Chapter 6

"An explanation?" Spencer's gaze was icy on her, and he looked as though he'd just heard a joke. "Exactly what kind of explanation do I owe you? Does who I love and who I choose to be with have anything to do with you?" The bluntness of his words hit Imogen like a slap. Her face turned deathly pale as she stared at him in disbelief. Beside them, Mason furrowed his brows. His tone was edged with reproach as he spoke, "Imogen, you've crossed the line this time. Suzanne is Spencer's wife. How could you do such a thing?" Imogen scanned the two men in front of her. They were the very men she had believed would always stand by her, spoil her, and protect her. Yet now, both were defending another woman, condemning her on that woman's behalf. Tears streamed down her face, fueled by anger and humiliation. "Fine! Fine! Spencer Price, Mason Lowell! Go ahead and take her side! I'll leave! I won't get in your way ever again!" With that, she shoved Mason aside and ran out of the ward in tears. Mason instinctively took a step after her, but one glance at Spencer made him stop in his tracks. Spencer didn't go after Imogen. Instead, he turned toward Suzanne's bedside. Her complexion was pale, her hand still reddened from the burn. His eyebrows were knit together as he lowered his voice. It was gentler now, tinged with apology. "Suzie, I'm sorry. I should've protected you better. Immy... She's been spoiled by us from a young age. She's headstrong, used to getting her way. "But this time, she went too far. I'll make sure she apologizes to you." Mason stepped forward and joined him. "Exactly. Don't worry, Suzie. Immy acted on impulse. We'll talk to her in a bit." Watching the two of them play along in perfect harmony, Suzanne felt nothing but a cold, hollow sense of absurdity. She didn't say a word before closing her eyes again. Over the next few days, Spencer stayed at the hospital and looked after her. He was attentive. He fed her, helped her wash up, and kept her company. Sometimes, she would study his face, searching for the tiniest hint of pretense. She found none. He seemed so sincere, so gentle, just like he had for the past five years. At times, Suzanne would fall into a daze, wondering whether the conversation she'd overheard that day had been no more than a nightmare. Nevertheless, the wound on her hand and the pain in her body served as her reminder. It wasn't a dream. It was all real. One day, Spencer had company business to attend to. Suzanne had to attend her check-up alone. She was waiting for the elevator when all of a sudden, someone covered her mouth from behind. A chemical, pungent smell rushed into her nostrils. Her vision went dark, and she blacked out. When she woke up again, Suzanne found herself locked inside a metal cage. It was a spacious enclosure, but she wasn't alone. There were more than a dozen dogs with her. The large dogs stared with their fangs bared and drool hanging from their jaws. Their eyes glinted green as they stared at her like starving wolves. Suzanne was terrified of dogs. She was bitten as a child, and that left a lasting psychological shadow. Over the years, she struggled even to approach smaller dogs. Being in close proximity to multiple massive canines—this was her worst nightmare made real. "Let me out! Help!" she shrieked in terror, pounding on the bars. But her screams and frantic movements only agitated the beasts. They pounced on her, clawing and biting! As their sharp teeth sank in, pain tore through her body. Suzanne thrashed wildly, kicking and flailing. However, her strength was no match for the vicious dogs. In an instant, gaping wounds covered her arms and legs. Blood began pouring out. She thought she might take her last breath soon. Through her fading consciousness, she seemed to hear voices outside the cage. It was Spencer and Mason! Were they... right outside? "Spencer, isn't this about enough?" asked Mason. "What's the rush?" Spencer's voice still carried no warmth. "Immy cried for days over what happened at the hospital. She couldn't even bring herself to eat. "If it weren't for this woman, I could've been with her already. I wouldn't have had to hide the truth from her and put her through all these years of suffering. I consider this punishment lenient." At the end of the day, it was all because of Imogen, who "suffered injustice" at the hospital. This was the reason he was punishing her in this manner. It was to avenge Imogen. He even thought... that her existence stood in the way of him and Imogen! It felt as though her heart was being ripped apart again and again by the dogs' sharp fangs. The pain was so intense she could barely breathe. Just before she passed out from the agony, Spencer spoke again. "That's enough. Drag her out and send her to the hospital." The cage door creaked open, and someone stepped in to retrieve her. But at that moment, Mason interjected. "Wait." Spencer turned to him. "What is it?" Mason's voice was indifferent as he said, "You're right. If it weren't for her, Immy wouldn't have suffered. I, too, grew up with Immy. Since that upset her so much, I should vent some anger for her, too." Spencer seemed somewhat hesitant. "Don't take it too far. It might be tricky to explain afterward." "What's so tricky to explain?" Mason waved it off dismissively. "We'll just say she was kidnapped and tortured. Anyway, all her wounds are from dog bites. A few more won't matter." His words were followed by an ear-piercing, metallic scraping. Something was being dragged across the floor. Then, several people brutally hauled her out of the cage and blindfolded her with a black cloth. She didn't know what Mason had in store for her. The overwhelming fear made her tremble all over. Next, she felt herself being lowered onto something cool, hard, and covered in sharp protrusions. It was... a bed of nails? Before she could react, a powerful impact struck her from behind. She was thrown onto the bed of nails. Someone grabbed her, and she was forcibly rolled back and forth across the spike-strewn surface. Indescribable anguish erupted from her back and limbs. The pointed nails pierced her flesh, tearing deep gashes that revealed her bone! Every roll felt like being subjected to a slow execution by slicing. "One, two, three... Ninety-eight, ninety-nine!" counted someone coldly from the side. Ninety-nine rolls. When the final count ended, Suzanne was no more than a bloody mess. Not a single patch of her skin was intact. Her consciousness finally shattered under the extreme pain, and she passed out completely.