Kicking off her high heels and tossing her bag aside, Su Mu returned home from socializing, and it was nearly midnight. It was only when the hot water cascaded down her body in the shower that Su Mu felt alive again. There was a meeting tomorrow morning, and she didn't have much time to sleep. After a quick wash, she stepped out of the shower.

As she reached for the hairdryer in the cupboard, her eyes inadvertently caught sight of the sanitary pads tucked away in the corner. Calculating the days, her period was already a week late. A sinking feeling rose within her, but before she could sort through her thoughts, a noise came from outside the door, causing Su Mu to frown slightly: Why did he decide to come back today?

By the time Su Mu finished blow-drying her hair and walked out of the bathroom, his coat was tossed on the couch by the window in the bedroom, but he wasn't there; he must have gone to the outside bathroom.

Su Mu didn't wait for him, she just went straight to bed. It was too late, and she was too exhausted. Even though she knew there was a ticking time bomb next to her, she quickly fell asleep anyway.

In a daze, she could feel the mattress sinking around her but before she could open her eyes, she was pinned down.

Su Mu opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was Fu Shinian's impeccable face. Even after nearly 2 years, she still found him attractive. Realizing that his hands were becoming increasingly improper, Su Mu fully woke up and stopped him:

"Fu Shinian, I don't want to today."

"Don't want to?" Fu Shinian narrowed his eyes slightly and let out a cold laugh: "Su Mu, what do you think I came back for tonight? If not this, are we supposed to have a heart-to-heart to foster marital affection? There's none of that between us."

Su Mu felt a pang of pain in her heart, yet she persisted:

"Even if we don't have affection, you can't force me."

"You'd have to be capable of stopping me yourself."

Fu Shinian didn't give Su Mu time to retort. As she tried to stop him, it was already too late. She suddenly remembered the possibility she had considered in the restroom that might stop Shinian, yet she still didn't voice it, fearing she might be overthinking. She didn't know what manner of humiliation Shinian might use against her.

In her momentary daze, Fu Shinian was nearly successful. Usually, Su Mu would concede to him by this point, reluctant to argue with a lunatic. But today, for some unknown reason, she didn't want him to succeed. Unable to bear it any longer, she raised her hand to strike Fu Shinian but he easily blocked her. His eyes turned red, like a ravenous beast, and he flipped her over:

"Fu Shinian, you bastard, don't touch me!"

"Let you go?" He sneered as she cried out in pain, his hand clamping her chin, and he laughed coldly: "Su Mu, haven't you recognized your place yet? You're my wife, and I'll do whatever I want!"

After that, he didn't give her any chance to argue.

Fu Shinian, drunk and beast-like, disdainfully lifted Su Mu's chin.

"Hurts? I forgot you're frigid. Remember the pain tonight; this is the lesson I'm giving you."