Married To My Ex's Brother, Reborn Miraculously-Chapter 189: The abuse

Anne caught the fire still flickering in his eyes and chuckled softly. "So impatient?" she teased. "Can’t even wait till evening?" The heaviness in her heart lifted.

A growl rumbled in his throat. "Don’t provoke me."

With a playful glint in her eyes, she pulled back. "I still have some work to finish," she said coyly. "You’ll have to wait a little longer."

She turned to leave, but before she could take a full step away, Augustine’s arms came around her from behind, drawing her tightly against his chest.

"Don’t go," he whispered as if afraid she’d slip away the moment he let go.

Anne smiled, charmed by his display of neediness. "You have to let me go," she said, turning in his arms to face him. "I’ll wrap things up quickly, leave early, and pack for the trip. And if you are patient, I’ll reward you." Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

"What kind of reward?" He grew interested.

"That’s a surprise," she whispered, standing on her toes to plant a quick kiss on his lips.

As Augustine reached out to hold her again, Anne spun away and dashed to the door, tossing a flirty smile over her shoulder. His arms hung suspended in the air, stilled by her sudden departure. He stood there, watching her disappear with a look of amused surrender.

The tension in his chest melted away.

"Okay," he murmured, his heart lighter. "I’ll wait."

~~~~~~~~~

Lorie stood frozen in the kitchen, her mind tangled in the memory of the mysterious man she had met.

’Could Anne really be from a wealthy family?’ she whispered to herself, trying to make sense of it all. The idea seemed far-fetched.

"No," she muttered, shaking her head. "A rich family wouldn’t abandon their child... It must have been a struggling single mother. Maybe she had no means to raise a child."

She nodded to herself, lost in her theory.

She was so deep in thought, she didn’t notice the smoke wafting from the frying pan until a harsh voice snapped her out of her trance.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Robert’s roar cut through the house like a whip. "Did you burn the damn food again?"

Lorie spun around, suddenly aware of the blackened vegetables sizzling in the pan and the acrid smell filling the air. She rushed to turn off the stove, but it was already too late.

Before she could react, a slap cracked across her cheek.

Stunned, she turned toward him, and another hit came—harder this time. It sent her stumbling backward into the kitchen counter. Her hand accidentally hit the pot of pasta soaking in hot water.

The pot tipped, scalding liquid spilling down her feet.

"Aah!" she cried out, leaping away in pain.

"You can’t even handle one simple task," Robert spat, grabbing her by the hair and yanking her toward him. "I told you my friends were coming over. But you don’t care. You never do. I’ll teach you a lesson."

With a twisted look in his eyes, he shoved her to the floor. In one swift motion, he undid his belt, the leather hissing as it slipped through the loops.

"No, please—wait," Lorie cried, raising both hands in defense.

But her plea came too late. The belt cracked through the air and struck her, a sharp sting blooming across her skin. Robert didn’t stop. He lashed out again and again, each blow harsher than the last.

Lorie dropped to the floor, curling in on herself, arms wrapped over her head. "Please, stop, stop," she sobbed, her voice shaking. "Your friends are coming soon... do you really want them to see this? To see how you abuse your wife?"

Her words pierced the haze of rage, making Robert freeze. His chest rose and fell heavily with each breath, the belt dangling from his clenched fist.

Lorie slowly lowered her arms and looked up at him with tear-soaked eyes. "Please... just listen," she pleaded. "Do you really want them to walk in and find out you are beating your wife?"

Robert’s eyes darkened. The fury only intensified. He gripped the belt harder. "So now you are threatening me?" he growled.

She shook her head quickly, trembling. "No. I’m not. I’m just trying to protect your image. Imagine the shame if they notice the bruises on me."

Robert stood still for a moment, the belt still clutched in his hand, his eyes boring into Lorie. He thought carefully. He couldn’t afford the shame, not in front of his friends.

He let out a sharp breath and sneered. "You better not mess it up again."

"I’ll cook again," Lorie said quickly. "Please... don’t be angry."

His face twisted in contempt. He jabbed a finger in her direction. "One more mistake, and you’ll regret it. I won’t let you off next time."

With that, he stormed out of the kitchen.

Lorie let out a heavy breath, her shoulders sagging as she tried to steady her racing heart. A quiet, pained sound escaped her lips—her body throbbed in protest with every breath, and the burn on her foot flared like fire licking at her skin.

She rubbed her arms, which trembled from the shock and pain. Glancing down, she winced at the angry, blistering red patches where the scalding water had splashed.

Fresh tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She clenched her jaw, swallowing the pain.

"I can’t do this anymore," she whispered. "I have to break free from Robert."

Her thoughts shifted to the mysterious man she had met at the hospital. That man looked wealthy. He was her chance. If she made him believe that Anne was the one he had been looking for, he would pay her enough money to repay Robert.

"I need that pendant."

And Anne?

Lorie believed she would have a chance to get even with her. Her lips curled in bitterness as resentment surged through her.

"You are the reason I’m stuck in this hell. While I suffer, you are out there, enjoying a life of luxury." Lorie’s eyes darkened with quiet determination. "I won’t forgive you for this."