Pay for Your Cruelty

My daughters simple Daddy was once the sole reason I clung to my marriage. When my wife, Stella Lawrence, was first caught by the police for soliciting eight men, I chose to endure it. For the sake of our family, we struck a fragile agreement: I wouldnt file for divorce, and she would undergo daily screenings for infectious diseases at the hospital. Each time, shed cooperate submissively during blood draws, allowing the cold needle to pierce her skin, all out of guilt. This went on for a whole month, until she was caught red-handed again, for the same offense. In that moment, my blood felt like it was boiling, my eyes bloodshot as I stared her down. "How many more times will you betray me? What do you take me and our daughter for?" A sharp slap suddenly echoed through the room. She shrieked hysterically, "Im sick of your endless checks! You think this is a compromise? This is you silently condoning my continued indulgence!" "And how clean are you, Mr. Saint? When you were juggling countless women back then, did I ever utter a single complaint?" The most brutal truth unraveled with her cold sneer: "You really think Luna is your biological child? Just because she called you Daddy for a few years, you think youre her real father?" The undisguised disgust in her eyes pierced my heart like an ice pick. I suddenly understood that all my persistence had been meaningless. I had chosen to forgive her for the childs sake back then, but now, for the childs sake, it was time to cut ties completely with this rotten relationship. A rival, also arrested nearby, gloated. "You two are a perfect match, truly. Both of you are so dirty, whats there to despise each other for?" "That woman must be getting drafty from all those daily checkups, huh? I bet your husbands had enough of you." "And lets be real, the number of women he slept with back in the day probably outnumbers your current flings" Stella slapped her again. "Enough! Shut up!" I stared at her, tears streaming down my face, unstoppable. Six months into our marriage, I was kidnapped by an enemy of her past crimes. Beaten and humiliated for three days and three nights, videos spread across the internet before she finally rushed to my side. At one point, I wanted to end my life. She stayed by me 24/7, never leaving my sight. She tried everything to cheer me up. "Julian, its all over. Im here. No one will ever dare to hurt you again." Two months later, she found out she was three months pregnant. She wept with joy, convinced it was a gift from heaven. "Our baby is fighting so hard to see you. Please dont let her down, okay?" I started taking new dad classes. Slowly, I began to accept everything. Even through the arduous pregnancy, Stella treated me with unwavering devotion. It was a girl, named Luna, meaning to protect my peace. Three years flew by, and I thought life was slowly getting better. But reality delivered a brutal slap to my face. The day she was arrested, I was in the next room celebrating Lunas birthday. The police kicked open the door, and all I saw was clothes strewn across the floor. And nine naked people on the bed. "My husband back then probably had even more, must have been awesome." I happened to overhear that sentence. After she sobered up and saw me, she slapped herself so hard she ended up in the hospital. Claiming she was just framed by a rival. And back then, cradling a trembling me, she had retorted to others: "Am I looking for a husband or virtue?" "Anyone who dares to say one more bad word about my husband, Ill kill them!" Just three years, and everything had changed. The chaotic shouts pulled me back to reality. The person opposite her was already covered in blood. Stella still had her fists tightly clenched. "You have no right to talk about my husband!" She turned to me, and the ferocity in her eyes finally dissipated. She stepped forward, blocking my view. "Im sorry, Ive been under a lot of stress lately. Let me calm down first." I looked at her calmly. "Ill have my lawyer handle the divorce papers. Lets do it quickly." She furrowed her brows, the drops of blood on her face looking somewhat terrifying. "Are you really that heartless? I just spoke without thinking, does all the good I've done for you before count for nothing?" I didn't answer. I turned to the police. "I'm not bailing her out. Follow the procedure." Then I walked away without looking back. Luna was waiting for me at home. Her innocent eyes were still searching. "Wheres Mommy?" I picked her up, fighting back tears. I spent a lot of time with her. Making formula, changing diapersall hands-on. I never once thought she wasn't my flesh and blood. But after so many years, I had already grown too attached to let go. A car engine rumbled at the door. Stella walked in, her face weary. Luna flew into her arms. Stella immediately put on a smiling face, picking her up and spinning her around. Only after telling stories and putting her to sleep did she open her laptop to deal with messages. A glass of warm milk still sat on the nightstand. She didnt even look up. "Go to sleep first. Even for Luna, you need to calm down." I lay awake all night. My mind was clouded, unable to decide what to do. Three days later, Stellas adopted brother, Alex Lawrence, was getting married. It had been decided that Luna would be the flower girl. Alex and I were on good terms; there was no reason to take my anger out on him. The moment Alex saw Luna, he warmly picked her up. "Our Luna is the best, isnt she?" Luna giggled, kissing his cheek. "Luna loves Uncle Alex the most!" The joyous atmosphere around me sent a pang through my heart. Should I really take Luna away from the Lawrence family? Alex pulled me over for a photo. "On such an important day, my lifesaver must have a place of honor!" Years ago, he was also taken by the kidnappers. I had negotiated and offered myself to protect him. In these three years, he had practically brought the world's best things to me. I forced a smile, pushing those messy thoughts away. The wedding went smoothly. I couldn't resist taking a few more videos. Turning around again, Luna had disappeared. I frantically went to look for her. The hotel storage room. Stellas phone, which had been unreachable, was ringing inside. Just as I was about to knock, I suddenly heard unusual gasps. "Stella, are you really just going to watch me get married? What about our eight years?" It was Alexs voice. My hand, resting on the doorknob, froze mid-air. Unspeakable sounds reached my ears. After an unknown duration, Stella's languid voice spoke. "Youre part of the Lawrence family, after all. We can't be together." "Then are you really willing for me to sleep with other women from now on?" Alex sounded a bit desperate. "Why? When I had the kidnappers take him, you should have just left him alone!" "Otherwise, you wouldn't be despised as dirty by a man whos been ridden by countless others!" "Luna is our biological child" "Enough!" Stella cut him off, the sound of clothes rustling. "I've already indulged you enough. Don't push your luck." "Since you're married, settle down. Don't make me sacrifice my reputation to protect you again!" I slumped against the door, making a loud thud. Eight years I had only known Stella for seven years. That nightmare I lived day and night. It was actually orchestrated by the closest people to me. The air fell into a deathly silence after the door opened. Stella helped me up. "Are you alright? I just came to help grab something" I stared fixedly at Alexs clearly aroused state, my heart sinking to rock bottom. "Was it fun, watching your husband being humiliated?" Seeing that I had already heard everything, Alex tore off his disguise. "When you were under those guys, Stella and I were having a blast right next door." "These past few years of marriage, Ive been with her every day!" "To avoid you finding out, Stella even deliberately got caught soliciting." My head spun with a buzzing sound, and my stomach churned with agonizing pain. Stella glared at him, then hugged me. "He and I are in the past. Ive repaid what I owed him." "Dont worry, I won't have any contact with him again. Those kidnappers have already been dealt with." "Let's just live well with Luna, like before, okay?" I didn't hear a single word she said. "Get out! Dont touch me!" I pushed her away with all my might. Leaning against the wall, I dry heaved. Behind me, they were blaming each other. I closed my eyes, but the sheer absurdity of it all choked me. Seven whole years! My supposed happiness had all been a lie, replaced by a third party. During the time I was humiliated, I thought of Stella again and again. The belief that I had to see her again kept me alive. But what was she thinking next door at that time? Was it pity for me? Or passion for Alex? When I was anxious outside the delivery room, wishing I could suffer in her stead. Was she thinking about what to name her and Alex's child? How could anyone be so flawless in their deception? On one hand, loving me with all her might. On the other, carrying on under my very nose. Luna ran over and called out to me. My expression numb, I picked her up, walking past Stella. "Luna, it's just Daddy from now on." "Mommy, don't cry. Luna wants Daddy." Her tender little hand wiped away my tears. I stumbled out of the hotel. Since neither I nor Luna were wanted, Id grant them their wish. That night, Alex came. He had changed out of his suit. His light attire revealed prominent hickeys on his chest. A nameless nausea surged within me. The discomfort in my stomach made my nails dig deeply into my flesh. I quickly ushered Luna back to her room. "Brother, you're being too petty. Luna is my biological child, no matter what." Alex scrutinized my pale face, his tone filled with thinly veiled mockery. "To be frank, your wife is pregnant again, and its mine too." "In the future, only my child will inherit all the shares of Lawrence Corp." "Because you, Julian, have absolutely no fertility left." His triumphant expression deeply stung me. I threw a punch, the pain making me unstable on my feet. "Get out!" He clutched his face but didnt get angry; instead, he laughed. "Enraged, are we?" "So what? You can never change the fact that Luna is my biological child!" Luna, hearing the commotion, came out clutching her teddy bear and responded blankly. "Uncle Alex, Luna's daddy isn't you." I quickly covered Alex's mouth, forcefully dragging him towards the door. He leaned on the doorframe, letting out a contemptuous sneer. "If you truly cared about Luna, you shouldn't have let her be born. Shell only suffer more as she grows up." "You really think Stella wanted to have a child with you? Luna was just a tool to stabilize your marriage." "She only loves me. Even Luna comes second!" "Just a bastard child. Living with you for so long, Stella says she feels sick just looking at her." Seeing me frozen in place, Alex grew even more triumphant. "Do you know why she agreed to let me hire people to kidnap you back then?" "Because you had a cold, and she was 30 minutes late meeting me because she was taking care of you, so I was angry and wanted revenge." My entire body felt struck by lightning, my vision swimming. It was merely such a trivial matter. And I was just an ant sacrificed for Alex to trample on at will. My eyes bloodshot, I stared at him, my chest heaving violently. He drew a circle on my chest. "Stella only has me in her heart." "She was already pregnant. To avoid having your offspring, she had someone render you infertile." My pupils constricted sharply. My body reacted faster than my mind. I clamped my hands around his throat, trembling all over. "You bastard! How dare you hurt Luna like this Go to hell!" Luna was terrified and started crying hysterically. Alex flashed a smug, knowing smile. "You're truly a terrible father." I looked at a frightened Luna. My grip slowly loosened. Just then, Stella returned from the office. Seeing the scene, she violently shoved me aside. My forehead hit the corner of the table, blood gushing out. Lunas cries grew louder. But Stella only had eyes for Alex. "Julian Reed! If anything happens to Alex, I will never forgive you!" Alex was helped away. Until the car drove off. Stella didnt spare us, mother and child, a single glance. I held a trembling Luna tightly. "Daddys here, dont be scared" "Daddy, do Mommy and Uncle Alex hate us?" I looked into her tear-filled eyes. My chest suddenly ached as if pricked by needles. She was already three years old; how could she not understand adult emotions? "Daddy, then we don't want Mommy either." She buried her head in my arms. I forced myself to comfort her to sleep, swallowing my grief. It had come to this. I had to take Luna and leave. With my decision firmly made, I pulled out the divorce papers I had already drafted. I placed the peace charm she had begged for three years ago on top. She had once said it was specially sought to bless me, to ward off my nightmares. But just moments ago, I had seen an identical one on Alexs wrist. As I packed, my perfectly fine suitcase suddenly cracked open. Just like my once envied relationship, rotting from the inside out. After arranging new lodging, I sat by Luna's bed. Planning to leave with her at dawn. But suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the door. Before I could even stand up, Stella stormed in, her face enraged. She kicked me away, her eyes bloodshot. "Julian Reed! How cruel you are! You actually tried to kill Alex!" I curled against the wall, too much pain to speak. Luna was also startled awake. Seeing the scene, she huddled in her blankets, trembling in fear. "Lu Luna" I struggled to reach for her. Stella grabbed her like a chicken, lifting her up. "You're a father! Why can't you be kinder to Alex? Without him, how could you have become a father?" "Alex came here to apologize to you, out of kindness, and you actually hit him! Hes traumatized and now has a fever!" Luna must have been pinched because she cried hysterically. Continuously calling for "Mommy." "Shut up!" Stella roared viciously. "It's all your fault, you little bastard! You're clearly mine and Alex's child, yet you're trying to leave with your cheap father." I couldnt believe my ears. No matter how harshly Stella had cursed me before, she had never been cruel to Luna. But now, she was actually taking her anger out on her own flesh and blood! "Stella Lawrence! Are you insane?" I rushed forward, trying to snatch Luna. But she held Luna high above her head. "Move again, and Ill drop her to her death!" I froze in place, my temples throbbing, my mind a blank. "You say Im insane? I think youre the one whos insane." "I provided you with a good life, good food and drink, and you just because you caught me once, started acting like Im dirty?" "Alex was right, I never should have kept you and your daughter!" She took a step forward, making to throw Luna down. I quickly knelt, clutching her leg. "No! I beg you, just let Luna go, I'll do anything." I repeatedly kowtowed, my voice desperate and helpless. She stared at me for three seconds, then suddenly smiled. "Alex wants Luna to die with him." My mind reeled. She continued. "Do you know how miserable Alex is right now? Hes on a ventilator!" "Today, I'm going to make you experience Alexs pain!" With that, she took Luna directly into the bathroom. The bathtub was filled with water. "Mommy, Im sorry" But she ignored the pleas, pressing Lunas head underwater. Luna choked, flailing desperately. "Da Daddy" I held onto Stellas arm with all my might, but she wouldnt budge. She radiated an almost crazed aura. Lunas voice grew fainter and fainter. Tears streamed down my face in desperation. I tried to open the drain to let the water out. But Stella violently shoved me to the ground. "Now do you know how desperate Alex was?" "I want you to witness firsthand how Luna suffers because of you!" The floor was slippery, and the back of my head hit the tile with a sickening thud. My vision went black, and my body was unresponsive. Faintly, I saw Lunas arms stop moving. "No Give me back my Luna" I weakly reached out. Stella dragged me all the way to the bedroom. "Give you back your child? Sure! You enjoy wearing a cuckold's horn that much?" "Are you that starved? No wonder you survived three days and three nights!" A bad feeling surged within me. Before I could react, my pajamas were ripped apart by Stella. I was thrown naked onto the bed. Stella snapped her fingers, and the kidnappers from years ago filed into the room. A phone camera was already set up. "You think I'm dirty? Well, I'll make you experience what 'dirty' really feels like!" My eyes widened, words caught in my throat, only "Ah, ah" escaping. The sound of a belt unbuckling dragged me back to the terror of three years ago. Countless greasy hands, I felt like an object for sale. My stomach cramped violently. I desperately tried to get up. But Stella snatched a belt and tied my hands behind my back. "I advise you not to struggle, or you won't even get to see Luna one last time." My twisted limbs completely relaxed at those words. She flashed a triumphant, mocking smirk at me. Patting my face, she whispered into my ear. "Enjoy your gift." The bedroom door slowly closed. All my memories flashed before my eyes like a rapidly spinning carousel. Stella and my first kiss on the Ferris wheel. That grand and solemn wedding. And her repeated pleas for me not to kill myself. No more. I wanted none of it. I bit down hard, reaching for the scissors hidden under the pillow. Screams of terror erupted from the bedroom. At the same time, Stella received a call from the hospital. After hearing the news, she rushed back to the room like a madwoman.