Chapter 3

Cain stood behind me with a flashlight in hand, which he shone right in my face.

Forcing myself to appear calm, I pointed at my swollen hand. "My hands were hurting too much, so I wanted to get some fresh air outside."

Hearing that, Cain smiled, grabbed a glass of water, and began walking toward me with frail steps.

"Shane, you have a fever, and going outside will only make it worse. Here, have some water."

He had barely finished speaking when he released his grip on the glass, sending it crashing to the floor.

"What was that? What's happened?"

The shattering of the glass jolted Kiara out of her sleep. She wheeled herself out of the room, and when she noticed me standing by the front door, her face fell.

"Shane, where are you going?"

The ease with which they played off each other finally caused my taut nerves to snap.

"Kiara Sommer, stop with the act. Your legs are perfectly fine, and Cain isn't sick either. You two have been deceiving me all along, haven't you?"

Kiara's expression froze at my words.

Showing her the boils littering my palms, I rasped lowly, "I'm really in a lot of pain and want to go to the hospital. Please, just let me go."

A hint of panic flashed in Kiara's eyes before she seized my wrist, her fingers just so happening to wrap around the biggest burn there.

"Let go!" I groaned at the pain, instantly breaking out in a cold sweat.

Nonetheless, not only did she not release me, but she even tightened her grip.

"Shane, I know you're in pain, but this is going to be the very last time. Once you've passed the test, we'll get married, okay?"

I stared at her, taking in her anxious expression, and found myself staring at a stranger. It was a terrifying sensation.

Two years ago, right before a car was about to crash into me, she had leaped forward without any hesitation to protect me.

At the time, I had been beyond touched and vowed to take care of her for the rest of our lives.

When Winona, who was involved in both the legal and criminal worlds, heard this, she immediately protested.

"There's something off about that car crash. Shane, come back here. I'll help you pay the compensation money, even support her for the rest of her life, just as long as you don't get so close to her."

I refused to believe her back then. I assumed she was just paranoid from dabbling in illegal matters all the time and thought the worst of everyone.

That infuriated her so much that she went off on a bout of swearing before saying she wouldn't bother with me ever again.

Now, it looked like everything Winona had said was true.

"I don't want to marry you anymore. Kiara Sommer, I don't love you anymore. I just want to go home…" My expression was stony as I ripped my wrist from her grasp.

A tinge of violent malice flashed in Kiara's eyes when she heard that. "This is your home. Where else are you going? Who are you going to marry if not me?"

"Kia, since he's discovered the truth, let's not wait till tomorrow," Cain stated lowly.

Kiara was silent for a second before she nodded.

"You're right. Better to do it now than have complications arise later."

Subsequently, she stood up from her wheelchair.

Although she was a woman, the Sommers were all trained in combat regardless of gender. That, coupled with the agony of my burns, left me powerless to fight back.

In no time at all, she had me pinned against the wall.

That damp, dark underground workshop was only two streets away from where we lived.

"Shane, don't blame me for this. I just love you too much."

At three in the morning, the streets were empty.

My raging fever left me in a daze. Before I knew it, Kiara and Cain had brought me to the underground workshop and placed me on the workbench.

"Don't be scared, Shane. I've already instructed the boss to adjust the temperature so that it's just right. You won't get hurt."

Her kiss landed on my forehead, cold and slimy like a venomous snake.

"Just take a little nap in there, okay? Once you wake, we'll go get our marriage certificate."

Then, she turned to the workshop's boss.

"Pay close attention and ensure he isn't harmed."

"Got it, Ms. Sommer. You can leave it to me."

With that, the door shut with a resounding thud.

"How stupid."

Kiara had barely left when the boss strolled over to my side casually. Picking up a pair of scissors, he waved them in my face.

"Who the hell has the time to keep an eye on the temperature? Mr. Fullton paid me good money to ensure you die in there."