Battle Royale: My Husband Bet $10 Million on My Death
I was the wife of New York City’s wealthiest man, but on the eve of giving birth, I found myself kidnapped and thrust into a brutal reality TV show.
Heavily pregnant, I fled desperately through the woods. Suddenly, I heard the voice of Dominic’s friend over the loudspeaker:
“Hey Dominic, shouldn’t you be with Aria while she’s in labor? What are you doing here? Is Vivian acting up again?”
Dominic chuckled softly, his voice filled with indulgent affection. “Yeah, Vivian insisted on watching this crazy show. Aria thinks I’m at work. She even sent me away when her water broke. She’s so silly.”
I frantically pounded on the monitor, begging Dominic for help. But when Vivian screamed in fright, he immediately pressed the punishment button.
A violent electric shock coursed through me. Amniotic fluid mixed with blood pooled at my feet as I curled up, tears streaming down my face.
As the footsteps of my pursuers grew closer, the betting reached a fever pitch. Everyone was wagering on who would
survive.
Only Dominic’s voice remained cold: “One million dollars. I bet that crazy pregnant woman dies!”
01
Hearing Dominic’s words, the crowd laughed and shook their heads.
In their eyes, this was a losing bet. How could a pregnant woman outrun wild dogs and fit young men?
But Dominic didn’t care. He lazily pushed out his chips.
“One million dollars to make my darling Vivian happy.”
“Wow, Mr. Dominic is so generous! Casually dropping a million for your mistress while your wife’s engagement ring probably cost $100. Aria would cry if she knew!”
Dominic lit a cigar, speaking matter–of–factly: “Mistresses are meant to be spoiled. Aria is so virtuous and understanding, she’s happy with just a joint bank account.”
I listened to his voice, unable to reconcile it with the husband who once loved me to the bone.
We had been in love for eight years. I stood by him as he climbed from a poor college student to New York City’s wealthiest man.
When he proposed on one knee, holding out a simple $100 ring, he was crying so hard he could barely speak.
I ended up kissing him first, saying yes through my laughter as I held out my hand for him to slip on the ring.
I thought I had a perfect love story envied by all. I never imagined he had kept a mistress for five years.
To live up to his million–dollar bet, the TV show’s henchmen roughly grabbed me. They yanked on the rope around my
neck, displaying me to the cameras from all angles like a piece of meat.
I dangled limply, feet off the ground, swaying like a broken doll. A pool of red spread beneath me.
The host projected my stats onto the big screen with a whistle. “Wow, 99.9 cm belly circumference! That’s rare – a sign of lifelong happiness!”
Through the hood, I saw Dominic’s eyes narrow as he loosened his grip on Vivian slightly.
For a moment, I thought he had recognized me. A wave of bitterness washed over me.
But the next second, a smile curved his lips. “I thought my Aria was already rare enough. Who knew we’d find someone with such similar measurements.”
Watching his back settle into the chair again, I was filled with despair.
I used all my strength to make a hand signal. It was one we had agreed upon years ago when I got lost at an amusement park. Dominic had gazed at me tenderly then.
“Aria, if you ever get lost, make this signal. Even if you’re wearing a mascot costume, I’ll spot you instantly in a sea of people!”
But now when I finally used our signal, he looked at me with disgust. He ordered his men to break my fingers without
hesitation.
“Only Aria can use that signal! You look half–dead already, how dare you try to seduce me by impersonating her!”
“Release two more wild dogs. I’ll teach her a lesson she won’t forget!”
Foul–smelling jaws clamped down all over my body. I screamed and thrashed, trying to protect my belly as blood streamed down my legs.
His friends cheered, full of envy.
“I’d say Aria is the lucky one, pampered by you all these years. She must be the happiest woman in New York!”
