Chapter 24
“Rhett, this isn’t redemption.”
“She hurt me, yes–but you were the one who let her. You were worse.”
“And now, what–because you regret it, you want to prove your love by doing the same thing to her? That’s not justice. That’s a cycle. That’s terror.”
Today it’s Faye. Tomorrow, it could be me again. Or someone else.”
“I don’t want that kind of love. That love terrifies me.”
Vivian’s voice cracked. She took a step back, almost hiding behind Caleb.
“I wouldn’t… I swear I wouldn’t-” Rhett stammered. “I only wanted her to apologize to you. If you want me to suffer, I’ll go! I’ll do anything!”
But he didn’t dare step closer. Not when she looked at him like that.
Caleb placed a steadying hand on Vivian’s back, murmuring reassurances.
Then he turned to Rhett.
His expression darkened.
‘Do you really believe what you’re saying?” he asked. “If you wanted to atone, would you need her
permission?”
‘Or are you just too much of a coward to do it on your own?”
Before Rhett could respond, Caleb snapped his fingers.
A group of men stepped out from the shadows.
They seized Rhett without ceremony.
Ropes bound his arms and legs. He struggled–but there was no escape.
“You want to repent?” Caleb said, voice cold.
15:57
I Left My Billionaire Husband… Now His Mafia Rival Claims Me
14.89
Chapter 24
“Then let’s start now.”
Rhett didn’t resist. He simply looked at Vivian, eyes filled with guilt and longing.
“Vivian… I didn’t delay atonement because I refused to pay for my sins,” he said softly, “I just wanted
to find you first. To say I’m sorry. To be with you.”
“If this is what you want… then I’ll accept it, whatever it is.”
He was dragged into the vehicle, and the doors slammed shut. His figure faded from sight,
swallowed by the distance.
Vivian stood still for a moment, then turned to Caleb. “Where are you sending him?”
Caleb’s tone was calm. “To a local prison. Everything’s arranged. Whatever he owes you… he’ll pay it
in full.”
Vivian nodded, expression unreadable. She didn’t care much what became of Rhett anymore. After
all, what he was facing now was nothing more than what he’d once inflicted upon her.
But now, with Rhett gone, Faye stood there–lost.
For a moment, panic filled her face, but it quickly twisted into something else–hope. A flicker of
ambition sparked in her eyes again, like an instinct she couldn’t shake.
She looked Caleb up and down–tall, elegant, composed–and carefully adjusted her expression to look fragile, pitiful, and just the right amount of alluring.
“Sir… could you help me?” she said, voice deliberately soft. “My parents are still in the hospital… Rhett had them restrained and they’re being forced to donate blood regularly. They’re old. They can’t handle this anymore…”
“I’ll give you anything… anything you want.” Her gaze dropped slightly, laced with implication.
But the desperation in her voice had a rasp to it, rough from years of silence and exhaustion. She seemed to forget what she now looked like–malnourished, scarred, and far from the delicate image
she once relied on.
Vivian didn’t respond–not with jealousy or anger. Instead, she simply watched with detached curiosity. She wanted to see what Caleb would do.
If he turned out to be just another man blinded by a woman’s performance… then perhaps he wasn’t
15:57
I Left My Billionaire Husband… Now His Mafia Rival Claims Me
15.1
Chapter 24
worth trusting either.
15:57
