Chapter 4
She couldn't even resist Brian's thin, bony frame, let alone Seth.
And while she could throw objects at Brian to defend herself, she couldn't harm Seth in the slightest.
Seth completely disregarded Layla's panic and struggles, effortlessly tearing her underwear apart. His hands gripped her waist as if determined to crush her entire body against his own.
"Seth! It's the first day of my period! We can't!"
When tearing her underwear, Seth had noticed the faint bloodstains on her sanitary pad, but he didn't care. He twisted her neck from behind, kissing her lips forcefully while his teeth bit down on her tongue with such intensity it felt like he wanted to devour her.
Layla felt as though her head would snap from the pressure. Her hands clutched desperately at the sofa throw, her fingernails nearly breaking from the force of her grip.
In the brief moments she could breathe, Layla begged between gasps, "Seth, not today, please... it's really not possible... please..."
"What's not possible? This is perfect. We don't even need protection now." With those words, Seth thrust into her violently, causing Layla to cry out in agony. He showed no mercy, continuing to shatter her body with each powerful movement.
Layla's mouth emitted broken screams and pleas, but Seth acted as if he couldn't hear them, maintaining his powerful rhythm while gripping her hair roughly.
Inadvertently, Layla's gaze caught their reflection in the phone screen, displaying her humiliated state. Her face gradually turned ashen, tears welling in her eyes. Her self-respect was being systematically destroyed, piece by piece. She stopped struggling, allowing Seth to violate her defeated body, as though her soul had been completely extracted.
After what seemed like an eternity, Seth finally climbed off her. By then, she lay like a dead fish, with torn clothing scattered across her skin. If they weren't married, Layla's appearance would suggest she had been sexually assaulted.
Seth dressed himself and glanced at Layla on the sofa. He despised how she looked now—anyone would think he'd just slept with a corpse.
"Don't lie there looking like that. It's disgusting. Get up and take a shower. I'll buy you new clothes to replace the ones I tore." As he spoke, Seth picked up the phone that had been recording and slipped it into his pocket after briefly reviewing the footage.
Layla dragged her heavy body from the sofa, moving awkwardly. Her body felt completely drained of energy, muscles aching, joints stiff, and even breathing had become laborious.
She no longer cared about her half-naked state as she stood and walked toward the stairs like a zombie.
Seth watched Layla's retreating figure with a grave expression but remained silent.
Reaching the bathroom, Layla locked the door and stood before the mirror, staring at her disheveled reflection.
Tears streamed down her face as she took in her appearance—hair tangled, body half-exposed, neck and arms bearing Seth's marks. She looked like a traumatized prostitute, a sight so revolting she couldn't stand to look at herself.
She stripped off the remaining tatters of clothing and stepped into the shower, letting the water cascade over her body while tears mingled with the stream. She covered her face with both hands, crying with suppressed anguish.
She understood Seth's intention clearly—he thought this act would settle everything. He had always seen her as nothing but a simp, someone whose needs could be satisfied merely with sex.
When she emerged from the bathroom about ten minutes later, Seth was sitting in an armchair in the bedroom, reading a newspaper. He had changed clothes, and his hair was slightly damp, suggesting he had showered as well.
Seeing Layla emerge, he frowned with displeasure. "Why did you take so long in the shower?"
Layla looked at him with emotionless eyes and sat at the vanity, mechanically applying moisturizer to her face.
Through the mirror, she saw Seth rise and approach her from behind. The scent of male pheromones mixed with a faint smell of smoke enveloped her as Seth bent down to embrace her from behind.
Layla's body trembled, instinctively wanting to resist, but after just seconds, she grew still.
What was the point of fighting? She couldn't overcome him anyway.
Seth gently inhaled the fragrance of her hair, then slowly moved downward, burying his face in the crook of her neck.
Regarding Layla's body, Seth had to admit he craved it—smooth and delicate, with a natural fragrance that aroused him with just a touch.
"Go to the hospital tomorrow to get checked. As far as I know, occasional intercourse during menstruation isn't harmful, and you've showered, so there's no risk of infection."
Hearing this, a bitter smile flickered across Layla's lips, while her eyes reflected profound helplessness and despair.
"Give me the morning-after pill," She requested quietly, her voice barely audible.
"You don't need it during your period."
"Just in case."
Seth frowned, but Layla met his gaze through the mirror. "Didn't you once say I wasn't worthy of having your child? So we should take precautions."
This statement effectively silenced Seth. His expression shifted slightly, but he still insisted, "You don't need it this time."
Layla ignored him, rising directly to walk to the bedside table. She bent down to open the drawer and swallowed a pill from the bottle without water.
This sequence of actions angered Seth, his brows furrowing deeply. "Are you deliberately defying me?"
"No. You said we should be careful, but you're upset when I take precautions? What do you want?" Layla raised her eyes slightly, speaking without any emotion.
Words rose to his throat but ultimately remained unspoken.
Seth checked his watch—it was nearly nine o'clock. "I'm hungry. Go make me something to eat."
Layla looked at him, her eyes revealing nothing but desolation. She asked, "Can you delete the video now?"
Seth's expression remained composed, utterly nonchalant. "No. If you ever mention divorce again, I'll release the video."
Instantly, Layla's pupils contracted sharply. Her face turned pale as she stood motionless, like a puppet with severed strings.
Seth truly would use any despicable tactic against her.
How much did he hate her?
After a long moment, Layla spoke bitterly, "If you despise me so much, why not divorce me?"
"I never want to hear those words again. You think I don't want to divorce you? Don't flatter yourself. I'm honoring my grandfather's wishes—he made me promise never to divorce you before he died. Otherwise, I would have thrown you out of the Stanton family long ago. You should thank my grandfather!"