Chapter 6

Eve turned around to leave, not wanting to watch Michael and Trisha continue being intimate. When she got home, she checked the status of her migration application online. It would be done in the next few days. Eve then packed her belongings—some documents, clothes, personal items—and tossed the rest away. She then set the gift box she had prepared earlier on the table. When Michael came home, he noticed something was off. Their shared bedroom was emptier than before, and there was even a large empty space in their wardrobe now. He felt uneasy. "What happened to all our stuff, Eve?" Eve didn't so much as look up. "They were too outdated, so I tossed them out." Michael then noticed the gift box. "What's this?" "A surprise I prepared for you. But you can only open it after a couple of days." Michael hesitated briefly but chose not to question Eve further. He just nodded and then asked her, "Will you join me at the family house tonight, Eve? We're having dinner together…" Eve looked up and knew that she wouldn't be able to refuse, given how persistent Michael was. So, she nodded and got into his car with him. They soon reached the old Doran residence. Eve walked inside, trailing behind Michael. She saw that the living room was filled with people. Charlotte and Michael's father, Magnus Doran, were here. So were Trisha and her parents, Tyrone Coleman and Yvette Reyes. Trisha was playing with Jules, who giggled happily in her arms. Eve stood where she was and slowly turned to Michael. "What's the meaning of this?" Michael held her hand and said helplessly, "Eve, Trisha has already looked into that incident from years ago. There's really been… a misunderstanding between you and Trisha." He paused before saying gently, "I know you only did what you did because you love me, so I don't blame you. But my family and Trisha's family were very upset after knowing the truth, so why don't you just apologize and we'll move on?" Eve stared at Michael in disbelief. "A misunderstanding? Michael Doran, are you saying I'd ruin my virtue just to frame Trisha?" Before Michael could respond, Charlotte leaped to her feet and snapped, "How dare you still lie through your teeth? Get over here right now! I'm going to teach you a lesson if it's the last thing I do tonight!" Michael frowned and stood before Eve defensively. "Mom, didn't we agree on an apology?" Eve flung Michael's hand away. "Why should I apologize for something I didn't do?" Trisha began sobbing. "Evie, you know very well what the truth of that incident is… It's been so many years since. Why can't you just forgive me?" Yvette stormed up to Eve, unable to bear seeing her daughter so distraught. She then slapped Eve across the cheek before Michael could stop her. "You bitch! How can you still lie right now when you clearly framed my daughter all those years ago? All you lowborns know to do is lie!" Blood seeped from Eve's split lip. She glanced at everyone present before finally looking at Michael. "You don't believe me either?" Michael looked away. But when Magnus spoke about punishing Eve through their traditional way—whipping—Michael went to defend Eve again. But before Michael could say anything, Charlotte's voice rang out. "How long are you going to defend her, Michael? Eve has done so many hurtful things to Trisha. She even made Trisha get cancer because of that incident! Yet Trisha still gave birth to your child—" "That's enough, Mom!" Michael cut Charlotte off in a panic. When he turned to Eve again, his eyes were filled with disappointment. He said, "I can't let you continue being unrepentant, Eve." Michael then stepped away and let the house staff grab Eve, forcing her to kneel. When the first strike of the whip came, pain flared across Eve's back. Her clothes even tore from the lash. She bit down hard on her lip. "I didn't do anything to Trisha." When the second strike landed, blood oozed from her back. Her vision began to blur, and her ears buzzed numbly. She continued shaking her head in denial but was unable to speak again under the pressure of all eyes around her. As each lash of the whip continued landing on her back, her vision grew darker and darker. But Eve never once admitted to anything. When the final lash came down on her back, she finally collapsed and passed out. Seconds before she did, Michael's cry of panic seemed to echo in her ears. But the sound soon disappeared in the darkness.