Love Finds Me Again

No one in Harbor City knew that Mia Sterling, the heiress who had once had countless men falling at her feet, couldn't even get her own husband, Mark Hayes, interested in her after they got married. The most humiliating time was when Mark had taken medication and still showed no reaction whatsoever. Mia curled up on the bed, her tears soaking into the pillow. Mark simply got up and calmly dressed. "Sorry, Mia. I still can't get aroused with you." They had been married for five years. And in those five years, he had said some version of that sentence more than eighteen hundred times. At their last family dinner, both sets of parents had started pressuring them to have a baby. But Mark wouldn't even touch her. Mia began tormenting herself with doubts. Was she really that unattractive to him? After struggling with the thought all night, she finally went to the most exclusive private club in the capital, determined to learn a few tricks from its most sought-after stripper. She handed the hostess a card. "Teach me everything you know." The stripper arched a brow, genuine surprise flashing in her eyes. "This is the first time I've had a socialite come to me for lessons." Chapter 1 The stripper didn't refuse. She took the card, her tone playful. "Come on. Just follow my lead." With that, she dropped to her knees in front of Mia. She arched her back, ran her tongue lightly over her red lips, and let out a breathy, seductive moan. Even Mia's face turned red just listening to her. Mia opened her mouth. But she couldn't even bring herself to make a sound. Seeing her like this, the stripper snorted. "You're the one who came here to learn, but you're also the one too embarrassed to do anything." She straightened and idly played with the card between her fingers. "Are rich women always this difficult?" "You're an heiress. Why are you learning this stuff from me anyway?" Then, as if making casual conversation, she added, "There's this researcher too. For five years straight, he's been buying medication from a friend of mine to suppress his sex drive." "You tell me. He's a married man. Why would he deliberately make himself seem impotent?" At those words, Mia instinctively thought of Mark. But she only smiled and dismissed the thought. "People actually do that?" "Apparently." The stripper shrugged. "He's still pretty young too. I heard he's even the chief researcher." Mia's expression froze. Everything else could have been a coincidence. But there was only one chief researcher. Mark Hayes. Why? Even if it really was him, why would he do something like that? "Miss? "Miss, are we still doing this?" The stripper called to her several times before Mia suddenly snapped back to reality. She grabbed her purse and stood. "Not today." Then she hurried straight to the research institute. The moment she reached the door to Mark's private lab, she heard voices coming from inside. "Your latest physical came back. I picked up the report for you. "The doctor said you need to stop taking that medication. "And what happened with Professor Lane and Mia back then was never proven to be something Mia made up. "Even if you like Sienna Lane, do you really have to punish Mia like this just to get revenge for her?" The man placed the report in front of Mark. Mark didn't stop operating the equipment in front of him. Even when he saw the abnormal results on the report, he didn't so much as frown. Instead, he gave a cold, mocking laugh. "I trust Professor Lane's character. "And I trust Sienna even more. "Mia liked me. Back then, she was constantly targeting Sienna because of it. "Once she found out her own professor was Sienna's father, she even accused Professor Lane of sexually assaulting her. "She destroyed Sienna's family and turned them into a public disgrace." His voice grew colder. "Doesn't Mia like accusing people of wanting her? "Then I wanted her to understand exactly what she is. "Even if she stripped naked and threw herself at me, I still wouldn't feel a thing." The other man looked unsettled. He studied Mark's indifferent expression and let out a quiet sigh. "That's brutal. "Mia loves you that much. "For years, she's blamed herself for not being able to give you a normal married life. "She doesn't have any of the pride she had back when she was chasing you. "She practically walks on eggshells around you now." Mark gave a cold laugh. "That's nothing compared to what she did to Sienna." Mia couldn't hear the rest. She stumbled backward several steps. Her entire body shook so badly she could barely remain standing. So that was the truth. Professor Lane. Sienna's father. Tears burned at the corners of Mia's eyes. For most of her life, she had lived however she pleased. She had always known she was beautiful. Men had fallen for her wherever she went. The only person she had ever failed to win over was Mark Hayes. Back then, Mark had only just joined the research institute as an ordinary junior researcher. The first time Mia saw him, she was drawn to him immediately. She pursued him openly and without hesitation. But Mark was nothing like the other men she had known. Not only was he completely unaffected by her attention, he actively avoided her. Instead of discouraging Mia, that only made her more determined. She told everyone she liked him. She rented every billboard in Harbor City just to announce it. She followed him from one academic conference to another even though she had absolutely no interest in any of them. At a family dinner, she even announced in front of everyone that Mark was the only man she would ever marry. None of it earned her so much as an extra glance from him. He was like an iceberg that refused to melt. There had only ever been one exception. Sienna Lane. Mark could barely be bothered to look at Mia. But whenever Sienna was around, his gaze always seemed to find her. Eventually, Mia began to lose hope. At a class reunion, she had been miserable and drank far too much. That night, her professor, Sienna's father, sexually assaulted her. Just when Mia thought no one would come, Mark was the first person to arrive and save her. Even though the assault had been stopped before it went any further, Mia still pressed charges. Professor Lane's reputation was destroyed. Not long after he was released from prison, he took his own life. But Mia had never imagined that in Mark's eyes, she had framed him. Mark had seen it with his own eyes. He had been the one who came to save her. And when everyone else had mocked and judged her afterward, he had been the one who stepped forward, taken her hand, and gone with her to the courthouse. So why was he doing this to her now? Had he married her only so he could take revenge more effectively? Had every sign of affection been nothing more than another way to humiliate her? Mia bit down hard on her lower lip. Never in her life had she felt so ridiculous. For five years of marriage, she had loved him exactly the same way. She had tortured herself with guilt because she couldn't give him a normal sex life. She had even thrown away her pride and gone to a private club to learn how to seduce her own husband. And in the end, Mark had never loved her at all. Everything he had done had been for Sienna. Pain tore through Mia's chest as though her heart were being ripped apart. Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes, only to dry in the wind. By the time she walked out of the research institute, her eyes burned so badly she could no longer cry. A few minutes later, she started the car. She drove all the way across the city without stopping. Finally, she pulled to a stop outside the Sterling family chapel. Chapter 2 The moment Mia stepped into the family chapel, she went straight to her father. "Dad, I want a divorce from Mark." Mr. Sterling's voice immediately rose, his face darkening. "What are you trying to pull now?" "Have you forgotten what you went through five years ago just to marry Mark Hayes? You begged me to break off your engagement to the Lawson family, and you took ninety-nine lashes for it." "And now you want a divorce?" "Mia, marriage isn't some game you can play whenever you feel like it." Mia slowly closed her eyes. A sharp pain stabbed through her chest. Five years ago, she had stood in this very chapel. She had cried and begged her father to call off her engagement to the Lawson family and let her marry Mark instead. Back then, she had been pampered her entire life. Even the slightest injury could make her cry. But whenever she thought of Mark, she gritted her teeth and endured all ninety-nine lashes. By the end, her back had been torn open and covered in blood. She had collapsed onto the floor, unable to get up. And yet she had still smiled at her father and said, "Dad, now I can marry him." Mia opened her eyes. There wasn't a trace of emotion left in them. "I haven't forgotten." "That's exactly why I need to divorce him." Seeing that there was no changing her mind, Mr. Sterling grew even angrier. "You want a divorce? Fine." "According to Sterling family rules, any married child who wants a divorce has to roll across the bed of nails three times." Mia let out a soft laugh. There was no warmth in it. Only bone-deep sorrow. "Fine." Mr. Sterling waved a hand and ordered the staff to prepare it. A bed covered in densely packed iron spikes was carried into the chapel. The long, sharp points gleamed coldly beneath the lights. Just looking at them was enough to make anyone's stomach turn. "You still have time to change your mind." "I won't." Without the slightest hesitation, Mia lay down. The sharp spikes instantly tore through her clothes and pierced her skin. Agony exploded through her body. It felt as though thousands of knives were carving through her at once. Her entire body trembled uncontrollably. She bit her lips until all the color drained from them, but she refused to make a sound. Once. Twice. Every movement felt as though the spikes were grinding through her flesh. By the time she finished the third time, Mia forced herself off the bed of nails despite the excruciating pain. Her face was as white as paper. Blood had soaked through her dress. But not a single tear fell. Mr. Sterling stared at his daughter, who looked as though she might collapse at any moment. Finally, he relented. "I'll have the lawyer prepare the papers. "In seven days, your divorce will be finalized." "Thank you, Dad." Mia's voice was hoarse. Using the last of her strength, she walked out of the chapel one step at a time. Every movement sent tearing pain through her body. And yet, for the first time in years, her heart felt light. The lawyer soon brought the divorce agreement to her. Mia didn't hesitate for even a second. She signed her name without looking back. After the lawyer left, she went upstairs alone and entered the master bedroom. She took out the first-aid kit and stood in front of the mirror to treat her wounds. The instant the cold ointment touched the broken skin, Mia sucked in a sharp breath. Her fingers began trembling uncontrollably. She gritted her teeth and applied the medication little by little. Cold sweat dampened the hair along her forehead. In a daze, she suddenly remembered what had happened five years ago. Back then, news of the assault had spread everywhere. Everyone had been waiting to watch her fall apart. But at the most humiliating moment of her life, the man she had always believed would remain an untouchable iceberg had stepped forward and stood in front of her. Mark had begun staying by her side with the same persistence Mia had once shown when pursuing him. When she threw the medication he brought her onto the floor, he quietly picked it up. Then he came back the next day with more. When she broke down and lashed out at him, he never argued. He only said softly, "I believe something terrible happened to you." And when Mark placed the keys to the home he had spent everything he had to buy into her palm, Mia's heart finally gave in. She agreed to marry him. Back then, she had thought she had finally gotten everything she had ever wanted. She had married the man she loved. She never imagined it had all been part of a carefully planned revenge. Now the dream was over. And it was time for her to leave. After treating her wounds, Mia changed into clean clothes. A soft knock came at the bedroom door. "Mrs. Hayes," the housekeeper called from outside. "Mr. Hayes still isn't home. Dinner is ready. Would you like to eat first, or wait for him?" Mia instinctively glanced out the window. Only then did she realize it was already evening. In the past, she had always waited for Mark to come home before eating. Even when the food went completely cold, even when hunger made her stomach ache, she still insisted on waiting. But this time, she didn't want to wait anymore. "Don't wait for him." She paused. "Not tonight. "Not ever again." Chapter 3 Mia quietly finished dinner. The wounds all over her body burned so badly that she went upstairs early and lay down. In the middle of the night, her phone suddenly began vibrating nonstop beside her pillow. The screen lit up with one name. Marianne Hayes, Mark's mother. Mia had barely answered when her mother-in-law's shrill voice came blasting through the phone. "The hospital called me because they couldn't reach you, and you're still lying around at home? "Don't you know Mark got into a fight and ended up in the hospital?" Mia opened her mouth to respond, but Marianne immediately shouted over her. "I must have been blind to let you marry into the Hayes family! "You've been spoiled your whole life. You're lazy, selfish, and you don't know the first thing about being a proper wife! "Mark works himself to the bone while you stay home enjoying yourself. Now he's injured and in the hospital, and you're still lying there like you couldn't care less. "Get to the hospital right now and take care of him!" The call ended abruptly. The harsh dial tone rang in Mia's ear. She pressed her lips together, her nails digging deep into her palms. It wasn't as though she had never tried. She was the treasured heiress of the Sterling family. She had grown up surrounded by people who adored her. Yet for Mark, she had broken off an engagement and defied her father. After they married, she had put aside all the pride she once had and taught herself to be gentle and considerate. She waited for him until late at night, day after day. She remembered everything he liked. She tolerated his coldness. She endured the distance he constantly put between them. She had given him everything she had for five years. And what had she gotten in return? A quiet, bitter laugh escaped her throat. Fine. If nothing she did could ever earn his love, then she didn't want any of it anymore. Expressionless, Mia powered off her phone and tossed it aside. Then she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep. The next morning, she turned her phone back on. A trending-news alert immediately popped up on the screen. 'Ice-Cold Chief Researcher Loses His Cool for Love: Mark Hayes Hospitalized After Fight Over Mystery Woman' The photo was blurry. But it was still clear enough to show Mark shielding a woman in his arms. Mia's finger paused over the screen. She had already decided to divorce him. But until the paperwork was finalized, she was still Mrs. Hayes. If she refused to show up at all, the media would inevitably start speculating. And that could drag the Sterling family into unnecessary gossip. After getting ready, Mia drove to the hospital. The moment she pushed open the door to the VIP room, the sight inside hit her like a slap. Sienna was holding an insulated food container and spoon-feeding Mark homemade soup. Her movements were gentle and intimate. And Mark, who had always been cold and distant toward Mia, sat there with his eyes lowered, looking at Sienna with a tenderness Mia had never once received in five years of marriage. When Sienna noticed Mia, she startled and quickly pulled her hand back. "Mia, don't misunderstand." Her explanation came out hurriedly. "Mark was having dinner with some friends last night when he saw someone harassing me. He only got hurt because he stepped in to help." Mia stood there, finding the whole thing almost laughable. So Mark had gotten into a fight for Sienna. She suddenly remembered the first business dinner she had ever attended with him. One of the men had gotten drunk and started touching her. His hand had even slid around her waist. Mia had frozen. Helpless, she had looked toward Mark beside her. He had seen everything. But instead of standing up for her, the first thing he had done was calmly explain the pros and cons. "He didn't actually do anything serious to you. Even if you go to the police, he'll probably only get a warning or spend a few days in custody." "If you make a big deal out of it, it could hurt you more than him." "Just let it go." The man who had once told her to let it go had now gotten into a fight for Sienna. Mia looked away. Her voice held no warmth at all. "It's fine." "Thank you for taking care of him for me." "But next time, I hope you can take better care of yourself instead of dragging other people into your problems." Sienna froze. Her eyes immediately turned red. "I'm sorry, Mark." "I caused trouble for you again." Mark's brows drew together. Something stirred faintly in his chest, but he quickly suppressed it. He turned a cold expression toward Mia. "This had nothing to do with Sienna." "That man harassed her first. I wasn't going to stand there and do nothing." Mia didn't argue. Her gaze merely swept over the way their arms were pressed together without the slightest space between them. When she spoke, her tone was so calm it sounded as though none of this had anything to do with her. "I know." "She doesn't have anyone else to rely on, and you've always been her senior." "Of course you should look out for her." Mark went still. He clearly hadn't expected that reaction. In the past, even if Mia hadn't caused a scene, the hurt would have been written all over her face. But now, there was nothing there at all. Chapter 4 Mia's unusual calmness irritated Mark for reasons he couldn't explain. He decided to get straight to the point. "Sienna has nowhere to go right now. I'm planning to bring her into the research institute as my assistant." The words pierced straight through the most vulnerable part of Mia's heart. She had asked him so many times if she could join the institute as his assistant. She hadn't wanted anything more than to be closer to him and take care of him herself. But every single time, he had rejected her without hesitation. "You're not suited for it." Sienna wasn't nearly as qualified as Mia, yet she was being handed the position Mia had once begged for. Mia gave a faint smile. "She's your assistant. You can make your own arrangements. You don't need to ask me." After all, they wouldn't have anything to do with each other soon. After leaving the hospital, Mia stopped asking about Mark altogether. She had already discussed her plans with her father. Once the divorce was finalized, she would move to the capital and take over the Sterling Corporation branch there. To help her familiarize herself with the business ahead of time, her father put her in charge of one of the company's core technology projects, including its upcoming product launch. Mia stopped paying attention to Mark. But news alerts about him and Sienna kept appearing on her phone. 'Mark Hayes attended major business dinners with Sienna Lane.' 'Mark publicly praised Sienna at an international summit.' 'Mark introduced Sienna to some of the most influential figures in their field.' In the past, even seeing Mark in the same photo as another woman would have sent Mia into a panic. She would have immediately gone looking for him and demanded to know what their relationship was. Now, she simply swiped the notifications away and went back to reading her files. The product launch was held that morning. Reporters packed the venue. Dressed in a sharp business suit, Mia stood onstage and confidently presented the company's core technology. Thunderous applause filled the room. But after the launch ended, Mia had barely settled into the backstage lounge when the door suddenly flew open. She looked up. Mark walked in with Sienna beside him. His expression was cold. And it grew even colder when his eyes landed on Mia. "Mia. "Explain this." Before she could respond, Mark slapped a project report onto the table. Mia opened it. The color immediately drained from her face. The technology described in the report was identical to the core technology Sterling Corporation had just unveiled. But the name on the report was Sienna Lane. "Mark, I didn't know anything about this. "The technology was developed by our company's R&D team. I was only responsible for overseeing the project and handling today's launch." Mark went silent for a moment. Then a cold laugh escaped him. "Only Sienna and I knew about this research. "And you're the only person who had the opportunity to see it through me. "So tell me, Mia. "How am I supposed to believe you had nothing to do with this?" Mia fell silent. Her clenched fingers loosened, then tightened again. Several times, she tried to think of an explanation. Nothing came. Before she could speak, Sienna covered her face and began quietly sobbing. "Mark, please don't blame Mia. "It's my fault. "I know my family wronged her. "I'm fine. If Mia likes the research that much, she can have it. "Consider it a gift from me." Her tearful words snapped the last thread of Mark's restraint. His gaze turned even colder. For the first time, barely suppressed anger entered his voice. "You have two choices. "Either make a public apology and admit you plagiarized Sienna's work, "or I'll deal with this my own way." Mia curled her fingers tightly into her palms. She drew a deep breath and shook her head, her voice hoarse. "I didn't do it. "And I'm not admitting to something I didn't do." Mark's jaw tightened instantly. "Fine." That was all he said. He didn't argue further. He simply turned and left with Sienna. By that afternoon, the internet had exploded. 'Chief Researcher Mark Hayes Accuses Wife of Plagiarism' 'Sterling Corporation Accused of Stealing Research' 'Research Institute Chief Publicly Defends Colleague' Mark put his professional reputation behind a public statement. Every word pointed directly at Mia, accusing her of knowingly stealing Sienna's research. Public opinion turned against her almost instantly. Sterling Corporation's stock price plummeted. Mr. Sterling called Mia again and again, asking what was happening. Mia suddenly felt exhausted. "Dad, don't worry." She closed her eyes for a moment. "I'll go talk to Mark." Chapter 5 Mia drove straight to the research institute. The moment she pushed open the door to the lounge, she saw Sienna leaning against Mark, while he looked down at her and spoke softly, comforting her. Mia lowered her eyes. Her fingers curled slightly as she forced down every emotion before walking over. "Mark, what gives you the right to blame me without even investigating what happened?" He looked up at her, his expression calm and his voice cold. "Because Sienna is the victim. "Her work was stolen, and no one else was willing to stand up for her. "You went after Sienna first, Mia. "I'm just getting back at you for her in my own way." Mia's chest tightened painfully. "Of course, you don't have to admit it." Mark's tone remained casual. "But what happens to Sterling Corporation after this, and whether your father's health can withstand the stress, isn't up to me." Mia froze. Her back went rigid. Then, little by little, helplessness took over. She couldn't gamble with the company her father had spent his entire life building. After a long silence, she finally spoke, her voice hoarse. "I'll make a public statement admitting that I plagiarized Sienna's research." Only then did Sienna hurry forward and reach out to support her. "Mia, I knew you'd realize you were wrong. "I don't blame you. I really don't." Mia sharply knocked her hand away. Without looking at either of them again, she turned and walked out. The next day, Mia posted a public statement admitting that she had plagiarized Sienna's research. Sienna issued her own statement soon afterward. 'This happened because of a personal conflict between Mia and me. Sterling Corporation had nothing to do with it, and I've already forgiven Mia.' The internet erupted. At first, people everywhere attacked Mia for stealing someone else's research. Her comment section was flooded with insults and mockery. But as the story gained more attention, someone dug up the old scandal involving Mia and Professor Lane. The moment one particular comment appeared, the internet seemed to go quiet. 'No wonder Mia hates Sienna so much. I suddenly understand where she's coming from.' Soon after, sharp-eyed users began circulating recent photos of Mark and Sienna appearing together again and again. No one expected the situation to escalate so quickly. Before long, public opinion began to shift. 'This is disgusting. If I were Mia and my own husband got this close to the daughter of the man who assaulted me, I'd hate her too.' 'Sienna really knows how to play innocent. She acts like the victim while getting close to someone else's husband and ruining his wife's life.' Mia ignored all of it. She would be leaving soon. She didn't even know when she would return to Harbor City again. Before she left, she wanted to visit her mother's grave. While she waited at a flower shop for her bouquet to be wrapped, the giant screen in the plaza outside began broadcasting an interview with Mark. The reporter held out a microphone. "Dr. Hayes, there have been rumors that you and Ms. Lane are involved in an inappropriate relationship. How do you respond?" Mark faced the camera without the slightest hesitation. "There's nothing inappropriate between Sienna and me. "I look after her for two reasons. "First, she's my junior at the institute, and she has no one else to rely on. "Second, I'm trying to make up for what my wife did to her family." The reporter looked confused. "What your wife did?" Mark's eyes darkened slightly. His expression suggested reluctant resignation. "At this point, there are some things I can no longer keep quiet about. "Professor Lane never sexually assaulted Mia. "She was pursuing me at the time, and because she was jealous of how close Sienna and I were, she deliberately framed Professor Lane." Then Mark played an audio recording. Mia's voice came first. "Professor Lane, take your daughter and get out of Harbor City. Otherwise, don't blame me for what happens next." Then came Professor Lane's voice. "Mia, I'm sorry, but I can't agree to that. "You're one of my best students. If I can give you one piece of advice as your professor, let him go." Everyone in the plaza stopped walking. The recording went silent for several seconds. Then Mia's voice came again with a cold laugh. "We'll see about that." The recording ended abruptly. Mark looked directly into the camera. "That's what really happened. "Professor Lane was falsely accused." Mia stared at the screen in disbelief. She had never said any of those things. Just then, a florist approached with her bouquet. The moment the employee got a clear look at Mia's face, her eyes widened. "You're Mia Sterling?!" Chapter 6 The florist's startled cry instantly drew the attention of everyone nearby. "So you're the woman who falsely accused someone's father of sexual assault? "You couldn't get the man you wanted, so you destroyed an entire family. You're disgusting! "Dr. Hayes has contributed so much to the field. How did he end up marrying a woman like you?" A rotten egg suddenly flew out of the crowd and smashed against Mia. She wasn't hurt. But the foul smell and the sticky egg running down her clothes were humiliating enough. Mia's entire body went cold. "I didn't falsely accuse anyone!" Her voice cracked as she shouted. But her denial sounded weak against the furious crowd. No one believed her. So this was Mark's ultimate revenge? He was going to destroy her reputation piece by piece until she ended up exactly like Professor Lane? Her denial only made the crowd angrier. "You're unbelievable! The evidence is right there, and you're still denying it! "You drove Professor Lane to his death. You're a murderer!" A rock suddenly flew through the air and struck Mia squarely in the forehead. Blood immediately streamed down her brow, blurring her vision. Then more things began flying at her. People shoved forward from every direction. Someone pushed her hard, sending her crashing to the ground. Mia curled into herself helplessly and raised her arms to protect her head. It wasn't until the florist frantically called the police that the crowd finally scattered. Mia struggled to her feet. Bruises covered every exposed patch of skin, and blood was still seeping from the wound on her forehead. "Do you want us to take you to the hospital?" the florist asked anxiously. "Thank you, but no." Mia shook her head. She went to the hospital alone and had the wound treated. As she walked out, her attorney called. "Ms. Sterling, your divorce has been finalized. You just need to pick up the certified decree from the courthouse." The tension Mia had carried for days finally loosened. She let out a long breath. "Okay." The call hadn't even ended when a sharp pain exploded at the back of her head. Something heavy had struck her. Her vision went black. She lost consciousness instantly. When Mia opened her eyes again, her wrists and ankles were tightly bound with coarse rope. The air smelled of mold, rust, and stagnant water. It looked like an abandoned warehouse. Two rough-looking men stood in front of her. One had a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. He gave her a vicious grin. "Awake, Ms. Sterling?" Mia's heart clenched. She forced herself to stay calm. "How much do you want? "The Sterling family will pay whatever you ask." "Money?" The kidnapper sneered, his eyes turning vicious. "We're here to collect a life. "You drove Professor Lane to his death. "Today, you're going to pay for his life with yours." Mia felt every drop of blood in her body turn cold. She remembered what Mark had said about avenging Sienna. So ruining Mia's reputation hadn't been enough. He wanted her dead too. Despair swallowed her whole. Her entire body went cold, and she didn't even have the strength to struggle. Mark really hated her that much. She had once believed that after five years of sharing a home and a bed, he must have developed at least some feelings for her. But nothing she had suffered before compared to the pain of this realization. The kidnapper saw how pale she had become and assumed she was terrified. He grabbed a fistful of her hair and dragged her across the floor. The rough concrete scraped her skin raw. The wounds on her back from the bed of nails split open again. The smell of blood mixed with the moldy air. "You destroyed Professor Lane. "You should've known you'd have to pay with your life!" They dragged her to the edge of a foul-smelling pool of wastewater. One of the men forced her head down. Again and again, he plunged her face into the black, filthy water. Panic and suffocation tore through her. Dirty water flooded her nose and throat, making her entire body convulse in pain. Mia closed her eyes. She stopped struggling completely. Blood filled her mouth. Even the black water around her began to turn red. Just as her consciousness was about to disappear, the warehouse doors burst open. With the last of her strength, Mia forced her eyes open. Her father stood there, his face filled with panic. "Get my daughter out of there!" The kidnappers were quickly subdued. Someone cut Mia free. But she was too weak to stand. She collapsed onto the floor, clutching her chest as violent coughs racked her body. Mr. Sterling hurried over and supported her. "I'm taking you to the hospital." Mia pushed his hand away. Her gaze was unusually firm. "My divorce papers…" Mr. Sterling froze. Then he quickly took out the certified divorce decree and handed it to her. "Mark's copy has already been delivered to him." The moment Mia heard that, a relieved smile finally appeared on her face. "Dad… "Have the plane take me straight to the capital." She never wanted to stay in Harbor City again. And she never wanted to see Mark Hayes again. As the plane climbed through the clouds, Mia turned toward the window. Harbor City grew smaller and smaller beneath her. She rested her head against the glass. Then slowly closed her eyes.