Chapter 4: Beaten, Betrayed, and Interrupted

I turned to leave, but they chased after me.

Carter grabbed my arm, yanking me back. The beads slipped from his hand, scattering across the floor. He tripped, falling hard.

The crowd gasped. I tried to steady myself, but it was too late—the damage was done.

What was he up to?

I narrowed my eyes, watching him scramble to his feet. He shot me a look full of accusation.

The next second, Marissa slapped me across the face.

The sound echoed through the hall. My cheek stung, but I didn’t move.

"Evan Porter, how dare you hurt Carter!"

Her voice was shrill, full of righteous fury. I barely recognized her.

He whimpered, "Marissa, I'm fine. It's just... the beads..."

He cradled his hand, milking the sympathy for all it was worth.

Marissa finally noticed the beads she'd spent eight million on were scattered everywhere.

She dropped to her knees, frantically gathering them. Her hair fell in her face, tears welling in her eyes.

"Evan Porter, how could you? That's eight million dollars! You couldn't pay that back even if you sold everything you own."

She glared up at me, voice trembling with rage. Carter hovered behind her, looking smug.

"Carter bought those beads to turn my luck around, and now you've ruined everything."

She clutched the broken beads, her hands shaking. The room was silent, everyone watching the drama unfold.

She was hysterical, eyes red. I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her.

For a moment, I saw the girl I’d fallen in love with, lost and desperate. My anger faded, replaced by pity.

"I didn't do it—he set me up. Don't worry, those beads aren't as good as the cross I gave you. Your luck..."

I tried to explain, but she cut me off, her voice sharp as glass.

Before I could finish, she cut me off.

"You, a fraud, dare to compare yourself to Pastor Samuel? Careful you don't hurt yourself bragging like that."

Her voice dripped with contempt. She wouldn’t even look at me.

"You, a fraud, dare to compare yourself to Pastor Samuel? Careful you don't sprain your back boasting like that."

She laughed, a harsh sound that grated on my nerves. The crowd snickered, eager for more drama.

Carter Lee started whining, too. "Brother Evan, I know you don't like me, but Marissa really needs those beads."

He put on his best puppy-dog eyes, voice trembling. It was pathetic.

"How could you destroy them just because you were upset?"

He turned to the crowd, playing the victim. I felt my blood boil.

The more he talked, the angrier Marissa got.

Her face twisted, eyes blazing. She stood, pointing at me. "Someone, teach him a lesson!"

The black-suited bodyguards rushed at me, beating me to the ground.

They swarmed me, fists flying. I tried to fight back, but there were too many. Pain exploded in my ribs, my vision swimming.

I fought back with all my strength, but I was outnumbered. Blood spurted from my mouth.

I tasted iron, my head spinning. I refused to cry out, refused to give them the satisfaction.

Marissa looked a little worried and was about to call them off, but Carter Lee leaned in, putting on his fake concern.

He whispered in her ear, his eyes glinting with malice. She hesitated, torn.

"Marissa, let them stop. Even though Evan destroyed Pastor Samuel's beads, he's still your husband."

He sounded so reasonable, so caring. It was all an act.

The more he spoke, the more twisted Marissa's expression became.

She bit her lip, anger and guilt warring in her eyes. But in the end, anger won.

"I spent eight million on those beads. He needs to learn his lesson today."

Her voice was cold, final. The guards redoubled their efforts, fists pounding into my flesh.

"All of you, hit him harder! What is that, your best?"

Her words were like a whip, driving them on. I curled into a ball, protecting my head.

The bodyguards hit harder and harder, but Marissa didn't see that with every blow, the light around her faded, and her bad luck grew.

I watched her aura dim, the shadows gathering. She didn’t realize she was sealing her own fate.

Carter Lee leaned close to my ear, sneering.

His breath was hot, his words poison. "Don't think you're special just because you got that pastor's invitation. I used a few tricks, and Marissa believes everything I say."

He laughed, low and cruel. "You were married to her for five years and never even touched her hand. But in my bed, she's worn out."

That bastard! I bit down hard on his ear, but Marissa kicked me away.

He howled, blood streaming down his cheek. Marissa shrieked, her foot slamming into my ribs. Pain exploded through me.

"Do you even know what he just said?" I roared, veins standing out in my neck.

I tried to make her see, to force her to listen. My vision blurred, rage and pain mixing.

Carter Lee turned pale, about to lie, but Marissa pulled him away.

She shoved him behind her, shielding him from my fury. Her eyes blazed with hatred.

"He's the father of my child, Evan Porter. You think I'd believe your slander?"

She spat the words, voice trembling with emotion. Carter cowered behind her, nursing his wounded ear.

"Carter was just trying to comfort me, and you bit him—are you even human?"

Her words were sharp, meant to cut. I tasted blood, both mine and his.

"Gag him and beat him. I refuse to believe he can't be taught a lesson!"

She snapped her fingers, and the guards obeyed. Someone shoved a rag in my mouth, muffling my cries.

Fists rained down on me like a storm. One of the guards, probably egged on by Carter, even grabbed a heavy object to smash me.

I saw the brick coming, time slowing to a crawl. I braced for impact, knowing it might be the end.

Right then, thunder crashed—and a woman's voice rang out, sweet but commanding:

"Stop right there! Let's see who dares touch him."

The room fell silent, every head turning toward the doorway. I squinted through swollen eyes, hope flickering in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, my luck was about to change.