A Heart Buried by His Coldness

Every time I miscarry, Adrian Sadler brings home a new woman who eerily resembles his first love. He makes me put the rubber on him, forces me to watch their fevered passion, and then orders me to bring warm water for their intimate cleanup.

I do everything I'm told, begging for just one night a month with him. That is, until I accidentally tear his favorite lover Peggy Olson's lingerie.

That night, Adrian streams my humiliation for the world to see. He drags me onto the bed, twists my body to expose me fully to the camera, and pins me beneath an avalanche of shame.

"Did you think her lingerie was suggestive? What about now? Look at yourself. Do you think you are any better? You love crawling into my bed, don't you? I'll help you get your fill. Maybe one man isn't enough to satisfy you. Why don't I call in ten men tomorrow?"

As punishment, Adrian throws me outside, in my birthday suit, in the courtyard. Blood slowly pools beneath me.

I experience my tenth miscarriage. I look for Derek Sadler and say, "I promised to help your family to repay your kindness. I tried my best. Ten miscarriages later, whatever blessing I once had is gone. I'll never have children again. Today, I've come to say goodbye."

Derek Sadler helped me up. His lips quivered for a long moment before he finally heaved a sigh. He said, "It's the Sadler family's misfortune. We are destined to have no heirs. What a sin."

The old man, who was always so composed, let tears slip down his cheeks. "The Sadler family owes you, Molly. Whatever you want, just say the word."

I lowered my head, clutching the urn to my chest, my gaze hollow. "Let me go."

Derek agreed. Three days later, he arranged for me to leave the country.

When I returned to the villa and pushed open the door, a bucket of icy water crashed down over me.

Peggy Olson strolled over happily and flung a used condom into my face. "Adrian said you should clean this."

It was pointless to clean that. However, I knew that it was just another one of Adrian's attempts to humiliate me. After years of experiencing his cruelty, I had grown numb.

I remembered another time when I had accidentally torn Peggy's stockings while doing the laundry. For that mistake, Adrian ordered someone to rip out my fingernails as punishment.

Feeling numb, I made my way upstairs to clean up the mess they'd left behind in the throes of their passion.

Adrian appeared at the stair landing. He raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Who are you trying to fool with that miserable expression? Didn't you just go complaining to Grandpa? You're so fond of complaining. It seems like you can't keep your mouth shut. Why don't you use your mouth to serve me during the livestream tomorrow night? I'm sure everyone would love to see how skilful you are."

I lowered