anything. Before he could react, she lunged at him again, consumed by a fiery urge to fight.
Marcus’s face darkened as he once again grabbed her.
“Are you crazy or do you want to die?”
I’m insane! And it’s all your doing! You might as well kill me! It’s all your fault.”
Marcus couldn’t make sense of her ranting. Seeing that intimidation failed, he switched to a warning.
If
you keep this up, the money you owe me won’t just be 8 million, but 80 million!”
The mention of money hit Bertha like a physical blow.
Money, aside from her three sons, was the thing she cherished most in this world. It was also her vulnerability.
greatest
She knew all too well the agony of poverty, the backbreaking effort it took to earn even a single dollar, and just how vital it was to survival.
The threat worked. Her fists froze mid–air, though her eyes still burned with fury.
She felt even more wronged.
Her tormentor was right in front of her, and she couldn’t even lay a finger on him!
The frustration, the rage, the helplessness all erupted in a sudden, violent sob.
“How could
you be so heartless? Haven’t you ruined me enough?! What else do you want from me?!” she cried, her voice breaking.
He was stunned watching her cry.
For a fleeting moment, her tears overlapped with a hazy memory: Casper’s mother weeping beneath him that night.
The room had been pitch–black that night. The drugs in his system made her unable to make out her face or
remember her voice.
But when he’d kissed her eyelids that night, there had been tears.
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He didn’t know why the sight of the woman before him crying triggered that memory, but in that instant, his heart softened, filled with pity, and even an urge to wipe her tears.
The next moment, his frown returned.
This couldn’t be her. Casper’s mother had been far gentler than this crazy woman.
Back then, even through his haze, he’d known she was gentle, not like this crazy, feisty woman.
Marcus exhaled sharply, his gaze turning impatient as he looked at Bertha again.“Shut up!”
“Why should I listen to you?! Who do you think you are?! Don’t you feel guilty for ruining my life? You’re such a jerk!”
Bertha’s pain deepened, her sobs growing hysterical.
She’d thought she’d buried those hardships, but his face tore the scars wide
open.
He’d destroyed her six years ago and now hounded her again. What had she ever done to deserve this?
She couldn’t get a divorce, the children’s civil register remained unresolved, they were stuck in Los Angeles, and she’d fallen into an 8 million debt for no reason.
Her life was a godforsaken mess. Had heaven gone blind, picking on her alone? The unfairness was too much to bear. She sobbed uncontrollably.
This was the first time Bertha had lost control since having children.
After their birth, she’d pulled herself from despair, but the sight of Marcus had driven her to the edge.
Unaware she was the woman he’d been searching for, Marcus misread her outburst.
He assumed she resented him for the sudden 8 million debts upending her life.
This only deepened his irritation: she’d damaged his car without remorse, even fostering hatred.
If not for needing answers, he would’ve tossed her out already.
“You better shut up!” Marcus threatened with a dark face, his patience wearing thin.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
