Jordan froze. I sprang up and drove my knee into his groin with everything I had.
He staggered backward, doubled over in pain.
My mother-in-law stood in the doorway, panting.
When I saw her, hope sparked in my chest.
Back when I agreed to marry Jordan, part of the reason was her—a decent woman, straightforward, no hidden agendas.
"Ma'am… they—they're bullying us!"
She frowned deeply, taking in my filthy, ruined wedding dress.
"Jordan, what is—"
Before she could finish, Jordan pulled her aside and whispered something in her ear.
My mother-in-law's expression shifted—shock to anger to helplessness.
I bit my lip hard. "Mrs. James! Don't listen to Jordan's lies—please help us!"
No one outside dared to come in. She was our only chance.
But the pity in her eyes vanished. Panic replaced it. "Luna, just cooperate! It'll be over soon! I just remembered—I have something to do!"
She fled without looking back.
Bang!
The door swung shut. In that split second, I caught the looks on those men's faces outside.
The door closed, cutting off every last hope for me and my best friend.
I glared at the men in front of me. "Don't push it!"
"Jordan, if you don't want to marry me, just say so! But you can't humiliate me like this!"
He shook his head.
"Luna, I never said I wouldn't marry you. Just be good and finish the game."
Leon snorted. "Jordan, I'm bored with that game. Let's switch to something new."
I bit through my lip, screaming with everything I had. "What else do you want?"
"Animals!"
My best friend and I fought back with all our strength, but we were no match for them.
Jordan didn't refuse. He glanced toward the door.
Something glinted in Leon's eyes. He shoved me onto the bed, his head diving under the wedding dress.
My best friend's clothes were ripped to shreds. Two men pounced on her.
My vision went red. I was on the verge of breaking.
Then—hurried footsteps. The door slammed open.
"I want to see who dares touch anyone from Clearwater Village!"
Everyone froze.
I saw the neighbors rushing in, and the wire-tight tension in my chest finally snapped loose.
Miles Simmons took one look at the state of us and wordlessly shielded me and my best friend behind him. His face was black as thunder.
"Jordan James! This is how you treat people from Clearwater Village?"
His roar made every man who'd been so cocky a moment ago change color.