Chapter 4

"Mr. Wren, come take a look. Which one looks better?"

Shawn called me over again.

Leah's gaze followed me quietly.

My legs felt stiff and numb, but I forced myself to walk into the fitting room.

Only Shawn and I were inside.

"Mr. Wren, how does it feel watching us take wedding photos?"

I blinked. "What?"

"Nothing."

His smile never changed.

Then his arm brushed the clothing rack. The entire row of suits crashed down.

Heavy metal bars slammed into my back. Pain exploded through me.

Shawn stumbled back and shouted for help.

"Help! Somebody help!"

Everyone outside rushed over.

"Shawn!"

"Leah, I'm here! Help me!"

Leah ran in immediately.

The first thing she did was pull Shawn into her arms.

Just as she was about to call the bodyguards to help me, Shawn grabbed his stomach.

"Leah... it hurts..."

Then he collapsed.

Without hesitation, Leah helped him up and headed out.

A sharp pain tore through my back.

It felt like something had stabbed into me.

Desperate, I reached toward her.

"Leah..."

I used every bit of strength I had left.

She froze.

I knew she heard me.

But she never looked back.

Blood spread across my shirt.

Somewhere, something shattered.

Suddenly, my wrist felt empty.

Then everything went black.

***

I jolted awake.

Shawn's smiling face was the first thing I saw.

Just like last time.

Only this time, there was no warmth in his eyes.

"Leah won't have a child because of you. Did you really think I'd let you stay?"

Then he held up a handful of broken pieces.

My breath caught.

A watch.

My watch.

My hand flew to my wrist.

"You knew... The watch... my watch..."

Seven years ago, when my mother died, she'd left me that watch.

It was the only thing I had left of her.

And now it was gone.

Shattered.

"Give it back! Give me my watch!"

Tears blurred my vision.

Shawn calmly closed his eyes. "Shh.

"Not enough."

Holding the broken watch, Shawn lightly dragged a sharp edge across his own neck and shot me a triumphant smile.

The next second, he cried out.

The door flew open.

Leah walked in carrying the seafood chowder he'd asked for and rushed straight to him.

"Shawn! What happened?"

Shawn instantly put on a frightened expression. "Mr. Wren said I broke his watch. He tricked me into coming closer and wanted me to pay with my life.

"I'm sorry, Leah. I didn't mean to."

Leah looked up.

Her gaze landed on me, cold and unforgiving. "You couldn't even keep track of your own belongings, and you're blaming Shawn?"

She didn't hesitate. "Take him to Velour Noir."

"No! Leah, this has nothing to do with you! You have no right to do this!"

Everyone in Seavora knew what Velour Noir was.

The city's biggest den of vice.

People auctioned off there were either destroyed by sickos or tortured to death.

Before I could fight back, the bodyguards locked my arms.

Leah's voice was icy. "Tell Velour Noir his starting bid is one dollar. And no bidders except disabled casino debtors."

"No! Don't! Leah, let me go! I'm not your husband! What gives you the right? I won't go! I don't want that watch anymore! I don't want you eith—"

A hand clamped over my mouth.

"Mmph! Mmph!"

The bodyguards dragged me toward the elevator.

One of them leaned in and whispered, "Mr. Wren, don't worry. Ms. Lambert already arranged a substitute for you. Calling this a misunderstanding is our last resort. We'll protect you the entire time. You won't be hurt."

The elevator doors slid shut.

Then—

Several groans echoed through the elevator.

The bodyguards dropped one after another.

Panic surged through me.

Another group rushed in and shoved me into a sack. "Mr. Fulton knew Ms. Lambert would have a backup plan. He had us waiting here. Accept your fate."

Despair swallowed me whole.

I closed my eyes.

Before the elevator reached the first floor, the doors creaked open.

Someone stood outside in the shadows.

Sharp clicks of high heels echoed through the silence.

"You... How is this possible...?"

They sounded like they'd seen a ghost, fumbling for their phones.

I looked at that blurry figure.

Then darkness swallowed me again.

Whether I live or die this time—

Leah,

I never want to see you again.