Episode 7

At seven in the evening, the Blackwood mansion felt calm. The crystal lights in the main hall glowed softly, casting a warm light. Grayson had just returned from the office.

As he passed through the living room, he saw two maids tidying up the table. “Where is Madam?” Grayson asked, his voice calm yet firm.

One of the female maids bowed politely. “Madam has not left her room since noon, Sir. She only asked for her dinner to be delivered there.”

Grayson’s brow furrowed slightly. Without another word, he immediately went upstairs to the second floor. The master bedroom door was slightly ajar, a dim light spilling from inside.

When he pushed the door open, the sight that greeted him slowed his steps. He saw Kimberly sitting on the edge of the bed, her body slightly hunched, her gaze empty on the floor. Her face was pale, clearly lost in her own thoughts.

Grayson stood for a few seconds, observing his wife. Something strange stirred in his chest when he saw Kimmy looking frightened, as if she were waiting for something terrible to happen.

“Lily,” he called softly. Yes, Grayson used to call Kimberly Lily back in college.

Kimmy flinched, her eyes darting toward him. “Gray,” she whispered, her voice small.

Grayson stepped in, closing the door behind him. He walked closer, then sat beside her on the bed. “You stayed in your room all day?”

Kimmy only gave a brief nod. Her hands clutched the edge of the blanket, trying to hide her nervousness.

Seeing that, Grayson sighed. His hand reached out, gently caressing Kimmy’s hair. “Lily, I know you’re still afraid of me… especially after what happened at the office earlier. I’m sorry.”

Kimmy stayed silent, her eyes glistening, though she held back her tears.

Grayson continued, his voice softer than usual. “Arthur spoke to me. He said you got a call from your father. Is that true?”

Kimmy froze. Her heart instantly pounded faster.

“Your father asked for money, didn’t he?” Grayson’s gaze locked onto her.

Kimmy lowered her head, unable to answer.

Grayson drew a deep breath. “Listen to me. Your parents won’t be able to pressure you again. I’ve taken care of it. They won’t dare to demand anything from you.”

Kimmy slowly lifted her face, confusion written all over her. “Taken care… what do you mean?”

“I already sent them money. More than enough.” Grayson looked straight into her eyes. “And I told them clearly, never to pressure you again.”

Kimmy was stunned. “You sent money?”

“Yes.” Grayson nodded. “Because I don’t want to see you forced anymore. I don’t like seeing you cry because of them.”

Kimmy bit her lower lip. Those words should have comforted her, yet instead, they weighed heavier on her heart.

She drew a breath, then tried to speak. “So… just because you gave money to my family, you think you can touch me however you like?”

Grayson froze at her words. For a moment, his jaw tightened.

He leaned closer, staring at Kimmy’s face from up close. “What do you mean?”

Kimmy swallowed hard. “Don’t think I’ll stay silent just because you helped my family. That doesn’t mean you can—”

Her words cut off when Grayson’s large hand suddenly gripped her chin and mouth. His dark eyes locked sharply on hers, making Kimmy tremble in fear.

“Kimberly,” Grayson said in a low, cold voice. “Don’t ever accuse me like that. I didn’t buy my right over you with money. You are already my wife. That alone is enough.”

Kimmy struggled to breathe, her eyes quivering under his grip. It was strong, making it impossible for her to look away.

For several silent seconds, only their breaths filled the room.

At last, Grayson released her harshly. He stood, his face filled with restrained emotion. Without another word, he strode quickly into the bathroom and slammed the door shut.

Kimmy sat frozen in place, her body trembling. She rubbed her lips, still sore from his grip.

***

In the bathroom, the rush of the shower filled the space. Grayson stood beneath the water, his solid body drenched. The cold stream wasn’t enough to calm the storm inside him. His jaw clenched, both fists tightly balled.

Suddenly, he struck the marble wall in front of him. The loud thud echoed, leaving his knuckles red. “Damn it!”

His eyes squeezed shut. His breath was heavy, his chest rising and falling rapidly. “Why is it so hard, huh? Why can’t I make you fall in love with me, Kimberly?” he muttered softly, almost like a lament.

He scrubbed his face roughly, leaning against the cold wall. “Every time I try to come closer, you pull away. Every time I want to protect you, you see me as a monster. What more must I do?”

Water streamed down, soaking his hair and dripping along his jaw. Grayson lowered his head, clenching his fists again, fighting the frustration gnawing at his mind.

“I can make the whole world bow… but why can’t I conquer this one woman?”

Meanwhile, outside the bathroom, Kimmy stood on the bedroom balcony. The night breeze blew softly, sending her long hair adrift. She wrapped her arms around herself, staring blankly at the star-filled sky.

Inside her heart, everything was in turmoil.

“Was I too much just now?” she whispered to herself.

She recalled the sharp look in Grayson’s eyes as he gripped her face. That gaze was filled with fury, yet for some reason, there was something else behind it. Something she couldn’t explain.

Kimmy bit her lip. “But… I wasn’t wrong, was I? He can’t treat me however he wants just because he has power. I’m not a thing. And besides, I’m not Kimberly.”

Still, her heart wouldn’t settle. Grayson’s face kept flashing in her mind. The way he apologized earlier, then suddenly changed so quickly, left Kimmy struggling to understand him.

“He… is rough, but…” Kimmy lowered her head, her eyes glistening. “I AM NOT KIMBERLY.”

The sound of the shower still echoed faintly from the bathroom. Kimmy shut her eyes, drawing a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

“What should I do? If I keep resisting, he’ll only get angrier. But if I give in, I’m afraid I’ll lose myself.”

The night breeze blew again, as if carrying the weight of her growing doubts.

Meanwhile, inside the bathroom, Grayson stared at his reflection in the foggy mirror. His gaze was sharp, filled with determination.

“I won’t give up, KIMBERLY,” he whispered. “No matter how, I will make you see who I really am. And one day… you will love me, whether you want to or not.”

He clenched his fists once more, this time without striking the wall. His eyes steadied, though in his chest, the storm still raged.