Chapter 3

I woke up again in the hospital.

My chest still hurt, and so did my hand.

In the sunlight, Lucas sat there peeling an apple. A rare moment of peace between us.

He handed me the peeled apple.

Lucas said, "George told me you passed out yesterday. You scraped your hand and lost a lot of blood."

I looked at him warily. "I'm not hungry. I don't want it."

Lucas frowned, clearly unhappy. "You used to love apples. Take a bite."

He cut the apple neatly into small pieces.

I turned my head away and refused.

But he held the piece to my lips, forcing me to eat.

I couldn't take it anymore and swept it onto the floor.

Honestly, I never actually liked apples. I ate them only because in my memory, Dad always brought a few apples whenever he came home.

Whenever I saw apples, I kept trying to recall my vague memory of him.

Later in the training camp, they wouldn't let me eat. They only fed me apples.

Now the very sight of them made me sick to my stomach.

Lucas's face darkened.

As I moved, he caught sight of the noticeable bruise on my bare arm.

Lucas asked, "What happened?"

I found his fake innocence laughable.

"Wasn't it you who told them to discipline me?" I replied.

The day I was sent to that training camp, I had the manager call Lucas to confirm.

But Lucas said, "She's got a twisted mind. Discipline her properly. She stays until she's changed."

Those were his exact words. So for three months, I didn't resist at all.

Lucas's long lashes fluttered. "How dare they lay a hand on you?"

I laughed bitterly, a tear slipping from my eye.

I saw the vein bulge on Lucas's temple. He walked quickly outside and made a call.

At that moment, something in me almost hoped.

What if he knew everything I'd been through?

What if it was all a misunderstanding and he'd never given that order?

What if he still cared about me, even a little?

A moment later, Lucas came back in.

His eyes still held disappointment as he looked at me.

Lucas said, "I knew Matthew wouldn't hurt you. It's you who was willful and acting out in there.

"You hurt everyone and slammed into the wall all on your own. Isn't that right?"

He looked disappointed in me. "Three months, and you still haven't changed your ways?"

I found it bitterly ironic. "Fifteen years, and you don't know me at all."

Lucas's jaw tightened. "You don't look sick to me. I'll have George get you discharged early.

"Before the wedding, you'll stay home. No leaving your room."

The Harrington family was wealthy and influential.

Lucas had always been a menace in his early years, and no one dared to cross him.

My parents died protecting his parents, Richard Harrington and Margaret Harrington. I relied on Lucas's fondness for me and did as I pleased.

I almost forgot. I was only an orphan. I couldn't stand up to Lucas.

Slowly, I gave in.

I said, "Fine.

"Lucas, can I have my phone back?

"I promise I won't post anything about you at all."

A trace of unease flashed in Lucas' eyes. "It all depends on how you behave."

George handled the discharge.

The doctor looked through the report and came over to remind them. "I know she's young, but..."

I interrupted softly, "It's fine. I'll get discharged for now. I know my own body best."

My chest still ached.

Lucas didn't care. He stood by the window on a call.

I heard Sophia's gentle voice on the other end.

She said, "I have to try on my engagement dress the day after tomorrow. Could Evelyn come with me?"