REVENGE ON MY UNFAITHFUL HUSBAND

He is a monster

I stood by the bed, staring at the body in front of me. There was no decay, no livor mortis—just a faintly pale face, like someone merely unwell. If not for the still chest, I'd have thought this body was simply asleep. I hadn't seen my own corpse until now and still held onto a sliver of hope—maybe I was just severely injured, or in a coma, barely hanging on. If Micah had found me in time, maybe he could've saved me. But seeing the body now, I finally accepted it. I really am dead.

I sat next to my body, staring at my palms. What now? Am I supposed to exist like this forever? No taste, no smell, unable to cry—this is what death feels like? I could see everyone, but no one could see or hear me. I covered my face and sobbed silently.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching—quick and purposeful, more than one person. A familiar pair of eyes entered, but they were obscured by a mask, hiding his true face. Behind him was a tall, dark-skinned man in Tibetan attire. "It's her," the masked man said, pointing at my body.

The Tibetan man yanked off the white sheet covering me, exposing my body and the wound on my abdomen. My pale skin had a layer of some transparent ointment, likely preventing decay. A bad feeling washed over me. The man's eyes roved over my body, his hands pressing here and there, as if assessing the elasticity of my skin. His gaze was like someone inspecting goods.

Pointing at my wound, he muttered in a heavy accent, "Shame about the scar. If not, it'd be perfect to skin her."

Skin me? Is that what I think it means? He wants to peel off my skin? This can't be real—this is a lawful society. But seeing the seriousness in their eyes, I had no doubt they weren't joking. As they prepared their tools and moved closer, I screamed, "No! Get away!" My vision blacked out, and when I came to, I was in a familiar place—the Shark's villa.

Weak and trembling, I sat on the floor, my mind reeling from thoughts of the Tibetan man. "On your knees!" A commanding voice snapped me back to reality. It was Chase, Micah's grandfather; I hadn't seen him in a while. After his wife passed away, his health and mind had deteriorated, and he'd been living in a nursing home to keep him from wandering off. Last time I visited, he had the intellect of a child. But now, with his stern and imposing demeanor, it was clear he was lucid again.

I rushed to him, pleading, "Grandpa Chase, please help me! Don't let them skin me!" But in the vast living room, only Chase's powerful voice echoed: "You are set to marry, and yet you left Ruby at the altar. I don't care if her sister lives or dies—you've disgraced us. How can I trust you?"

Micah knelt, saying nothing in his defense. "Bring the rod," Chase ordered. In the Shark family, punishment meant the whip, and Chase wasn't kidding. "I've told you since you were a child: as the family head, you must be self-disciplined and adhere strictly to our rules. Have you forgotten all my teachings?"

When Micah's father had insisted on being with Bianca against Chase's wishes, it shattered their bond, and Chase put all his hopes on Micah. So Micah's recent actions wouldn't be easily forgiven.

Seeing the whip brought out, Micah's father, who had also suffered its sting as a child, quickly intervened, "Dad, Micah was only worried about his sister. His actions were wrong, but understandable."

Chase, still fuming, replied, "Our family's code is clear—rewards and punishments must be just. Like father, like son. Get out of the way, or I'll whip you too!"

"Take off your shirt," Chase commanded coldly. Micah complied, revealing faded scars left by Zoey from that fateful night. Chase struck without mercy, the first lash immediately breaking the skin. Zoey threw herself between them. "Grandpa, it's all my fault. Punish me instead. I shouldn't have called Micah."

After Micah's mother died and Bianca came into the picture, Micah's father's relationship with his son soured, and he despised Bianca. He couldn't stand Zoey either. "Oh, you finally understand. You're just like your mother—a manipulative whore," Chase spat, raising his hand to strike Zoey. But Micah shielded her with his body, taking the hit himself.

Smack, smack, smack!

A round of applause broke the tension. Lyle, pushed in by Van, sneered, "Micah seems awfully concerned about Zoey. If I didn't know any better, I'd think she was your wife."

The room fell silent at his insinuation, Micah paling as if Lyle could see right through him. Bianca, who hadn't moved during Micah's punishment, now stepped forward, "Lyle, words have consequences. Zoey is a young lady. If these rumors spread, what would people think of her? A woman's reputation is everything."

"Ha, so you do know that a woman's reputation matters." Lyle's response was sharp and laced with intent, his eyes mocking, making Micah uneasy.

Bianca knelt before Chase, "I'm sorry for failing as a mother. Zoey just relies on Micah too much. If anyone deserves punishment, it's me. Please spare the children."

Chase, still furious, retorted, "You have no place to speak here. I never recognized you as part of this family. You're not worthy to be part of us!"

"Grandpa, it's my responsibility. Bianca and Zoey had nothing to do with it. Punish me instead," Micah offered.

Lyle sneered, "So noble, even getting along with the woman who killed your own mother. No wonder you're so easily manipulated, forgetting even your own surname."

"Didn't you once say you'd never return to our family, Uncle? And here you are." Micah shot back.

Lyle, despite his disability, exuded an air of authority, his presence overshadowing Micah. "I've changed my mind," he said nonchalantly, tapping the armrest of his wheelchair. "Better for me to take over the Shark family than let it fall into the hands of someone useless."

"What did you say?" Micah was visibly shaken, as if Lyle's words struck a nerve. It was clear there were things between them I didn't know. Lyle's gaze was cold and unwavering as he declared, "Since you won't treasure what you have, from now on, I'll be taking everything that belongs to our family."