Chapter 1

On Christmas, my darling locked me in a pitch-black dungeon.

The women guarding me took turns "educating" me.

They carved words into my skin, branded various patterns with red-hot irons, and made me bark like a dog while stepping on my face with their high heels.

They even stripped me of my manhood's dignity.

All of this, just because of something told by Vivienne's pure love who had returned back to the States.

Nails pierced my thighs, the sharp pain yanking me back from my thoughts.

The flickering flames before my eyes gradually dimmed.

All I could hear were the women's mockery and curses.

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"Hey, you worthless piece of trash, wake up!"

I was jolted awake from my daze by a splash of ice-cold water, the harsh light stinging my eyes.

In the next moment, my face was ground against by a high heel.

The pain of broken bones instantly cleared my mind.

"Who would've thought that Young Master Gevano would one day be reduced to a plaything for others to abuse?"

"I remember when he used to be so arrogant he wouldn't even deign to look at me."

The women's voices swirled around me like an evil incantation, making my whole body tremble involuntarily.

"Come on, let's hear you bark."

"Woof woof..."

I obeyed instinctively, fearing that a second's delay would bring inhuman torture.

My pants were wet.

For countless days and nights, I had been tortured by them in turns, and losing control of my bladder had become the norm.

They simultaneously covered their noses and mouths, looking at me with the same disgust reserved for garbage.

"What a useless piece of shit."

"When you get out, you know what to say and what not to say, right?"

I trembled all over in fear, looking at them in terror, not daring to reply.

They had tricked me plenty of times before, giving me hope of leaving, but each time it only led to more brutal torture.

My will had been worn away to nothing through days and nights of humiliation.

"Lowlife."

Cursing, they changed my clothes and led me out of the dungeon. The blinding light made it impossible for me to open my eyes for a long time, and the intense ringing in my ears left me feeling dizzy and disoriented.

"Dashiell, open your eyes and look at me!"

The voice I had been longing to hear day and night now filled me with panic as I heard it.

Struggling to open my eyes, I saw Vivienne wearing an expensive dress, leaning against a pink Rolls-Royce, looking down at me with an air of wordless disdain.

It seemed to be autumn now. I had been locked in the dungeon for two whole seasons...

"Ma'am, Ms Shaw..."

Vivienne frowned slightly, looking at me accusingly: "Why is your face all marked up?"

The women who had been guarding me quickly explained: "Ms. Shaw, Mr.Gevano has delicate skin. He often gets allergic reactions and scratches himself."

Vivienne continued to stare at me, her voice cold: "Are you really that fragile?"

My heart trembled as I swallowed the bitterness.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw those women, like demons, warning me with their glares.

"Yes, I'm sorry for worrying you. I, I deserve to die..."

As I spoke, I started slapping myself.

During the days and nights in the dungeon, I had developed a conditioned reflex.

"Shut up, that will do!"

"Dashiell, what are you doing now?" "Keep threatening me like that and you'll end up back in the dungeon!"

I froze in terror, my whole body trembling as I begged, "No, please don't send me back there. I'll do anything you say, anything at all..."

Vivienne looked at me with a satisfied smile.

"Looks like throwing you in the dungeon was the right call after all. You've certainly been trained to be obedient."

I numbly lowered my head and got into the car at her gesture.

But in the rearview mirror, I saw the disgust in the driver's eyes as he looked at me.

I glanced furtively at Vivienne beside me. She seemed even more elegant and beautiful than before.

Back then, even though our marriage was arranged by our families, I always believed she loved me.

Until her childhood sweetheart returned from abroad and she asked me to pick him up from the airport for Christmas Eve dinner.

But he falsely accused me of hitting him with my car, causing him to lose the use of one leg.

Vivienne was so furious that she refused to hear any explanation from me, and had me locked in the dungeon to reflect.

She gave only one instruction to those guarding me:

Use any means necessary, just don't kill me.