The Purity Of A Six Year Old

My husband, Alex Thorne, played the part of a paralyzed man for three years.
The night the cruise ship burned, a flaming beam collapsed and shattered my leg. I was screaming his name, my voice raw with desperation, begging him to save me.
He sat in his wheelchair and looked at me, his eyes cold.
Its too far. I cant reach you. Youll have to crawl.
But the very next second, his first lovethe ghost of his perfect pastslipped and fell overboard.
Alex suddenly stood up. He moved with a runners speed, sprinting to the deck rail and plunging into the black sea.
I was left behind, my leg broken by the fire. The lack of oxygen burned out something essential in my brain, and my intelligence stalled forever at the age of six.
Three years later, Alex was searching the world for me, frantic with guilt and regret. He finally saw me on the street, panhandling for spare change.
He knelt on the pavement, his eyes bloodshot.
To hide from me, youd sink to this? Was it worth it, Gemma?
I tilted my head, looking at this strange, furious man. I fished in my pocket, pulled out a sticky piece of hard candy, and offered it to him.
Mister, your legs are working just fine. Why are you kneeling like me?
Are you trying to learn how to panhandle? I only have one candy left. Here.
1
Alex didnt take the candy.
Gemma Reed. How much longer are you going to keep up the act?
His voice was too loud.
I flinched, shrinking my neck, and instinctively pulled the ragged bowl closer to my chest.
It had three dollars in it. That was tonights dinner money.
I couldnt let him steal it.
Seeing my silence, Alex only grew angrier.
He grabbed my arm.
Ouch! Bad Mister! Dont hit Gemma!
I cried out in pain, but the other hand stayed clamped shut around the small piece of candy.
Liam had given it to me this morning as a reward for not wetting my pants yesterday.
Alexs face went white when he heard me call him Mister.
The theatrics are exhausting!
He sneered, his eyes dropping to my tightly clenched fist.
He must have thought I was hiding something valuable.
He forcibly pried my fingers open.
In my palm lay a slightly melted, dusty piece of fruit hard candy.
Alex froze, then a wave of profound disgust washed over his features.
This is what you were fighting for?
He snatched the candy and viciously threw it on the ground.
His polished leather shoe came down on it, grinding it twice.
No!
I shrieked. That was my candy.
I found a surge of energy, wrenched my arm free from his grip, and flopped onto the ground.
I frantically dug my fingers into the grout lines of the sidewalk to scrape up the sugary dust.
It was filthy.
But it was sweet.
I shoved the dirt-and-shoeprint-covered sugar crumbs into my mouth, tears and snot smearing my face.
Sweet its sweet
People were watching. Someone pulled out a phone to record.
Alex seemed enraged by my animalistic hunger.
He grabbed my collar, hauling me up like a sack of garbage.
Gemma! Dont you have any self-respect? Youre disgusting!
I ignored him, weeping as I stared at the sugar stain on the ground.
Pay me back Mister, pay me back my candy
Alex gritted his teeth, hoisted me onto his shoulder, and shoved me into the sleek, black luxury sedan parked at the curb.
I beat on the window, watching my dented plastic bowl sit alone on the street.
The money! My money!
Liam will be hungry!
Alex locked the doors and told the driver to go.
He turned back, staring at me with pure hatred.
Good. Let that stray starve.
Gemma. Since you love playing a role so much, Ill take you back to the place you tried so hard to escape and let you play all you want.
2
The car pulled up to an enormous house.
It looked faintly familiar, but I didn't dare recognize it.
The walls were too white, like a hospital.
The lights were too bright, like fire.
The house staff stood by the door, covering their noses when they saw my dirt-caked clothes.
Alex dropped me onto the expensive carpet in the living room.
Get her clean. Dont let her ruin the rug.
A couple of housekeepers approached and roughly dragged me toward a large, marble bathroom.
The shower turned on.
Hot water poured out, billowing white steam.
Ah! I screamed, scrambling into a corner.
Fire! Its fire! Dont burn Gemma!
The hot water on my skin felt exactly like the searing heat of the flames that night on the ship.
I covered my head, shaking violently, my teeth chattering.
The housekeepers impatiently grabbed me.
Mrs. Thorne, stop the act. Its just water.
I thrashed desperately, my fingernails scratching one of the housekeepers arms.
Snap! The woman slapped me across the face.
You crazy bitch!
When Alex burst in, I was huddled in the corner of the tub, looking like a drowned, mangy dog.
My clothes had been ripped off.
The entire expanse of my backa massive, grotesque burn scar, knotted like tree rootswas exposed to the air.
Alexs pupils contracted sharply.
He seemed about to reach out to touch the scars, but his hand stopped halfway.
To keep up the act, you really went all out.
He bit out the words, his voice a strange mix of something I couldn't understandwas it sarcasm, or something else?
Alex?
A soft, delicate voice drifted from the doorway.
Skylar walked in, wearing a white ballet leotard.
She was so clean, like a perfect white swan.
And I was the rat in the sewer.
Skylar saw the scars on my back. A flicker of disgust crossed her eyes, quickly replaced by concern.
Gemma, what happened to you? Alex is trying to help you, but you shouldnt scratch the staff.
I caught the scent of her perfume.
I sneezed, pointing at her.
Auntie, you smell bad.
Skylars face stiffened, her perfect smile barely holding on.
Alex immediately moved to shield Skylar, looking at me with cold fury.
Gemma. Apologize to Skylar!
I didnt understand.
She smelled bad. Why did I have to apologize?
I stubbornly pursed my lips, saying nothing.
Alex lost his patience.
He turned to a cabinet and pulled out a red box.
Inside, nestled in tissue, was a pair of crimson ballet slippers.
They were my most prized possession three years ago.
But now, seeing them made my leg ache.
The broken bone throbbed beneath the skin.
Didnt you love dancing?
Alex tossed the shoes in front of me.
Put them on. Dance for me.
I cant dance
I shook my head wildly, pulling my body back.
Leg hurts fire dont burn Gemma
He thought I was protesting, that this was part of the act.
Wont dance?
He gave a harsh laugh, picked up the shoes, and strode toward the stone fireplace.
A fire was crackling inside.
If you wont dance, then you never will again!
He let go, and the slippers tumbled into the flames.
The fire immediately devoured the red satin and silk ribbon.
NO!
I looked at the light, and the last frayed string in my mind snapped.
The fire.
The cruise ship.
The broken leg.
I was so terrified that I lost control of my bladder.
Yellow liquid streamed down my thighs, filling the air with a rank, acrid smell.
Skylar gasped, covering her nose and recoiling into Alexs embrace.
Alex looked at the puddle on the floor, his face pale with shock and disgust.
He finally realized.
The proud, vibrant woman who was once Gemma Reed.
She was truly broken.
3
Alex confined me to a bedroom, forbidding me to leave.
But I was hungry. My stomach rumbled.
I missed the stale bread Liam used to buy me.
That evening, the mansion was buzzing.
Alex was hosting a dinner party.
A maid brought me downstairs and pressed me into a chair at the grand dining table.
The table was loaded with rich food, but I was afraid to touch it.
Alex sat at the head, and Skylar sat beside him, acting like the lady of the house.
Eat, Alex said, his voice cold.
Arent you hungry?
I looked at the steak in front of me. It was rare, with streaks of blood.
I was terrified of blood.
I shook my head, my eyes fixed on a small cake in front of Skylar.
It was strawberry-flavored, and it looked very sweet.
Skylar noticed my gaze.
She smiled and pushed the cake toward me.
Gemma, go ahead and eat. Dont be shy.
I swallowed, cautiously reaching out a hand.
The moment my fingers touched the plate, a sharp, stabbing pain shot up my inner thigh.
Skylars hand, hidden beneath the tablecloth, had pinched me with brutal force.
Ah! I cried out, my hand trembling.
The plate flipped, and the cake splattered all over Skylars white party dress.
Cream covered her.
Oh! My dress!
Skylar shrieked, tears instantly welling up in her eyes.
Gemma, if you didnt want the cake, why would you throw it at me?
This was a limited editiona gift from Alex!
Alex slammed his hand onto the table, rising abruptly.
Gemma!
He glared at me. Is your jealousy so toxic that you cant even tolerate a dress?
I was so frightened that I dove beneath the table.
I clutched my head, shivering.
Gemma didnt the Auntie pinched me it hurts
Alex didnt believe me for a second.
Get out from under there!
He roared. Pick up the cake from the floor and eat it!
I didnt want to come out, but I was afraid of being hit.
I crawled out, kneeling on the ground, and reached out to scoop up the cream-smeared dessert.
Skylar was pretending to dab her dress.
Her high heel moved subtly, crushing a small, fallen glass on the floor.
Shards of glass mixed into the cream.
I didnt see it.
I only knew I had to obey to get fed.
I grabbed a handful of cake, and the sharp glass instantly pierced my palm.
Blood began to flow freely.
WAAH!
I screamed in agony, holding up my bleeding hand for Alex to see.
Mister, it hurts bleeding
The bright red blood dripped onto the carpet, a shocking sight.
Alex saw the blood, and his heart violently shuddered.
He instinctively started to rise, but Skylar suddenly clutched her chest and collapsed into his arms.
Alex, my chest feels tight I think Im too upset
Alexs movement stopped.
He looked at Skylar, then at my blood-covered hand.
Finally, he turned his head, hardening his heart.
Take her away.
No bandaging. No food.
Let her remember this.
4
The basement was pitch dark.
There were no windows, only the occasional squeak of a mouse.
I was huddled in a corner, licking the wound on my hand.
The blood had dried, sticky and uncomfortable.
So hungry.
I missed Liam.
Suddenly, a loud crash came from the door.
BANG!
The iron door rattled violently as someone kicked it.
It was followed by the sounds of the security guards shouting and fighting.
Get out of the way! Let me through!
That voice it was Liam!
My head shot up, my eyes suddenly alight.
Liam!
I stumbled toward the door.
It burst open.
Liam staggered in, holding a bloodstained metal pipe.
He was covered in bruises, his clothes ripped, but his eyes were fierce.
Gemma!
He saw the blood on my hands, and his eyes instantly reddened.
You bastards!
He dropped the pipe and rushed over, pulling me into a fierce hug.
Dont be scared. Im taking you out of here.
His embrace was warm. It smelled faintly of the street and stale coffee, but it was the safest smell in the world.
But we couldnt leave.
Alex, with more security guards, blocked the doorway.
He was wearing a silk robe, looking down on us.
So this is your little conquest?
Alexs gaze dropped to Liams hand wrapped around mine, his eyes full of killing intent.
A scavenger?
Liam subtly shifted, putting me fully behind him.
Alex Thorne, are you even human? She has the mind of a six-year-old! Youre torturing a disabled woman!
Alex sneered.
Disabled? Shes a better actress than anyone I know.
He waved his hand, and the guards lunged.
Soon, Liam was wrestled to the floor.
Alex walked over and planted his foot on Liams hand.
Ah!
Liam muffled a cry of pain but clenched his jaw, refusing to beg.
Since this hand dared to touch my wife, well take it.
Alex accepted the baseball bat a guard handed him.
He raised it high.
NO!
I screamed, charging forward like a wild animal.
I shoved Alex, using my scarred body to shield Liam.
Dont hit Liam! Liam gives Gemma candy! Youre the bad guy!
Alex stared at me, seeing me protect another man like a mother protects her young.
Jealousy contorted his face into a terrifying mask.
Fine. Very well.
He tossed the bat back to a guard.
Since you love him so much, Ill smash every single finger, right in front of you.
The guard raised the club.
Liam thrashed, shouting, Gemma, run! Dont worry about me!
I looked at the club.
I knew that kind of hit felt very, very painful.
I couldnt let Liam feel that pain.
My eyes fell on a small paring knife on a nearby end table.
That Auntie had said if you do something wrong, you have to pay.
If he wants a hand, Ill give him one.
I snatched up the knife.
Without a moments hesitation, I sliced it toward my left pinky finger.
Pch!
Dont!
Liam and Alex roared simultaneously.

First, search for and download the MotoNovel app from Google. Then, open the app and use the code "329834" to read the entire book.