Maybe it was because I asked for a divorce—and Lennon simply could not accept that.In the days that followed,he changed.Almost as if he were trying to win me back.

He secured an invitation to the most prestigious auction in California and told me he was bringing me with him.

The venue was nothing short of breathtaking.Celebrities,politicians and business tycoons mingled in designer gowns and tailored suits,sipping champagne and trading smiles.

Lennon stood beside me,usually affectionate.He placed a warm hand on the small of my back,leaned in close and whispered into my ear.

"Whatever you want tonight,it’s yours."

I gave him a faint smile and said nothing.

Then,just as the next item was about to be introduced,the massive auction screen flickered.And in an instant,the feed switched.

A single image appeared.An image of me.

My hair tangled.My body was limp and exposed.Unconscious.

Gasps echoed through the room like breaking glass.

"What the hell is this?"Lennon shot to his feet,his face draining of color,then quickly reddening with fury.

The host scrambled to regain control,but the screen only grew more grotesque—photo after photo,each one faked but disturbingly convincing.Then,a shaky video.

"Oh my god…isn’t that Meredith Shepherd?"

"I always thought she was so elegant.No one could ever imagine she did something like that behind closed doors.

The whispers came like a storm,crashing into me from all directions.My skin went cold.I felt as though I had been plunged into a frozen lake.

None of it was real.I knew it.

But who would do something this cruel?

Then I turned my head and there she was.Winona Myers.

She stood at the back of the room,holding a glass of wine,her lips curled into a smirk.Slowly,deliberately,she mouthed the words,"You’re finished."

"Mr.Shepherd,please,we’re so sorry—"The auction manager rushed over,drenched in sweat as he tried to explain.

Lennon grabbed the man by the collar,his voice erupting.

"Shut it down!Now!Or I’ll make sure this place never hosts another event again!"

The man nodded frantically and ran to the control booth.

However,the damage was done.

Lennon turned back to me with eyes colder than ever."Meredith,what the hell else are you hiding from me?"

I tried to speak,but my throat locked up.No sound came out.

Slap!

This time,the blow was harder than before,knocking me clean to the floor.

My ears rang.My mouth filled with blood.I tasted iron as red droplets dripped onto the soft,pale carpet beneath me.

Lennon looked down at me,his voice filled with nothing but loathing.

"You really disgust me."

Then he turned,plucked a flash drive from his pocket and threw it to a nearby waiter.

"Forget the finale piece,"he barked."Play this instead.A lovely little video of Meredith Evans screwing a homeless guy."

I stayed unmoved.I stayed crumpled on the floor,blood pooling at the corner of my lips,as laughter filled the room—sharp,delighted,merciless.

"Oh my god...she was really doing that with a homeless man?"

"Tch,no wonder Lennon hasn’t brought her to any public events lately.Turns out he knew she was trash all along."

"A woman like that should be thrown into a cage like a wild animal."

I clenched the carpet beneath me.My nails dug into my palms so deeply I felt the skin tear.

On the massive screen,doctored images and faked footage looped endlessly—Lennon’s twisted production,designed to portray me as some depraved woman assaulted by vagrants.Every frame crushed me under the weight of shame.

And Lennon just stood there,watching it all without a flicker of remorse.Never once asking for the truth.

He had already chosen his version of the story—and the role I would play in it.

"Mr.Shepherd,the finale piece has been removed.You may display…whatever you wish."

The auctioneer handed over the remote control with shaking hands.

Lennon took the remote from him,towering above me like a god of judgment,his eyes cold and gleaming with a cruel glint.

"Meredith,"he said,"since you like attention so much,let me give you all of it."

He pressed the button and the next video began to play.

Something worse than humiliation.A new level of hell.

It showed me surrounded by filthy men,their bodies grotesquely close,violating the image of me with staged,degrading movements.

The audience erupted in horror.

"Oh god!This is sick!"

"Poor Mr.Shepherd…married to that?How did he stand it for so long?"

My whole body shook.I could not even see clearly anymore through the tears clouding my vision.

I knew the footage was fake—Winona had it made.I knew that.

Yet,I knew,no one wanted the truth.

Lennon did not even want justice.

He wanted to destroy me,making my life feel like hell.

Then the auctioneer spoke again,voice rising above the chaos."Ladies and gentlemen,tonight’s final item is…rather special."

"Mr.Shepherd here has decided to auction off his wife,Meredith Evans."

What—?

My head snapped up.I stared at him,not sure I had heard it right.

Lennon actually wanted to...auction me?

"The starting bid is one dollar,"Lennon said,his voice calm and cruel."Because frankly,that’s all she’s worth."

The room burst into roaring laughter.Dozens of mocking eyes bored into me,stripping me bare.

I bit down on my lip so hard I tasted blood.

This was the man I once loved.

This was the reward for every sacrifice I had ever made.

Slowly,I rose to my feet.

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth…and I smiled.

"Let me show you what I’m worth."

The words were quiet,but the whole room went dead silent.

"Mrs.Shepherd,"the auctioneer asked cautiously,"are you sure?We’ll have to verify your capital."

I nodded,forcing down the pain clawing at my chest.

"But first,I need to make a call."

The line rang once.Twice.

Then a voice came through,warm,familiar,gentle.I almost broke just hearing it.

"Can I borrow some money?"I asked."And…remember when you said you wanted to have a child with me?I’m ready now."

There was a beat of silence on the other end of the line—followed by a low,steady voice.

"Give me five minutes."

I ended the call,wiped the tears from my cheeks and walked back into the auction room.

Lennon’s face had soured,clearly had not expected my firm resistance.

"Meredith,do you really think a phone call can save you?"he sneered."Tonight,you're destined to become the whole city’s biggest joke."

Laughter flickered around the room.The crowd’s faces glowed with smug delight.

"Look at her face,crying like a baby.The Evans Family can’t even afford a decent dinner,so how could she afford something as extravagant in an auction?You should just accept your fate.”

Even Winona joined in with a condescending smile.

“Why don’t you beg Lennon for forgiveness?Maybe he’ll be kind enough to pretend none of this ever happened.”

I did not answer.I just stood there—silent,composed—waiting for fate to turn.

Exactly five minutes later,the grand doors of the auction hall burst open.

Gasps rippled across the room as a team of men in sleek black suits entered with practiced precision.Their shoes tapped crisply on the marble floor as they made their way toward me.Without hesitation,they bowed.

“Ms.Evans,”one of them said,“our boss sent us to ensure your safety.He also asked me to deliver this message:all his assets have been transferred to your name.You may use them however you wish.”

I gave a small,composed smile and raised my hand slightly toward the auctioneer.“Please verify the funds.”

The auctioneer took my bank card with trembling hands and slid it through the machine.

Moments later,his expression shifted sharply.His expression drained of color and his hands began to shake violently.

“Verification complete…the liquid assets exceed one billion dollars.”

The room gasped as one.Stunned silence engulfed them.

I did not spare Lennon a single glance.I just picked up my bag,turned to the bodyguards and said calmly,“Handle the rest.I’m tired.I’m going home to rest.”

I took a cab straight to the hospital.Today was the day of my abortion.

When I woke up after the procedure,I instinctively placed a hand over my flat stomach and my eyes stung with tears.

Two months ago,when I first found out I was pregnant,I was overjoyed.I thought this child was a blessing from heaven—meant for me and Lennon.

Yet,everything changed when I learned the child was not even his.And he…had never even touched me.

Lying on the hospital bed,I stared blankly at the night sky through the window.The anesthesia was wearing off,leaving a dull ache in my lower belly.Yet,it was not nearly as hollow as the ache in my heart.

The door creaked open.I turned my head slowly.Lucan Shepherd,Lennon’s older brother,stood there.

That was the same man I had called earlier at the auction.

He held a lunch box,still cool from the breeze outside.

“I’m sorry,”he said gently.“I had someone track your location.You didn’t sound right on the phone.I was worried.”

He placed the lunch box on the table beside me.“I had them make chicken soup with red dates.It’s good for your recovery.Drink it while it’s hot.”

I managed a faint smile.“It’s fine.Thank you…really.”

He sat at the edge of the bed,poured the warm soup into the lunch box with practiced ease,then brought a spoonful to my lips after gently blowing on it to cool.

Instinctively,I reached for the spoon,wanting to feed myself,but he pulled it slightly back.

“Don’t.Let me.”

His tone left no room for argument,but his eyes were incredibly gentle.

No one had ever treated me like this before—not even Lennon.

The soup was just the right temperature,so warm and comforting.I sipped it slowly,but soon,without warning,tears welled up in my eyes and fell silently into the bowl.

Lucan set the spoon down and reached out,wiping the tears from my cheeks with soft fingers.

“Why are you crying?”he asked gently.

“Because this isn’t fair for you,”I whispered hoarsely.“You being this kind to me…I don’t deserve it.”

My chest tightened.I took a breath and forced the words out.“I’m sorry.I should tell you the truth.I…I was violated.By random homeless guy.I’m not…clean.”

His expression darkened.His voice dropped to a firm,unshakable tone.“Meredith,do you think that’s something I’d care about?”

He leaned in,cupped my face in both hands and made me look at him gently but firmly.

There was no trace of disgust,only genuine pain and fury.

“I care that you were hurt.I care that Lennon—that bastard—ever let this happen to you.”

My lips trembled.More tears spilled,this time uncontrollably.

And then he pulled me into his arms.

His embrace was warm and strong.For the first time in what felt like forever,I felt safe.

“Whether it’s fair or not,that’s for me to decide,”he murmured,stroking my hair with aching tenderness,“And from now on,Meredith Evans,your tears—if you ever cry again—will only be for me.But I’ll do everything I can to make sure you never have to.”

I rested against him,listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.At that moment,I felt like I could finally breathe again.

He pressed a soft kiss to the top of my head.

“Sleep,”he whispered.“I’m here.I’m not going anywhere.”

After the auction,Lennon brought Winona back to the villa.

She kicked off her heels with a laugh and tossed her sunglasses onto the vanity,flopping onto the king-sized bed with a sigh of satisfaction.

"Finally,I don’t have to pretend to be blind anymore.Babe,Meredith just ran off like that—you didn’t even chase after her?"

Lennon climbed into bed behind her,wrapping an arm around her waist as he pulled her close.

"Let her run,"he said with a sneer."You know how she is—give her a couple of days and she’ll come crawling back,begging for forgiveness.This time,she’s the one in the wrong.I’m done bending over backwards for her.She’s gone now and that means it’s just us."

Winona turned around with a smug smile and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"But what if she doesn’t come back?"she teased.

Lennon scoffed,his voice laced with disdain."She’s tainted—used up by random guy and disgraced in front of the entire city.Who would want her now,besides me?"

Then he leaned in and kissed her.

When I woke up,Lucan took me to the hospital for a full medical exam.

The process was long and draining.I sat quietly,legs swinging from the exam table,while the doctor reviewed the results.His expression darkened as he read.

"Ms.Evans condition is concerning,"he said,voice serious."Aside from the expected post-abortion weakness,she’s severely malnourished.There are early signs of anemia."

As he spoke,Lucan’s face hardened with every word.His hands clenched into fists,knuckles turning bone-white.

"What about past injuries?"he asked tightly.

The doctor paused,hesitating as his eyes flicked to me for permission.

I lowered my gaze in silence.

Lucan’s voice dropped into a dangerous calm."Say it."

The doctor let out a slow breath,then said carefully,"There are signs of previous trauma—injuries consistent with long-term physical abuse."

The room fell still.Thick.Suffocating.

Lucan’s jaw flexed,his breathing shallow and sharp.A storm brewed in his eyes.

Without another word,he turned abruptly,storming for the door.

I reached out instinctively and grabbed his wrist."Lucan!"

He stopped in his tracks,his back still facing me.His entire body was tense,his rage barely contained—and I knew it was not directed at me,but at Lennon.

"Don’t…"I whispered,my voice cracking."He’s not worth it."

Slowly,he turned and pulled me into his arms with such urgency that I could hardly breathe.

"Meredith,"he ground out my name,his voice trembling with emotion he was trying so hard to suppress."How am I supposed to just endure this?"

I pressed my face against his chest.My tears soaked into his shirt as he held me tighter.

He took a long,shaky breath.Then,gently,he ran his hand along my back and whispered,"All right.I won’t go."

After a moment,he added quietly,"But promise me this—starting today,you’re mine.And I swear,I’ll never let anyone hurt you again."

I closed my eyes and nodded.

"Edith..."he said,voice breaking from steel to tenderness,"Marry me,will you?"

I nodded again,this time without hesitation and wrapped my arms around him even tighter.

***

Meanwhile,back at the Shepherd Family villa…

Lennon lounged on the couch,scrolling through his phone.His expression twisted into annoyance.

"She’s still not back?"he muttered."Tsk.Meredith’s really milking this tantrum."

Winona curled against his side,head resting on his shoulder.She giggled softly.

"What’s the matter—starting to miss her?"

"Miss her?"Lennon scoffed."She’s damaged goods.I only ever took her in because I pitied her."

He tilted Winona’s chin with one hand.

"You,look at you here,you’re perfect—obedient,pure."

Winona beamed and planted a kiss on his cheek."Obviously.I’m nothing like her."

Lennon smirked and pulled her into his arms,full of lazy confidence.

Where else could Meredith possibly go?She had no one,nowhere to run.No one else would take her in.Just two days and she would come crawling back.

And then,maybe,he would consider taking her back.