Robert said those women were just for fun and that he enjoyed watching me get jealous over him. He claimed it was all part of his ‘little game’. But Gloria Bello was always different. Out of the eight women, she was the only one who truly mattered to him.
Still, I said nothing and quietly walked toward the guest room.
That night, I woke from a nightmare and felt thirsty. I went to the bar for some water. But as I passed the balcony, I heard Robert talking on the phone. His voice carried a low, mocking laugh.
“I can’t really help it. Gloria got kicked down the stairs and cried so hard. It really pissed me off, so I had to help her vent her anger. After thinking about it, I decided that prison would be the best place for Amelia. That fiery temper of hers needed to be tamed.”
“Besides, if I hadn’t locked her up for three years, how could I have spoiled Gloria as much as I wanted? Now I’ve had my fun, Amelia’s out. After Gloria gives birth, I’ll send her away and finally live a good life with Amelia.”
“But Amelia’s changed a lot now. It was worth the money I spent bribing those old men inside to teach her some manners … ”
My fingers tightened around my phone until it cracked from the pressure. Before Robert found out, I had already gone back to my room. I leaned against the door with my straight back. After a long while, I lit a cigarette.
In the mirror across from me, smoke covered my bloodshot eyes. The reflection reminded me of my first year in prison. My hair was torn, my skin broken from the belt’s lashes, cigarette burns were still fresh, the sharp pain of iron rods pierced me and the metallic scent of blood that never faded.
So, all of the pain and humiliation had been planned by Robert.
While I was being tortured, he was enjoying himself with another woman. Not long after that, my phone rang. It was one of my subordinates.
“Amelia, everything’s almost ready. Should we-”
“Let them enjoy their happiness for a few more days,” I said softly.
“It’ll hurt more when everything’s gone.”
For three years, Robert had never visited me once. He had no idea that all those he had bribed, inside and outside, had died mysteriously, starting from the next year. Robert thought he had created a gentle woman. But what came out was a demon.
Late at night, I felt someone slip into my bed. The familiar smell of tobacco filled the air.
“Amelia, you’ve lost so much weight,” Robert whispered.
“I’ve wronged you these past three years. I really missed you … ”
I caught his hand and said calmly, “If you missed me, then why did you send me away and never come to see me?”
Robert sighed, lowering his gaze.
“We grew up together in the orphanage and fought our way up to this point. How could I bear to leave you? But you’re too stubborn, Amelia. That temper of yours isn’t good for you. Besides, you did hurt someone. Maybe some time inside helped you calm down.”
“I was afraid I’d soften if I saw you. Gloria’s leg was crippled because of you. She needed someone to care for her. I had to make up for your mistake … ”
“It’s all in the past now,” he said gently.
“From now on, I’ll treat you well.”
Three years of pain, no sunlight and endless abuse … yet he spoke of it as if it were nothing. His lips brushed my cheek lightly before a knock came at the door. The maid quickly informed Robert, “Mr. Fuentes, Miss Bello said her stomach hurts. Could you come check on her?”
“I’ll be right there, Amelia. I’ll come back soon.”
The tenderness in his tone disappeared instantly. He left in a hurry and didn’t return. I went to the bathroom and scrubbed every place he had touched, over and over, until my skin burned and the nausea finally faded.
The next morning, Robert asked me to dress up nicely.
