Chapter 2
I let out a slow breath, lifted the curtain of the carriage, and glanced around.
We were winding along a mountain road outside the city.
One side was a cliff, the other a bottomless ravine.
It wasn't that high, but if I fell right, I'd be dead or crippled.
As long as I could die, I'd win.
Once I was sure I wouldn't hurt the driver or the horses, I yanked open the door.
Edward, who had been lecturing me nonstop, suddenly yelled, "Cecilia, are you crazy?"
I ignored him, throwing myself out without hesitation.
The wind slashed across my face like a knife, and a wave of weightlessness crashed over me.
I shut my eyes tight. There wasn't a trace of fear in me, only pure relief.
Goodbye, idiots.
But the smash-up I'd pictured never happened.
A sudden force yanked me by the waist.
Edward yanked me into his arms, and we tumbled down the grassy slope.
As the world spun, I heard a muffled grunt and his bones smacking against the rocks.
We tumbled several times before crashing to a stop in front of a crooked tree.
Edward had his official robes ripped to pieces by the thorns, bleeding all over.
Meanwhile, I was protected so well I didn't even get a scrape.
I looked up at Edward, his face twisted in terror.
A wave of disappointment crashed over me.
Not even this could kill me? Was I cursed to be the cockroach that wouldn't die?
"Let go," I said, my voice calm, even carrying a hint of coldness.
Edward stared at my unfazed face, his fear instantly turning into a raging fury.
He snapped, "All I did was say a few words to you.
"And you had to jump out of the carriage?
"Cecilia, we really have spoiled you rotten.
"Was this another stunt to get our attention?
"When will you cut out all your pathetic dramas?"
I didn't bother answering, just prying his fingers off my arm one by one.
Then I got up and scanned my surroundings.
This was a remote road, but occasionally a fast horse would pass by.
Soon, I spotted a black cargo carriage barreling straight toward us, its hooves pounding like thunder.
I turned to Edward. "I did this on my own. It's got nothing to do with you.
"And make sure you pay for spooking their horse."
With that, I hiked up my skirt and darted straight toward the thundering hooves.
"Cecilia!" Edward cried in despair, struggling to get to his feet.
But his leg was messed up from the tumble, so he was a beat too slow.
Fueled by desperate hope, I threw my arms open, begging for death to take me.
Even if I made it back to my real life, I was still stuck with late-stage cancer.
Honestly, I'd rather croak in a hospital bed reeking of disinfectant than waste another second in this madhouse full of nutjobs.
But the driver was ridiculously skilled. With a piercing whinny, the horses reared up, their hooves kicking high.
They stopped dead in their tracks, not even an inch from my nose.
I staggered back a few steps, and before I could regain my balance, I fell into a blood-scented embrace.
Edward had crawled over to me.
"Are you insane, Cecilia?" he yelled.
His eyes were bloodshot with panic, all that usual air of authority gone.
His hands trembled as he ran his fingers over my face and shoulders, searching for any sign of injury.
"Are you hurt?" he asked urgently. "Where does it hurt? Talk to me."
Damn it, I still didn't manage to die.
I lowered my eyes, too disappointed to even look at him.
His once pristine boots and pant legs were now completely soaked in blood.
He was badly injured, blood trickling down nonstop.
If this had happened before, seeing Edward get hurt so badly to save me, I would have cried my heart out, wishing I could take his place. I might even have begged him to forgive my recklessness.
But now, I just looked away indifferently, like he was some random stranger.
"Mr. Prime Minister, do I need your approval to die?" I shot back, my voice thick with sarcasm.
Edward stood frozen, staring at me like he'd never seen me before.
I used to trail behind him, and whenever I felt wronged, I'd only cry into my pillow.
But now, as I looked at him, my eyes were like dead water.