Chapter 2

"Get lost!" Zackary angrily brushed Elaine aside.

Elaine stumbled, her face full of hurt and grievance.

I watched the scene unfold, feeling nothing but irony.

Once, Zackary would have been on edge from Elaine frowning. But now, when his need for control was threatened, even his beloved Elaine was another nuisance in his way.

"Zackary, I'm not joking," I said, locking eyes with him, my tone flat and emotionless. "I tossed the engagement ring into the glass just now. From this moment on, we're nothing to each other."

Zackary's eyes narrowed suddenly. He strode forward, reaching out to grab my hand.

But Sean was quicker. He planted one hand firmly on the table, the other shielding me, his stare as cold and venomous as a snake. "Zackary, take one more step, and I'll cripple your hand."

The bodyguards in the private room swarmed in, the atmosphere electric and ready to explode.

'Fight! Sean's got a knife hidden under the table. He's been dying to stab that jerk who's been bullying you.'

The system's voice was gleefully excited, practically craving chaos.

I placed my hand gently on Sean's tense arm and shook my head at him, telling him to stand down.

He shouldn't waste his energy on scum like Zackary. It was not worth it.

"Sean, it's way too boozy in here. I can't stand it," I said softly.

Sean's anger melted away in a heartbeat. He looked down at me, suddenly gentle. "Alright, let's get out of here."

He lifted me into his arms and strode out of the private room.

As we passed Zackary, he reached out to block our way, his eyes wild with despair. "Amber, please, stop this. I know I messed up. Come home with me. I'll drop the deal, I'll send Elaine away. Come back, okay?"

I looked at him, and he felt like a total stranger now.

"Zackary, once a thing is shattered, it can never be fixed," I said.

I turned away and nestled into Sean's arms.

Sean held me so tight that the wound on his arm burst open again, blood soaking through the bandage and staining the hem of my dress.

But it was like he couldn't even feel the pain. He stared at me with that dazed look, as if I were his only lifeline.

Sean drove steadily, the car filled with a faint sandalwood scent that masked the strong smell of blood on him.

I sat in the passenger seat, watching the street scenes blur past the window, and to my surprise, I felt strangely calm.

'Host, Sean keeps picturing locking you up in some dark cellar, but he won't do it. He's scared you'll bolt if he tries.'

'His hands are all sweaty right now. He's desperately trying to figure out how to start a conversation with you. He's already thought up thirty different ways.'

I glanced over at Sean.

The guy everyone thought was a cold-blooded psycho was now sitting stiff as a board, clutching the wheel so hard his knuckles were turning white.

"Sean, your wound's bleeding," I said, breaking the silence.

He snapped out of it, shot me a quick look, then turned his gaze back to the road. "It's fine. Doesn't hurt."

"Pull over," I said.

He pulled over right away, doing exactly as I asked.

I dug out the band-aids and wet wipes I always kept in my bag. It was an old habit from when I used to look after Zackary. He had a weak stomach and was always out drinking, so I had to be prepared.

Thinking about it now, all that effort was wasted. I might as well have been caring for a stray dog.

I pulled Sean's left arm toward me and carefully unwrapped those rough bandages.

I saw all those crisscrossing wounds. Some were deep, some were scratches. I couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.

Some were old scars, some were brand new, and it was a mess that made my skin crawl.

"Why do you do this to yourself?" I asked softly.

Sean's breathing grew rapid. He locked his eyes on my hands as I treated his wounds, his voice hoarse. "When missing you makes me lose my mind, only the pain brings me back."

I froze for a second.

'He's lying. He thinks the only way you'll even look at him is if he's hurt. He's putting on a pity act. Don't let him fool you!'

Even with the system roasting him, my heart still skipped a beat.

After I finished tending to his wounds, I looked up and met Sean's gaze. His eyes were so deep, it felt like staring into an abyss.

"Sean, are you really going to let me stay with you?" I asked softly.

All of a sudden, he grabbed the back of my head and yanked me toward him, his movements possessive and urgent.

I thought he was about to kiss me. But instead, he pressed his forehead against mine, his breath scorching against my skin.

"Amber, the moment you walk through my door, you're never getting out," he growled, his tone harsh yet tinged with desperation. "Even if you end up hating me, I won't ever let you go."

I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

"Okay, guess I'm staying for good," I said, my voice soft and teasing.

Just then, my phone started buzzing like crazy.

It was Zackary, blowing up my phone with texts. The screen was about to explode.