I returned to the hotel, packed my things with minimal fuss, and left the divorce papers behind. Without a trace of hesitation, I headed for the airport.

But the moment I arrived, a blinding beam from a flashlight struck my eyes, forcing them shut.

A kick landed hard against me, and Tasha's voice rang out sharply.

"You think you can hurt Nick and just run away? Not a chance!"

I was bound tightly and dragged back to the abandoned factory.

This time, the ropes were even tighter, cutting into my wrists until they bled.

Tasha threw a doll at me, then rushed forward and slapped me hard across the face.

"This is what you've done! I never thought you'd stoop this low—using a cursed doll to wish death on Nick's mother!"

The needles stuck into the doll pierced right into my wound, and in an instant, fresh blood soaked through my white shirt.

The pain was so intense I couldn't speak.

When I didn't answer, Tasha grabbed a stick and struck my leg.

"I'm talking to you! Are you mute now? Don't think playing pitiful will make me forgive you. Apologize to Nick's mother right now!"

Staring at the doll riddled with needles, I forced myself to speak through the agony.

"I didn't do this. Someone set me up."

She let out a cold snort. "We found this in your closet, and you still dare to deny it?"

Behind her, Nick stood with tear-filled eyes, looking utterly wronged.

"Thomas, my mom is just a simple woman from the countryside. She's worked hard her whole life and never enjoyed a single day."

Suddenly, he dropped to his knees and began kowtowing to me, as if his life depended on it.

"You can punish me however you want, but please don't hurt my mother. She's the only family I have in this world!"

Before I could respond, Nick suddenly pulled out a knife and stabbed himself.

"If anything happens to my mom, I won't go on living either!"

Tasha stepped on my hand as she rushed over, grabbing him desperately.

"Nick, don't do anything foolish! Your mom will be fine. We'll go to the hospital right now."

She turned back and drove her high heel viciously into my stomach.

"I've been too lenient with you. That's why you've become so lawless!"

Then she barked an order at the bodyguards.

"Teach him a proper lesson. Make sure he remembers it. Let's see if he dares to bully Nick again!"

What she didn't see was the subtle signal Nick gave the guards.

In the next second, the way they looked at me turned ice-cold.

My voice hoarse, I begged Tasha for help.

"Tasha, save me… they'll kill me!"

She glanced at me indifferently.

"Stop pretending. They'll only make you suffer a little. They won't take your life. Once Nick and I return from the hospital, I'll have you released."

After Tasha left arm in arm with Nick, the bodyguards pulled out several cans of gasoline and doused me from head to toe.

The one in the lead flicked a lighter, his expression vicious.

"You messed with the wrong guy. Go meet your maker."

I struggled desperately, but it was useless. My bloodshot eyes glared at them.

"Aren't you afraid Tasha will kill you if she finds out?!"

The guards burst into laughter.

"Right now, the person Tasha cares about most is Nick. If she knew this was his order, she wouldn't even have the heart to blame him!"

With cruel grins, they tossed the lighter onto me.

Flames surged over my body like a ravenous beast. In despair, I closed my eyes.

'Tasha… farewell.'