From Left Behind to Living Lavish

Chapter 4

I instinctively dropped to my knees, desperate to beg for mercy, but Carter's grip was like iron, locking me in place.

"Is this really how low you've sunk?" His voice was filled with disbelief. "Lindsey, how did you get this pathetic?"

His words cut deep. "The spoiled daughter of the Thomson family, who couldn't even handle the smallest discomfort, now wallowing in filth and even wetting yourself?"

"Do you honestly think this pitiful act will make me forgive you?"

"My father's death, the ten years Amy and I lost, it's all on you! How dare you!"

His eyes burned with rage, and his grip tightened, sending a sharp wave of pain through me.

I bit back the tears, clasping my hands tightly together in a silent plea, hoping he would just let me go.

It was a reflex I'd learned while living on the streets.

Whenever I was beaten, if I begged like this, they usually grew bored and walked away.

But I had forgotten, this was Carter. The one person in the world who hated me more than anyone.

I gasped, my mouth hanging open like a fish out of water.

Panic flooded through me, ready to burst, and I finally screamed, "No! Don't touch me!"

Carter flinched, startled by my outburst, and released me.

I scrambled into the corner, clutching at my shredded clothes, my voice desperate. "Please, I swear I won't bother you again. Just let me go…"

He took a slow step toward me, his lips moving as if he was saying something, but I couldn't hear a word.

It felt like I was back in that nightmare again.

They had destroyed my last bit of dignity, piece by piece.

I couldn't go through that again.

With the last bit of strength I had, I grabbed a fruit knife from the table, aiming it at my chest.

"Lindsey!"

I saw the shock in Carter's eyes, but I smiled.

There was no pain, only a strange, calming relief.

But I missed.

I didn't die.

When I woke up, I found myself in a hospital bed.

Outside the room, I heard a heated argument, the voices of unfamiliar men carrying down the hallway.

I caught fragments of their conversation.

"Lindsey is my wife. What right do you have to stop me?"

"If that's true, Mr. Hall, then I suggest you prepare the divorce papers and settle the assets. Once the little one's awake and recovered, you can finalize it."

"Marcus Dale, you've gone too far!"

Marcus Dale? Could it be him?

Before I could process it, the door opened, and a man in a sharp suit stepped inside.

His dark eyes gleamed with a mix of amusement and concern as he looked at me.

"Well, well, quiet little one. Looks like you really got yourself into some trouble while I wasn't around."