All-Body Scars

1
The day I left the country, the Maybach belonging to the scion of Port Sterlings military elite floored the accelerator, but it still wasnt fast enough to catch my flight.
He sent me a frantic barrage of messages:
Can you stop this tantrum? So what if Brielle stole a little of your life force?
Fine, its all my fault, okay?
They said you left the country. Is it true?
I was wrong. Please dont do this to me. Answer the phone. Im going to lose my mind.
Listening to the utter desperation in Ashton Coles voice, I felt nothing but a bitter irony. I blocked his number, then swapped my SIM card for a new one. Finally, there was peace.
Three years later, I returned to Port Sterling for my cousins wedding. At the airport, I ran into an old friend.
Nina, she said, its been three years. You cant still be angry, can you?
Are you back to get back together with General Cole? He never married that other woman. Hes been waiting for you all this time.
Her words barely caused a ripple in the calm waters of my heart.
My five years of marriage to Ashton Cole had been five years of inexplicable misfortune.
In the fifth year, I was hit by a truck and left paralyzed from the waist down. The doctors said I would never walk again. In everyones eyes, I was a walking disaster, a curse. Only Ashton had stood by me, unwavering, for all those years.
That was, until I heard a renowned mystic had come to the city. I rushed to see him.
After studying my birth chart, his brow furrowed. Miss Shen, your destiny is exceptionally auspicious. You should be living a life of great wealth and fortune, free of illness and disaster.
His gaze then settled on the jade bracelet on my wrist. His voice was heavy with meaning. While jade can be nurturing, the one who gave you this harbors ill intentions. I would advise you to wear it as little as possible.
I froze. The bracelet had been a gift from Ashtons young niece, Brielle. They werent blood relatives; her parents had simply done a great service for Ashtons father, the old General. After their deaths, she had come to live in the Cole family home.
A violent tremor ran through me. I desperately wheeled myself out, determined to find Ashton and demand an explanation. But as I neared his office on the base, I overheard him talking to his aide.
General, Mrs. Coles body cant take much more of this. Are you sure youre going to let Miss Brielle continue on like this?
Ashton waved a dismissive hand. Brielle saw me wiping Ninas face yesterday. The girls in a temper. Let her have her fun for a little while longer. Besides, my own life force is powerful. Nina is my wife; shell be fine. Its just minor ailments, a few bumps and bruises.
The aide hesitated, but Ashton continued. The girls own chart is weak. Marrying me would have balanced it, but I fell in love with Nina. Its my fault she was so frail and sickly all those years. I owe her this. As long as Brielle is safe and happy, Ill give her anything she wants.
Ashtons words were like an invisible hand, squeezing the air from my lungs. I had always thought I was just cursed with bad luck, that my misfortune had dragged him and Brielle down with me.
But it had all been their design.
How could you! I burst through the door, our eyes locking as tears streamed down my face.
Ashton was startled for a moment, then he bent down, his hands resting on my shoulders. Nina, you shouldnt eavesdrop. His voice was gentle, but his grip was painfully tight. None of that was real. I was just saying that to placate Brielle. Youre not superstitious too, are you?
My body trembled uncontrollably. I dont know where the strength came from, but I began to struggle. No Change it back! Im going to die, Ashton Please. Change it back
His expression remained placid. Be good now. Behave. His voice dropped. People will think the Generals wife is a madwoman. He stood up. The mistress is not well. Have the medics come and give her a sedative.
I shook my head wildly, but no matter what I said, Ashton remained unmoved. The medic soon arrived with his kit. Ashton gestured to him, then leaned down, his lips close to my ear. Youre tired, Nina. Get some rest.
A sharp sting pierced my arm. As the sedative flowed into my veins, my world faded to black.
When I opened my eyes again, I was in our familiar bedroom. It was empty. I fumbled for my phone and dialed Ashtons father.
General, I said, my voice hoarse but eerily calm. Ive made my decision.
I agree to the divorce. I will leave Port Sterling forever.
The old Generals voice was electric with excitement. Good! Only when youre gone will Ashton marry Brielle! This way, the Cole family line wont end!
Ill have the divorce papers sent over for you to sign. Well arrange for you to go abroad in a month.
After hanging up, I raised my arm and smashed the jade bracelet against the bedpost. It shattered. In that instant, a wave of clarity and vigor washed over me, a feeling I hadnt had in years. To avoid suspicion, I found a cheap imitation and put it on.
Just as I finished cleaning up the fragments, Ashton came in. Nina, Im taking you for your physical therapy. He was all gentle smiles, as if yesterday had never happened.
Ever since the accident, he had been meticulously caring for me, personally overseeing my therapy sessions. But there had never been any improvement.
Today, however, after the session, I could feel a distinct tingling in my legs. A flicker of sensation.
When we were done, Ashton wheeled me into the garden to get some sun, but he was called away by a phone call. The moment he was gone, Brielle stormed in, her hand wrapped in a bandage. She glared at me, her eyes immediately fixing on my wrist. When she saw the bracelet was still there, she seemed to relax.
Then, her teeth clenched. Uncle Ashton spent so much time with you today. You must be very proud of yourself. She pulled a thin leather whip from behind her back. Im not going to let you have it so easy!
The whip cracked down on me. Pain exploded through my body, and I convulsed.
Brielle, are you insane?!
I tried to wheel myself away, but she gave me no chance. Seeing me in pain only seemed to excite her more. The whip fell again and again as she showered me with curses. I dont even know when I passed out. She only stopped when her anger was spent.
When I regained consciousness, the raw, red welts covering my body made me gasp. Ashton was sitting by my bed, his eyes bloodshot, as if he hadnt slept. He handed me a document. Sign this. Its a formal letter of forgiveness. If you dont, Brielle will be disciplined.
I then learned that someone had seen Brielle whipping me and had reported her. She was currently being held in custody on the base. I laughed coldly. So that was why he hadn't slept.
I glanced at the paper. Why should I forgive her?
Ashtons face hardened. The mistress is injured and cannot sign. Bring me the ink pad!
At his command, several guards stepped forward and held me down. Ashton grabbed my hand, pressed my thumb onto the ink pad, and stamped my print onto the document. As he stormed out with the letter, he shot a look at the guards.
Before I could process what was happening, they were on me, holding me down and slapping my face. Hard.
One hundred and eight sharp slaps. My cheeks felt like they were about to burst before they finally stopped.
The General said this is a warning, one of them said coldly. They left me, a broken heap on the hospital bed.
I was in the hospital for a week. Ashton never once came to see me, though he sent plenty of concerned texts, blaming his absence on his duties. But Brielle sent me taunting photos every single day: Ashton cooking for her, Ashton washing her feet, Ashton renting out every billboard in Port Sterling for her upcoming birthday.
On the day of my discharge, another message from Brielle arrived.
[Uncle Ashton is throwing me a birthday party at the main garrison hall. Youll be there, wont you, sister Nina?]
[I even have a special surprise for you this time!]
That afternoon, Ashton himself came to pick me up. In the car, he helped me change into an evening gown and even braided my hair himself. Every touch was gentle, affectionate. Any outsider would have been envious. But compared to what he did for Brielle, it was nothing.
We drove straight to the party. As I was getting out of the car, the ring on my finger slipped off, clattering to the ground. The sound was like a blow to my heart. My eyes instantly filled with tears. The next second, Ashtons military boot crushed it under his heel.
Stop dawdling, he said impatiently. Brielle will be getting anxious.
Hot tears spilled down my cheeks. He saw them and a flash of annoyance crossed his face. He let go of me, handing me off to the driver. Get the mistress inside. Im going to check on Brielle.
Even though I had no expectations left, my heart still ached with an unbearable pain.
As the driver wheeled me into the banquet hall, I saw Ashton and Brielle standing on the stage. Brielle spotted me immediately.
Its my birthday, her cold voice rang out. Why are you late, sister Nina? I think you should be punished. Come and pour me a glass of wine.
Every eye in the room turned to me. Paired with the rumors of my being a curse, their gazes were filled with scorn and contempt. I looked to Ashton for help, but he just gave the driver a subtle nod. The driver let go of the wheelchair. With no support, I pitched forward and fell to the floor in a heap.
Utterly humiliated.
Brielles silvery laugh echoed through the hall. Oh, sister Nina, what are you doing? Theres no need to bow so deeply.
The room filled with laughter. I struggled to push myself up, my eyes instinctively searching for Ashton. My wheelchair help me
But he was already gone, pulled away by Brielle to open her presents. My strength gave out, and I collapsed again. The man who had saved me countless times had finally abandoned me.
The party was a lavish, grand affair. It felt less like a birthday and more like an engagement party. A bitter smile touched my lips, which seemed to enrage Brielle.
I had just managed to drag myself to the powder room when she followed me in. A sharp slap landed on my cheek. What do you have to be so smug about? she sneered. Im telling you, Uncle Ashton will divorce you and marry me sooner or later!
I wiped the blood from my lip, my expression calm. Then by all means, go and tell him that.
She was speechless for a moment, her face flushing with rage. She grabbed a table lamp and raised it to strike me. But before it could fall, Ashton appeared in the doorway.
Brielles eyes instantly filled with tears. She dropped the lamp and collapsed to the floor. Sister Nina, Im sorry! Please dont hit me! she screamed. Then, she threw herself against the corner of a nearby table.
Brielle! Ashton, as if he were blind, shoved me aside and rushed to her. The force of the push sent me crashing into a glass partition. It shattered, showering me with shards. Blood bloomed all over my body.
Ashton My voice echoed in the ruined room, but no one answered.
In the end, I crawled to the hospital myself. The nurses at the entrance screamed when they saw me.
Ashton didnt come until the next day. The first words out of his mouth were an accusation. Did you have to cause a scene at Brielles birthday? When are you going to learn to be sensible?
He was right. I wasnt sensible. Otherwise, I never would have married him. I turned my head away, unwilling to speak to him.
Perhaps the sight of me covered in bandages moved him. He sighed and sat beside me. I was a bit hasty the other day. But you cant blame Brielle. Dont take your anger out on her, okay? When youre discharged, Ill make it up to you. Just let this go.
Do I have a choice?
He fell silent, his expression complicated.
Finally, I broke the silence. Just go. I want to rest.
But this time, he didnt leave. After a long moment, he took my hand. Nina, theres something I need to discuss with you
Father has always hoped that Brielle and I could have a child
I was stunned. You dont need my permission for that. As if my refusal would stop him.
He misunderstood. Dont worry, I wont touch her. The technology is very advanced now. I want her to carry our child
The realization hit me. I stared at the stranger in front of me and finally broke. Never! I screamed. I will not have my child grow in another womans womb!
Seeing my breakdown, he pulled me into a gentle embrace. Shh, its okay
As he whispered comforting words, he injected a syringe into my IV line. Itll be over soon. It wont hurt.
But as the drug entered my system, my consciousness didn't fade. Instead, every nerve in my body lit up, hypersensitive. Every sensation was amplified. The pain on the operating table was excruciating, tearing me apart. Every time I fainted, a nurse would splash a basin of cold water on my face to wake me.
Miss Brielles orders, she said coldly. You must be awake to feel everything.
Just then, Ashton pushed the door open. Whats going on? He checked the IV bag and sighed. Brielle can be so mischievous, swapping the anesthetic for a drug that amplifies pain.
But he didn't change it. He just stroked my hair. Be good. Just endure it a little longer.
The torture lasted for a full hour. By the end, my lips were bitten to shreds, and my eyes were bloodshot, fixed on him with pure hatred.
Just then, a nurse came in. General, Miss Brielle is awake. Shes asking for you.
Alright, Im coming. He didnt even look at me as he left.
In the days that followed, he was always by Brielles side.
On the first day, as Brielle prepared for the implantation procedure, she was too nervous to sleep. Ashton held her all night. Meanwhile, I packed up every gift he had ever given me over the past four years and donated them all.
On the third day, after Brielles procedure, Ashton stayed by her bedside day and night. I, on the other hand, took medication to speed my healing. Without the cursed bracelet, my legs were recovering at an astonishing rate. I could already walk.
On the fifth day, Brielles pregnancy was confirmed. Overjoyed, she posted the test results online. Ashton liked the post. I blocked him, deleted all my social media accounts, and erased every trace of myself from the internet.
For the next few days, Ashton remained with Brielle. I checked myself out of the hospital, returned to our villa in the officers quarters, and packed my things. He never noticed.
On the final day, my divorce certificate arrived. The date on it, I noted with a cold laugh, was our anniversary. How ironic.
I placed his copy of the certificate in an envelope on his bedside table. As I was leaving, I ran into him.
He looked surprised. Nina, youre out of the hospital? Why didnt you tell me? Perfect timing. Brielle is being discharged too. You can take care of her. He was carrying bags filled with baby supplies, a joyful, irrepressible smile on his face. He didn't even notice that I was walking.
Fine, I said casually. Go on ahead and get a few more things from the store.
Before he could react, I was in the car I had arranged, and we were gone.
Two hours later, I boarded my flight. Just before takeoff, I took the audio recordings, the documents, the photos, and the paternity test, and I posted them all to the militarys internal forum.
The suffering I endured, Ashton and Brielle would now experience for themselves.
Tenfold, a hundredfold.

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