Chapter 4

A sudden chill on my wrist snapped me back to reality.

My eyes flew open.

Outside, a fierce wind raged and thunder boomed.

Lightning flashed, casting an icy gleam on the bangle.

It was crystal-clear, flawless, yet coiled coldly around my wrist like a shackle.

James stroked my hair and whispered, "Willa, I've finally earned the right to marry you. Your 18th birthday wish was for a wedding dress. I had someone make it according to your sketches. Won't you take a look?"

I chuckled and turned away, my face expressionless.

"This is how you treat me, isn't it?" He rolled on top of me, speaking eagerly, "Willa, please, don't ignore me. Talk to me, hit me, scold me, anything! Just don't act like I'm not here..."

He pleaded, "Just react to me, please. I'm begging you."

Suddenly, the strap of my dress slipped off.

A burning kiss landed heavily on my neck.

My first instinct was to resist, but countless experiences had taught me that resisting would only make things worse.

Instinct took over. My body locked down in self-defense.

I turned my head away and gave up resisting, lying motionless like I was dead.

I'd long since become desensitized to this.

James stopped.

In the darkness, warm tears slid down my cheek.

"Willa, look at me, please?" he pleaded, forcefully turning my face toward him, his eyes brimming with shattered tears. "Do you know how much I sacrificed just to marry you? I don't care how hard it was. As long as I end up with you, I'd die for you."

I pressed my hand against his chest, my gaze fixed on the pitch-black ceiling.

His voice turned hoarse, as if heartbroken. "Willa, do you have no feelings at all? How long will you hold that grudge against me for what happened back then?"

In an instant, my blood seemed to freeze, and my scattered senses sharpened.

A deep, bone-chilling hatred surged into a powerful force, and I pushed him away with all my might.

Caught off guard, James's arm hit the wall with a dull thud.

I rushed to the bathroom and vomited up all my dinner.

The room was dead silent.

I knew James was right outside the bathroom door.

I could feel his gaze burning into my back.

He wouldn't leave, and I wouldn't move.

We'd played this scene countless times before.

"I'll go," he finally said.

I didn't move until his footsteps faded into the distance.

I slowly stood up and splashed cold water on my face.

Suddenly, the footsteps returned. James had come back.

"The wedding is in thirty days, the day before your birthday.

"I know you're not in any condition for public appearances, but the wedding has to happen.

"It's the Collins family's way of answering the Gomezes and the public."

Water droplets from my wet hair fell onto the cold marble floor.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, he said, "I promise, right after the wedding, I'll send you abroad to settle down, somewhere no one can find you."

I lowered my head to avoid his gaze, numbly watching the droplets fall.

A bitter, self-mocking chuckle escaped James' lips.

"I know you don't want to see me, Willa. I've always known." He stepped closer. "But you have to let me see you sometimes. I'll visit you abroad once every six months, or even once a year. I have to see you. Emily will go with you. With her around you, I can rest easy."

As James moved closer, I stepped back instinctively, only to be trapped against the bathroom glass wall.

James grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look at my reflection in the mirror.

He said, "Pull yourself together. It'll all be over soon."

My reflection was as pale as a ghost, utterly lifeless.

His eyes softened with pain. "I'll go handle the wedding preparations and won't be back for a while. Get some rest, okay?"

The moment he left, the room fell silent once more.