Chapter 3

A week later, the Reid family's monthly dinner arrived as scheduled. With Jason absent, Maya had to attend alone. The moment Jason's mother, Anna Wales, saw her, her expression darkened. "Where's Jason?" Maya lowered her gaze. "He's busy. He couldn't make it." Anna scoffed. She was about to speak when the butler hurried over, handing her an entertainment magazine. The headline featured a photo of Jason and Sophia kissing on a yacht. Anna slammed her spoon against the table, her fury erupting. "Victoria! Come to the study with me!" Once in the study, Anna commanded sharply, "Kneel!" Maya silently dropped to her knees. "You're useless! You can't even keep your husband in line!" Anna shouted, trembling with rage. "I'm giving you two choices. Either call him back immediately, or face the consequences!" Maya's lashes trembled slightly. She knew that even if she called, Jason wouldn't return. And she couldn't disturb him during his time with Sophia. If he got angry, it could jeopardize the partnership between their families. "I'll face the consequences," she said quietly. Anna's face twisted with fury. "What did you just say?" "I'll face the consequences." Maya raised her head, her gaze steady. "Do whatever you want." Anna's face turned ashen with rage. She grabbed the riding crop from the wall and lashed it across Maya's back. "Will you call him now?" she demanded after each lashing. "Will you call him?" Maya bit her lip hard, her back burning with pain, but she continued shaking her head. Finally, the agony made her vision go black, and she passed out. When she came to, she was lying face down on a hospital bed, her back wrapped in bandages. Jason sat beside her bed, his brow furrowed deeply. "Why didn't you call me when my mother was punishing you?" he asked coldly. Maya smiled weakly. "I didn't want to interrupt your time with Ms. Page." Jason froze. He stared at her pale face, suddenly remembering what the nurse had said. "She loves Mr. Reid so much that she's even willing to take care of the woman he loves…" Did she really love him that much? Enough to endure punishment rather than disturb him? That strange feeling in his chest grew heavier. Over the next few days, Jason unexpectedly stayed at the hospital to take care of her. Maya told him it wasn't necessary, but he didn't leave anyway. However, on the day of her discharge, Jason received an urgent call about a company emergency requiring his immediate attention. "Go home by yourself." That was all he said before turning to leave. Maya nodded and slowly walked out of the hospital. Just as she stepped down from the entrance, she accidentally bumped into someone. "Watch where you're going!" the woman snapped. "Do you know how expensive this outfit is? God, look at what you're wearing! Can you even afford to pay for mine?" Maya was about to apologize when a cold, sharp voice suddenly came from behind her. "Get lost." Jason had somehow gotten out of his car, and he threw a stack of cash in the woman's face. "Is that enough?" The woman was about to argue, but seeing Jason's expensive attire and intimidating presence, she quickly retreated. Jason glanced at Maya coldly. "Victoria, don't the Colemans and Reids provide for you? Why do you look like this?" Maya remained silent. The Colemans had never given her money, and while the Reids had provided credit cards, she never used them since she wasn't the real Mrs. Reid. Seeing her stay silent, Jason felt inexplicably irritated. He then dragged her to the car. "We're going shopping." At the mall, Jason picked out several designer outfits for her, each worth a small fortune. Maya quietly went along, like an emotionless doll. But just as they were leaving the mall, a trembling voice called out. "Jason?" Maya looked up to see Sophia standing not far away, still wearing her part-time server's uniform. Her eyes were red as she stared at them in disbelief. "Didn't you say you were in a company meeting?" "Sophia…" Jason's expression shifted. "You don't have to love me…" Tears streamed down Sophia's face. "But how could you lie to me? I never should've come back. I'm just getting in the way of your marriage." With that, she turned and ran. "Sophia!" Jason shouted and immediately chased after her. Maya stood there, watching his retreating figure with complete calm. But in the next second, a thunderous sound echoed through the mall. Glass from high above suddenly shattered, falling directly onto Sophia. She didn't even make a sound before collapsing in a pool of blood.