Chapter 2

William didn't make me kneel for long.

It wasn't because he felt sorry for me. Rose just said she was hungry.

"William, I'm craving the lobster rolls from that place on the south side of town."

She looked up at him with her pale little face, giving him her most pathetic puppy eyes.

William's expression softened instantly, so tender it was almost syrupy.

"Alright, I'll have someone pick them up right away," he replied.

But Rose bit her lip, casting me a shy, almost pleading glance.

"But... I really want Nina to buy them for me personally," she murmured.

"I heard she used to stand in line for two hours every morning just to get breakfast for you," she added, her voice barely audible.

I scoffed to myself.

She was just trying to get me out of the way and make my busted knees go through hell.

William's brows knit together, his eyes instantly turning cold as he stared at me.

"Did you hear her? Move it!" he snapped.

"But William... it's pouring out there..." I said, my voice trembling.

I looked up, showing him my leg still bleeding from the glass cuts, hoping maybe, just maybe, he'd feel a shred of pity.

"And my leg..."

"Quit playing the victim!" William snapped, cutting me off.

He yanked a wad of cash from his wallet and flung it at my face like I was some beggar.

The sharp edges of the bills scraped my cheek, stinging like hell.

The bills fluttered down around me, scattered across the floor.

"Nina, don't you love me? Didn't you say you'd do anything for me?" William taunted.

"Now I just ask you to buy some food, and you're dragging your feet? Is this how you show your love?

"If you don't go, then don't ever let me see you again!" he snapped.

That was his killer move.

The character I was stuck playing was hopelessly attached to William—even if he stomped me into the ground, I'd still cling to him as my life depended on it.

Gritting my teeth and choking back my humiliation, I picked up the scattered bills, one by one.

Tears of humiliation streamed down my face like rain.

"I'll go... William, as long as it makes you happy, I'll do anything," I whispered, my voice trembling.

I braced myself against the floor and struggled to my feet.

The wound on my knee tore open again as I moved, blood soaking the white carpet.

William didn't even look at me. He was completely focused on comforting Rose in his arms.

"Rose always knows how to make things easier for me," he said, his voice dripping with affection.

I hobbled out of the room, every step making me wince.

With every step, I was cursing William all the way.

'William, you soulless mutt! May the next time the only toilet paper you ever find is sandpaper!

'And Rose, you fake sweetie—lobster rolls, huh? Hope you choke on those!'

As I hobbled past Victor, his wheelchair blocked my way.

I stopped, head down and eyes lowered, and said quietly, "Mr. Lane."

Victor's long fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his wheelchair, his gaze lingering on my leg, still oozing blood.

His gaze was so cold it made my scalp tingle.

Just when I was bracing myself for another round of mockery...

His thin lips parted, and his voice was low and raspy, carrying a chill that made me shiver.

"If you're in so much pain, why not just kill him?"

I snapped my head up, eyes wide with fear as I stared at him.

What was this lunatic even talking about?

That was my whole character. I was supposed to be the ultimate simp!

I shook my head frantically, tears flying everywhere.

"No... Mr. Lane, what are you saying? I love William. I can take any pain for him. It's not suffering; it's all sweet to me..." I stammered, my voice trembling.

Victor watched me, meek and submissive, and there was a hint of ridicule in his gaze.

Just as I was about to go around him and get out of there...

Suddenly, that familiar mechanical voice blared in my head.

[Warning! Your words don't match their heart. Ten health points deducted!]

I stumbled, almost hitting the floor.

Inside, I was raging like crazy.

'Sweet, my ass! Victor, you twisted freak, are you trying to kill me with that death trap of a question?' I ranted in my head.

Victor's fingers froze mid-tap on the armrest.

He slowly looked up, watching my awkward escape, and the amusement in his eyes grew even stronger.

"Twisted freak?" he echoed, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.