She blinked her big, sparkling eyes and pretended to hide behind David.
David, full of tenderness, pulled her into his arms, gently patting her head in comfort before turning to me with a mocking gaze.
“Aren’t I doing this for your own good? Didn’t you say you wanted to leave me? And you’re so capable that you insist on leaving with nothing. So, out of the kindness of my heart, I found a job opportunity for your mom. Why are you upset? Seven dollars a day isn’t bad, is it?”
Looking at the man before me, whose smile never reached his eyes, I felt an overwhelming sense of fear.
Back when we started our business, we were so frugal that we would stretch every penny. My mom took care of the household and even though we lived modestly outside, he always made sure to leave her enough money for daily expenses.
Back then, he always looked at me with guilt in his eyes and said, “Only by giving Mom more money will she feel that you didn’t suffer by marrying me. Baby, one day, I’ll earn a fortune and give you and Mom a truly good life.”
And now? Just to humiliate me, he paid seven dollars to hire my mom as a janitor.
“What will it take for you to let me go?” My throat was dry, my voice hoarse.
"You've always held a grudge over Lucia taking your role as Diana, haven't you? I'm giving you a chance to prove yourself. Perform an impromptu scene as Diana and I'll let you and your mother go."
"David, acting without props is really too difficult for Saveline," Lucia giggled, her voice sweet yet insidious. "I have a suggestion. Why not let Saveline pick a gentleman from the audience to play King Zion?"
"My Lucia is always so kind," David said indulgently, tapping the tip of Lucia's nose.
I held onto my last shred of dignity, scanning the room for a man willing to act alongside me.
But who here would dare offend David, their powerful benefactor?
One by one, they took discreet steps back, avoiding my gaze.
David's lips curled into a knowing smile, as if savoring my humiliation.
Lucia beamed, her beauty blooming like a flower in full bloom. David’s eyes softened with adoration.
"David, why don’t I play King Zion instead? I’ll help Saveline out."
Without waiting for my response, she cheerfully grabbed a bottle of liquor. "Saveline, let’s act out the famous 'Wine Pool and Meat Forest' scene, shall we?"
I panicked. "David, I can’t drink!"
I was pregnant.
Ever since James offered to take me abroad, I had planned to give birth overseas. As long as David never knew about this child, as long as he stayed out of our life, I could do it alone. I could be both mother and father.
I wanted to keep this child.
"Why are you being so pretentious? It's just a short scene. How much could you possibly drink? If you want to end this farce quickly, stop making a fuss." David remained as arrogant as ever.
Tonight, under the dazzling lights of this grand event, I was nothing but a clown.
I knew I had no way out.
Lucia was playing King Zion. To end this humiliation as soon as possible, I had no choice but to brace myself and approach her.
She pulled me tightly into her embrace. "My beloved consort, come, have a drink with me!"
I knew that if I didn’t drink this wine today, there was no way I’d be allowed to leave.
Clenching my teeth, I took a gulp. The burning sensation made me furrow my brows for a moment.
"Cut! Cut! Cut!" Lucia’s expression darkened.
"Saveline, Diana should be enjoying this moment. How could you frown? Let’s do it again!"
It was a two-ounce glass, filled to the brim. A sly smile flickered in her eyes. "My beauty, come on, enjoy yourself!"
She poured another two ounces of liquor into my mouth.
I was anemic, pregnant and drinking on an empty stomach. It didn’t take long for an allergic reaction to kick in. Large patches of red rashes spread across my body.
