Don't Abandon Me

Under the dim light, Lola's face was utterly defenseless. She lifted her head to look helplessly at Neil Zhao, her voice trembling: "I—I never meant to lie to you, I just..."

"Still making excuses? Lucky for me I'm a light sleeper—otherwise you would've fooled me tonight and gotten away with it!" Neil Zhao pointed at Lola, his face twisted with accusation. "You always act so prim and proper, blushing just from holding hands, but who knew deep down you were just a fraud? You're filthy, you wicked woman. Heaven knows how many men you've been with!"

As Neil Zhao spoke, he snatched up his clothes and turned to leave. Lola's mind was reeling from his fierce expression—like thunder crashing overhead. Panicked, she threw on her own clothes and chased after him, grabbing his sleeve, pleading, "Neil, please, it's my fault, don't go! I swear I never meant to deceive you. It only happened once, when I was a child and sold off... just that one time, I swear!"

Neil Zhao turned back, glaring at Lola like a predator. "You think I'd believe you? We've been together this long and you never mentioned any of this. Now, caught red-handed, you scramble for excuses. Why didn't you say something sooner? I can't even stand to look at you right now. You're just like the rest of the Zhao family—disgusting! Let go. Get out!"

With a harsh jerk, Neil Zhao flung Lola's hand away, spun around, and stormed out under the starlit sky.

Lola scrambled after him, dropping to her knees and hugging Neil Zhao's waist, tears streaming down her face. "Don't go! You're my husband, and I'm your wife. You can't just leave me! Neil, I swear I never lied to you—it was only that one time, when I was just a child, I couldn't fight back... Please, don't go. Can't we just live our lives together, peacefully?"

"Like I'd ever believe your sob story! You're filthy, and just the thought of you sleeping beside me makes me sick!" Neil Zhao snapped, his face flushed with anger, but even with all his fury, he couldn't break free from Lola's martial grip.

Desperate, Neil Zhao raised his hand and—smack!

The slap landed hard across Lola's face.

Lola never expected Neil Zhao would actually hit her. She froze, stunned, and Neil Zhao seized the moment to kick her to the ground.

Lola’s hair was in disarray as she collapsed onto the ground, half her face swollen with five bright red fingerprints.

Instinctively, Lola raised a trembling hand to her cheek and looked up at Neil Zhao, her eyes full of disbelief and confusion.

On their wedding night, he’d hit her?!

Neil Zhao caught Lola’s stunned gaze and, for a moment, panic flickered in his eyes. He knew Lola had been trained as a secret guard—her martial arts were formidable.

But Neil Zhao himself knew no martial arts; in a fight, he’d stand no chance against Lola.

If Lola wanted to fight back now, Neil Zhao felt a wave of fear. He watched her with cautious, probing eyes, uncertain what she would do next.

Lola stared blankly, clutching her swollen cheek. After a long moment, she suddenly began to crawl toward Neil Zhao, sobbing uncontrollably.

Neil Zhao thought Lola was coming to hit him and stumbled back a few steps in fright. But to his surprise, Lola crawled over and hugged his leg, kneeling at his feet, apologizing and pleading through tears: "Husband, it's all my fault. Hit me, scold me—I deserve it. I lost my innocence before marriage, I'm not clean, it's all my fault. Please don't be angry anymore, alright? Husband, I've married you, I'm yours now. Please don't abandon me, okay? Lola has no family, you're the only one she has, the only person in her life. If you leave me too, I'll be alone forever. I truly can't go on without you!"