After years of resentment toward my father, Gary Hathaway, I decided to forgive him. But upon returning home, my stepmother, Scarlett Brown, mistook me for a mistress.

She wouldn't listen to my explanation. Instead, she, along with her bridesmaids, began to beat me mercilessly.

Even when they discovered I was pregnant, their cruelty knew no bounds.

Scarlett sneered, saying, "So now mistresses are so bold they come knocking on doors, challenging us?

"What a shame for someone so young to resort to seducing men. Does my man really belong to you?

"And now you're pregnant? Girls, don't let up—make sure this baby is gone. We're not stopping until we see this through."

Despite my pleas that I was not what she thought, Scarlett accused me of being shameless, playing around for money.

When I called her name, it only enraged her more; she saw it as a mockery of her aging looks and took out her fury on me.

I knelt, begging her to spare my unborn child, but she thought I was flaunting my situation and kicked me harshly.

They slapped me, pulled my hair, kicked my stomach, and even shaved my head.

They didn't stop until I was bleeding profusely.

Just when I was on the brink of consciousness, Gary finally arrived.

With a feeble voice, I managed to say, "I regret it. I shouldn't have come back to forgive you."

——

Five years ago, on a rainy night, Gary insisted on going out for business. My mother, Halle Berry, followed him out of concern.

The heavy rain made visibility poor, leading to a car accident. Halle died protecting Gary.

From then on, my anger towards Gary grew. I left for a distant land, even marrying abroad without inviting him.

Although I had long stopped hating him, Gary had always kept tabs on me and even visited secretly, but I never acknowledged him.

Even though I no longer held a grudge, Gary had earlier sent inquiries about his marriage plans, making it clear he wouldn't proceed without my approval.

I didn't oppose his marriage but chose not to agree to return for the ceremony.

My decision to come back was sudden.

Recently, a mentor who had cared for me dearly passed away unexpectedly.

He had been in great spirits one day and gone the next.

On his deathbed, my mentor urged me to let go of past grievances and cherish those around me.

Thus, I decided to attend Gary's wedding, forgive him, and let him know he was about to become a grandfather.

I unlocked the door to my home, finding it empty, and texted Gary to let him know I had arrived.

Before I could even check in with my husband, someone forcefully knocked my phone out of my hand and shoved me from behind.

A deep, sharp female voice followed. "What are you doing here with a key to my house?"

Clutching my growing belly hidden beneath a loose dress, I nearly lost my balance. I looked up to see a crowd of people I didn't recognize, led by a woman dressed in gold and jewels—clearly Scarlett.

Realizing she was the one who had spoken, I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. "This is my home. My father is Gary, so of course, I have a key."

I decided to keep things civil since she was to spend her life with Gary. I attempted to greet her with a smile. "You must be Scarlett, soon to be married to Gary…"

"Look at this little hussy, thinking she can waltz in here and challenge us!" Scarlett interrupted, pushing me hard to the ground and pinning me.

Scarlett slapped me across the face with such force that it left me reeling.

As she started wailing and cursing, she yelled, "So this is what I get, Gary? On the eve of our big day, you've been keeping a mistress like this?

"This key to the house—I had to practically beg for it, and he claimed only I had one. But clearly, even mistresses have one!"

Slaps rained down on my face, and countless kicks battered my body. The pain was overwhelming; my head was spinning, and I could barely speak, almost on the verge of losing consciousness.

Only the sharp pain in my abdomen kept me somewhat grounded.

I struggled to turn onto my side, and, using what little strength I had left, I shouted, "You've got it all wrong! Gary is my dad, and I'm his biological daughter. If he knew you were treating me like this, he wouldn't let you get away with it!"

Gary was the billionaire tycoon of New York, known for his ruthless efficiency and zero tolerance. Anyone who crossed him usually faced dire consequences.

Perhaps my words had some effect. The group of women momentarily halted their assault. One of them, visibly concerned, asked, "Scarlett, are you sure we've got the right person? You know how temperamental Mr. Hathaway can be…"

"Bullshit!" Scarlett snapped, glaring fiercely. After a moment's hesitation, she stomped hard on my hand, her heel digging in. "You little slut, don't think you can fool me."

The sharp heel of her stiletto drove into my hand, drawing blood. Despite my cries, she pressed down harder. She continued with unwavering conviction, "This little vixen isn't fooling me. I've seen her name in Gary's wallet, and it's precious to him.

"When I asked him about her, he got mad. If she's not a hidden mistress, what is she?

"Calling him 'dad'—what a disgrace. Today's youth will stop at nothing for money.

"Let me tell you, mistresses have never ended well in history. I'm going to deliver justice myself today."

As Scarlett signaled to her entourage to resume the beating, desperation sparked in me. I shouted, "Wait! I really am Gary's daughter. I have proof in my bag!"

"I have a family photo of the three of us," I said desperately, "If you don't believe me, check my bag."

Someone skeptically rummaged through my bag and soon pulled out the photograph.

Although Gary had marked it out with a black pen, it was still clear enough that he was in the picture.

The group stared at the photo, murmuring among themselves. Some said it resembled him, while others disagreed.

My heart pounded with anxiety.

"Scarlett," I pleaded, "I really am Gary's daughter. I swear, I won't tell anyone about today's events. I know you're upset because you care about Gary so much. He won't blame you for this."

As I spoke, I tried to discreetly dial the police on my phone, but Scarlett saw me.

She yanked my hair viciously, her voice laced with venom. "So you've come prepared, huh? Is this some sort of show? Planning to call Gary while you're at it?

"Thinking of calling the cops? Seems like you're feeling guilty, doesn't it?

"Just because you're younger, you think you can insult me and call me old and washed-up?

"Let me tell you something, tomorrow it's me marrying him, not you, the so-called mistress.

"Is it just because your hair looks better or your face is younger? I'll make sure you regret showing up here."

They pinned me down and slaps continued to rain on my face until I was left speechless, tears of pain streaming down my face.

Scarlett grabbed a pair of scissors and methodically began cutting my hair, leaving me with a bald head.

I could only sob helplessly, unable to fight back.

I remembered how much Halle used to love doing my hair. "My little girl," she'd say, "your hair is so shiny. Long hair looks the prettiest. You're my little princess."

Gary also adored my long hair. "That's right, my daughter is just as beautiful as your mother. We'll learn to style your hair together."

My hair was precious to me, a tangible link to Halle and the happy family we once were.

Gary and Halle had promised to protect me and make me the happiest princess.

But now, with Halle gone and Gary's new wife beating me without reason, the home that once felt warm had turned into a cruel battleground.

The sharp scissors cut into my scalp, blood trickling down my face.

One of the women, with my blood smeared on her hands, hesitated, clearly frightened.

She looked at Scarlett and said, "Scarlett, don't you think we're going a bit too far?

"What if Mr. Hathaway finds out and gets upset about this poor girl?"

Scarlett snorted dismissively. "Too far? What's too far? She's a mistress destroying a family. Besides, I'm the one Gary's marrying. Why are you scared?

"Make sure to do this right, and I'll reward you all."

Seizing the moment, I finally managed to speak through my tears, "Please, just let me go. I'm not a mistress. I'm married, and I'm pregnant with my husband's child. I swear I'm Gary's daughter."

Hearing this, they hesitated and released my grip. I fell to my knees, begging, "Please, just spare me. I'm really not a mistress. If you let me go, I'll never show up in front of Gary again. No one will interfere with your chance to become Mrs. Hathaway.

"Just let my child be safe, and I'll do anything you ask."

I thought I had humbled myself enough, but those words seemed to push me further into danger.

"Slut, are you showing off because you're pregnant?"

Scarlett kicked me in the stomach with such force that I flew like a fragile leaf.

Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth, and I felt a warm sensation beneath me.

Scarlett's eyes were wild with fury, and her voice echoed like that of a demon. I felt an unprecedented despair.

"And you still dare to deny being a mistress? You're deliberately coming here to snatch Mrs. Hathaway's position, aren't you?

"Do you think I'm scared just because you're pregnant? I'll tell you, that kid won't ever be born.

"Ladies, beat her to death, go all out. If you don't make her abort, it's not over today."

The sight of my battered and vulnerable appearance, as if I were about to breathe my last, seemed to unnerve some of them.

They hesitated, their fear paralyzing them.

To them, beating up a mistress was a matter of honor as long as no one's life was lost.

If the baby was made to abort, it would be akin to murder.

Someone hesitantly suggested, "Scarlett, it's getting late. Maybe we should just call it a day?"

"Call it a day?" Scarlett tossed her head back, her tone icy. "Fine, but don't come crying to me when your man's factory deal falls through."

She looked around at the others, her gaze cold. "And if your kids need a spot in a public school, or if your elderly relatives need a special doctor, or if your children need a promotion at work—don't bother coming to me. Just scatter."

"Come on," the person who had just spoken grabbed Scarlett's hand, trying to placate her with a forced smile. "I misspoke earlier. Mistresses deserve whatever they get. I'll make sure her pretty little face is ruined right away."

"Where's she going?" someone called out as they noticed I had managed to crawl toward the door.

Once again, I was dragged back like a fish out of water, my struggle marking the door with blood stains.

My voice, hoarse and tragic, cried out for mercy, but they all acted as if they were deaf.

Scarlett had them by the neck, and for her satisfaction, they all outdid each other.

One used scissors to brutally slash my face. "Rely on your youth and beauty to seduce someone else's husband? Let's see if you dare to be a mistress again!"

Another kicked my belly like a soccer ball. "See if you dare to sleep with someone else's husband, hoping to climb the social ladder with your dirty tricks."

Yet another tore off my clothes while someone else recorded a video of my nudity. "You little slut, if you dare to tell Mr. Hathaway, I'll post your video online and let everyone know you're a worthless tramp."

And I, powerless, could only shed tears of humiliation.

Before long, a searing pain erupted from within, and blood flowed from between my legs.

I knew my child was gone. During my pregnancy, the doctor had warned me that my health was fragile and that I should take extra care.

After my husband went on a business trip, I came back alone, thinking nothing would happen at home.

Little did I know I would encounter such a group of devils.

My child died in a baseless accusation, never getting a chance to see the world.

I trembled with agony.

The culprits chuckled with a sense of smug satisfaction. "Scarlett, look at this little troublemaker. She can't threaten you anymore. She got what she deserved."

Scarlett nodded approvingly. "That's what happens to mistresses. They get what's coming to them."

At that moment, Scarlett's phone rang. It was Gary calling. She signaled for everyone to quiet down, even covering my mouth to make sure I didn't make a sound.

Gary's cheerful voice came through the phone. "Scarlett, my daughter just texted me saying she's back home. You remember her, the one from the photo I showed you last time? The one I keep in my wallet.

"You saw her? I heard from my son-in-law that my daughter is pregnant. Could you keep an eye on her for me? I'm canceling my meetings and heading back right now..."