C15 Don't Spend Money on Women.

Edna had no idea how long she'd been asleep, but when she awoke, darkness enveloped the room. Gazing through the window, the nocturnal cityscape was vividly visible, signaling to her that night had fallen.

The room was bathed in a chilly moonlight, casting a pall of sorrow over Edna's mind.

Her shirt, now missing buttons courtesy of Helmer, was knotted at the hem. Rising from the bed, she was fine until she moved, and then a sharp, tearing pain coursed through her body.

Seeing light from Helmer's office was unexpected. Hesitating briefly, Edna approached and knocked.

The silence of the night was shattered by her knock, jolting Helmer from his reverie. He paused before inviting her in with a neutral voice, "Come in."

Edna entered to find Helmer at his computer.

"Mr. Andrews, could you tell me the time?" Edna asked awkwardly, her hands fidgeting for a place to rest. Her phone was left in the office, and the lounge lacked even a clock.

"9:30 PM," Helmer responded, casting a fleeting glance at his computer before his gaze settled on Edna. Her improvised outfit caught his attention.

Helmer's stare lingered on her torso, causing Edna's cheeks to flush and her hands to clench into tighter fists.

Did he have the audacity to stare after what he'd done to her?

If not for Helmer, she wouldn't be in such a disheveled state.

At 9:30 PM, it seemed they were the only two left in the vast expanse of the Andrews Group.

Helmer usually worked late, but not this late. A suspicion crept into Edna's thoughts, "Mr. Andrews? Are you still here because of me?"

She bit her lip, pondering the question to herself.

She was all too aware of her own condition. She'd caught a chill the previous night, and upon waking this morning, she was beset by a headache and bouts of cold shivers.

Helmer had been excessively harsh with her, and after that, her memory was a blank slate.

Yet upon awakening, she discovered the remnants of medical tape on her hands from an IV drip.

"Do you really think so?" Helmer countered, his question causing an inexplicable tightness in Edna's chest and a dryness in her throat.

Setting aside his work, Helmer clicked a few keys on his computer, and soon the sound of it shutting down reached Edna's ears.

Seemingly certain she wouldn't respond, Helmer looked up at her with a frosty voice, "You're my woman now. You're not allowed to die until I'm done with you."

They had spent four years together, and after that time, Edna went abroad.

Before leaving, she would always watch him from a distance, never approaching without his command. Helmer was aware that back then, Edna wouldn't have dared.

At the auction, she had been sitting next to Burke, but upon seeing Helmer, Edna chose to leave.

Her gaze had changed when she looked at him, different from three years prior. Helmer had suddenly realized that Edna no longer felt the need to be near him.

Edna was speechless, her striking eyes fixed on him.

Despite the humiliating nature of his words, Helmer spoke them as if they were the most natural thing in the world, and Edna couldn't help but be impressed by his audacity.

Helmer rose to his feet and, in a swift motion, reached out and grasped Edna's collar, yanking her forward so that her abdomen slammed against the table.

Edna winced in pain. Moments before, their conversation had been civil, and she hadn't done anything to provoke Helmer's anger, yet he had acted so abruptly.

The man was truly capricious.

Helmer closed the distance between them, an office desk the only barrier. With one hand clutching her clothes and the other pressed against the table, he leaned in.

"Your life belongs to me, and your heart must never harbor thoughts of another man."

Remembering how she had complimented Emit and disparaged him, Helmer felt a murderous rage, unable to quell the storm in his heart despite the passage of time.

Edna, only as tall as his shoulder, found the position uncomfortable.

A heavy silence fell before Helmer finally released his grip on her clothes.

Her button had already been broken, and now, with Helmer's tug, the knot beneath her clothes came undone.

Embarrassment flushed Edna's face.

He shrugged off his jacket and tossed it over Edna's head. "Put this on. I'm taking you shopping for new clothes."

"No need. Once I get home..."

Edna's words were abruptly cut off by Helmer's cold command, "Shut up."

Three years ago, Edna had always been compliant with him. Now, her defiance was a source of irritation for Helmer.

He had lavished money on this woman, only to be spurned by her.

...

At this hour, most stores had already shut their doors. It was a challenge to find one still open, and those that were had price tags way beyond Edna's reach.

Each item cost about two months of her salary.

Helmer, with his usual disregard for expense, selected several garments and tossed them to the attendant, then directed Edna, "Get changed."

The attendant presented a red gown and gestured politely, "Miss, please follow me."

Inside the dressing room, the attendant assisted Edna with the gown, zipping her up with attentive care. Edna mused internally, recognizing the direct correlation between the level of service and the depth of one's pockets.

Yet, she failed to catch the flicker of shock in the attendant's eyes upon noticing the bruises on her skin.

The dashing man outside wasn't as upstanding as he appeared.

Draped in the long dress, Edna's transformation was striking—she exuded an air of elegance and nobility, like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, leaving her own reflection in awe.

When Helmer laid eyes on Edna, a fleeting look of surprise betrayed his usual composure. Edna was a woman of simple grace, her warmth akin to the gentle sun.

But the Edna now, adorned in the gown, though captivating and alluring, didn't quite match her unassuming nature.

A flicker of annoyance crossed Helmer's face. He pointed to a white mini skirt in the attendant's hand, "That one."

Edna inhaled deeply, struggling to keep her anger at bay. What did Helmer take her for? A dress-up doll at his disposal?

The white skirt was flirty and sweet, and with high heels, it transformed her from the ice queen to the girl next door. Helmer seemed pleased with this new look, his features softening slightly.

Helmer nonchalantly made his way to the checkout counter, with Edna quickly on his heels. She retrieved her bank card from her purse.

Despite the dress's price being out of her league, she was determined not to be indebted to Helmer.

She had been coerced into agreeing to be Helmer's woman, and Edna refused to use his money, not wanting to feel like she was under his patronage.

Spending her own money was Edna's last shred of dignity.

Just as the cashier reached for the bank card in Edna's hand, Helmer snatched it away first.

The sound of a snap echoed in Edna's ears.

Helmer held the bank card, snapping it in two.

Edna's face went ashen. She snatched back the pieces of her card, her voice rising in distress, "Have you lost your mind?"

Helmer didn't respond to her question. Rage blazed in his eyes. Since when did Helmer need to rely on a woman's money?

Without another word, he pulled out his own bank card, swiped it, and settled the bill.