Chapter 7
In Brestin City, if Kevin wanted someone dead, it was as easy as squashing an ant.
"What do you want me to do?" Aileen lifted her head, her eyes as hollow and dead as stagnant water. "I'd do it. Just let Gary go."
Kevin crouched down, his slender fingers pinching her chin.
"Be good and stay at Verdant Manor. You're not allowed to leave," he said coldly. "Not until my wedding is over next month.
"Aileen, you owe me this."
'Owe?' Aileen scoffed inwardly.
A bitter laugh echoed inside her.
She'd given seven years of her life to Kevin, only to end up scarred and branded a whore.
And now, she had to watch him marry someone else.
So this was what she owed him.
Kevin let go of her and stood up.
"Go take a shower, change your clothes, and come down for dinner," he commanded, leaving no room for argument.
Aileen rose from the floor like a puppet without a soul, her steps heavy as she trudged upstairs.
*****
Half an hour later, Aileen came downstairs.
The dining room was brightly lit.
The long dining table was piled high with food.
Kevin sat at the head of the table, absorbed in a document.
And sitting right next to him was Ena, the same woman he'd slept with at the hospital earlier.
Ena had changed into comfy home clothes, looking every bit the lady of the house.
When she saw Aileen come down, she smiled and beckoned her over.
"Aileen, come here. Kevin said you've been shaken up lately and you're still feeling weak, so he had some nourishing soup made for you," Ena said with a gentle smile.
Aileen stood motionless, refusing to move.
Her stomach churned violently, that sickening feeling rising up again.
She forced herself to walk, dragging her feet to the very end of the table and sitting as far from them as possible.
Kevin looked up at her, his brow barely twitching in annoyance.
"Sit over here," he ordered coldly.
Aileen acted like she didn't hear him.
"I told you to sit over here." Kevin's voice was sharper now, impatience clear. "Don't make me repeat myself again. Remember Gary? He's still in a coma in the hospital."
Aileen gripped the tablecloth at once, her fingers digging in tight.
She clenched her jaw, stood up, and moved rigidly to the empty seat across from Kevin.
When she sat down, a servant brought over a fancy porcelain bowl and placed it in front of her.
The lid was lifted, and the savory scent of meat hit her, warm and overwhelming.
"Eat while it's hot," Kevin said.
He closed his file and stared at her pale face.
"You've gotten way too skinny lately. Eat some meat. You need to get your strength back," he added.
Aileen looked down, her eyes dull and lifeless.
She wasn't hungry at all; even the smell of meat made her stomach turn.
But she knew if she didn't eat, Kevin would only torment her more, and maybe take it out on Gary.
She picked up her spoon, scooped up a piece of meat, and put it in her mouth.
The meat was so soft it practically melted in her mouth, but there was a weird aftertaste she couldn't quite place.
She chewed like a robot, forcing herself to swallow and fighting the urge to throw up.
One bite, then another.
Ena sat across from Aileen, propping her chin up with one hand, grinning as she watched her eat.
The way she looked at Aileen was as if she was watching a pathetic clown put on a show.
"Does it taste good, Aileen?" Ena suddenly chimed in, her voice sugary and fake.
Aileen kept her head down and kept eating, ignoring her completely.
Ena asked, "Now that I think about it, why is Verdant Manor so quiet lately?"
Aileen suddenly remembered something, scanning the room. "Where's Jesse?"
Jesse was Aileen's golden retriever, the one she'd raised for five years.
He was her only comfort in this cold, lifeless cage.
Whenever she felt hurt or wronged, Jesse would wag his tail and nuzzle his furry head into her arms.
Normally, by now, he'd be all over her, begging for food.
Kevin paused for a moment, his fork hovering over his plate.
He didn't say a word.
But Ena suddenly let out a loud laugh, laughing so hard she was nearly in tears.
"Oh, Aileen, you're looking for Jesse?" Ena teased, her voice light and almost gleeful.
She pointed at the porcelain bowl in front of Aileen, sounding so casual it was like she was chatting about the weather.
Ena said, "He's not far at all, right here in front of you. You're eating him."
Clink.
Aileen's silver spoon dropped from her hand and clattered onto the bowl.
The sound was sharp and jarring, echoing through the room.
The whole dining room went dead silent.
Aileen felt her mind freeze, completely shutting down in that instant.
Her ears were filled with a piercing, shrill ring.
She stared blankly at the bowl in front of her.
Inside, a few chunks of meat remained.
Some still had bones sticking out.
The meat was so soft, it was practically falling apart in the bowl.
"What... did you just say?" Her words were so faint, like a wisp of wind that could disappear at any second.
She lifted her head, her eyes fixed on Ena.
Ena's smile widened. She even offered Aileen a tissue, as if she actually cared.
"Didn't hear me? I said, the soup you're eating is made with Jesse," Ena answered.