Chapter 36

Lillian

I opened my eyes to darkness. My back hurt, my legs were numb and I couldn't move my hands.

I groaned, my body felt extremely heavy. I tried taking in my surroundings; despite the darkness, it felt familiar.

Where was I?

A noise startled me; I turned in the direction of the sound. Footsteps started approaching.

I attempted to stand then I realised I was tied to a chair. I tugged violently, hoping to loosen the rope a little, but it was no use; they were the size of my palm.

I tried calming my breathing but they came out loudly. The lights were turned on, almost blinding me and causing my vision to blur a little.

I couldn't make out the silhouette in front of me immediately. Slowly, my vision returned; there was a man.

He stood tall and broad. I couldn't see his face because his head was almost touching the light bulb casting a bright light on his face.

" Little bird,I've missed you." He spoke.

I froze.

I recognised that voice. He raised my chin to look at him.

"Don't ever run from me again." He traced his fingers on my face." You know what happens when you do."

I tried to hide the trembling of my muscles but I failed."I'm...I'm sorry."

He chuckled."Sorry or not, you know the rules."

I swallowed, my blood thrummed in horror." Ty...."

"Shush, sweetheart. Don't say my name." He whispered breathing in my neck.

" Relax. I'm not going to hurt you, yet." He chuckled.

The first tear escaped my eyelid, my body shaking violently." Please..."

He sighed." I hate it when you beg, you know that."

I started sobbing. I knew what he was capable of. I was weak, I could barely hold my eyelids up. I can't defend myself while tied up like this. The least I can do is take the pain and pray it'll be over soon.

"Today will be quick, I've got business to attend to." He pulled out a knife from his boots and bent to my level.

My eyes watered as I trashed the chair." Please, please......" I cried.

He tore off my shirt, exposing my breasts. I screamed, dreading the pain. I should be used to this; it wasn't the first time, but each time, the pain gets worse.

" You can't run; I'll find you. No matter where you go, I'll always find you and when I do...." He cupped one of my breasts, launching his tongue around my peak.

"I'll mark you and you'll be punished." He then pulled my head back, driving the knife Into my abdomen.

As the cold steel pierced my flesh, a blood-wretched scream escaped my lips, shattering the eerie silence. My eyes widened in horror, filled with tears that streamed down my pale face like a river.

My body convulsed in agony, my back arching violently as if attempting to escape the lasting pain.

A faint, gasp escaped my throat as he slowly pulled it out.

" Please, I won't run again." My voice cracked into a painful whimper, "Please...I'm sorry." The words hung in the air, a desperate plea, as my body began to crumple, my legs buckling beneath me.

The sound of my ragged breathing filled my ears, and my vision began to blur, threatened by the approaching darkness.

I thought I was going to die each time he tortured me but I didn't because I would wake up perfectly stitched and cleaned up.

Right now I did not want to wake up. There was no use, I didn't have anyone to live for. No friends, no family, no life. But he wouldn't let me die.

My breathing was becoming shallow, I could no longer make out his silhouette.

He kissed my lips." Sleep now, little bird. Your punishment is over."

And I did as he said, I slept.

*********

When I opened my eyes again I was facing a white ceiling. My back hurt a little but my limbs were free.

I raised my head to sit up only to be gently pushed back down." Hey, not so fast."

I turned to Look at Jade, a confused expression on my face.

" You were sweating and crying in your sleep." She said softly.

I touched my cheeks, they were soaked.

I looked around; the room wasn't dark. It wasn't familiar, and there wasn't any huge man here.

From the IV attached to my wrist, this was a hospital, and the only person here was Jade and Aiden, who were clutching my hand gently.

" How are you feeling," Aiden asked, a worried expression on his face.

Instinctively reached for my abdomen. I was just stabbed, that wasn't a dream.

That can't be a dream, I could still feel the pain. My tummy still aches.

" Hey, you're fine, okay? You only had a minor seizure." Jade assured me squeezing my hand gently.

I didn't have a seizure, I was tied to a chair and was being stabbed by him.

But I didn't say that. I let out a small smile and relaxed my tensed muscles. On the bed.

"Bathroom," I spoke, and Jade nodded, helping me up and into the bathroom.

She gave me some privacy even though we've both seen each other naked and I appreciated it.

Right now I need to sort my thoughts. Pulling the hospital gown over my head, I let the material fall to the ground.

I went and stood in front of the mirror.

There, below my navel was a faint pink mark. A stab wound if I'm not mistaken. I hadn't noticed it before, but that particular spot was throbbing.

It was inconspicuous but there. I put on my gown and washed my face before going back into the room.

I forced myself to keep a straight face while the doctor came to do his check-up. It was hard but I managed. My thoughts were going haywire. I've been having nightmares since I moved into Zayden's house and all of them had been blurring scenes. Blurry but scary. This was the first clear dream I was having.

" How did you know I was in the hospital," I asked. Keeping myself occupied was one way to avoid thinking about why the hell I dreamt of being stabbed and woke up with a scar on my skin.

She glanced over at Aiden." Sorry, I went through your phone and she was the most frequently called on your list." He said.

Jade turned to face me." Did you know I went to your apartment to get clothes for you only to meet a stranger occupying your space?"

I completely forgot that I still hadn't told her I moved out " I'm sorry, I should have told you."

She was mad but didn't show it." So you're living with which of the brothers?"

I felt bad for not telling her, she was the closest I have got to a family." Zayden."

Her eyes widened, lowering her voice as she spoke." Is it official now? Is he fucking you?"

I choked on my saliva, my cheeks burning up." Nothing is official." I whispered back.

Aiden cleared his throat." Since you two are whispering, I'll assume my presence is not needed." He joked heading for the door.

Jade eyed him." Sorry your Highness, but we would like to have our girly time."

He waved a hand and finally left.

Jade grabbed a stool and huddled herSelf close to my bed." You have a long story to tell."

I chuckled." Mr Finn kicked me out." I started.

She sighed." I assumed. He's an asshole! Even after he promised to give you more time."

"So, now I'm living with my boss, he offered me his home.."

She eyed me." That can't be the end, what did he want in return."

I swallowed, our last conversation playing before my eyes." He asked me to marry him."

She suddenly burst out laughing." Really? And?"

I raised a brow." And?"

She nudged me." Come on, don't tell me you said no."

I scoffed."My life is not one of those cliché romance novels where the poor girl marries the boss based on contract, and then they live happily ever after."

She sighed." Lilly come on."

I shook my head." I'm not getting married based on some stupid contract plus he has anger issues. He's prone to throw a refrigerator at me when I make him angry."

She sighed again." Lilly, think. What is left for you outside these walls?"

I furrowed my brows." I have a job and I'm planning to rent my place soon."

She shook her head." In case you haven't noticed you're trending gossip. First, the woman whom the wealthy Kent brothers were seen fighting over at a conference. Then the anonymous who tried seducing the almighty Zayden Kent when he was engaged to Sage Smith. Or the anonymous whore who sleeps with her boss so he could buy her clothes and give her a roof to live under."

I shook my head." Those are half truths, where did you hear such stories!"

"Pay more attention to the internet, Lillian. Stop living clueless."

I pouted." The internet is boring."

" It doesn't matter; if not for this job and Zayden's support, we both know you'll still be at that bar washing dishes." She continued.

I snorted." So you're saying I should marry him out of gratitude."

She smirked." Not exactly, he's a rich man."

I already had a hint of where she was heading.

Greedy bitch.

" He's a very wealthy man. Marrying him will give you access to his wealth. Use that as an opportunity. Make a name for yourself and when the contract ends, your penury ends."

I saw her point but I wasn't a gold digger, yet.

I didn't want to live like this anymore. Always depending on others. Not being able to pay my bills, owing a lot of debts. I wish I had the money to buy expensive jewellery. I want a taste of the good life too.

I want comfort, I want luxury, I want to taste what it's like to be rich.

I sighed." I understand what you're saying but.....isn't that stealing?"

She waved a hand laughing." You'll become his wife, it's your money."

I contemplated. Jade was right, outside the office, I had no life. If I were to lose my job then it's over.

I shrugged." Looks like my story will be one of those cliché romance books after all."

She chuckled." Except you won't be falling for him. Be the first to make a difference."

I eyed her, not so sure about the falling part." That's exactly what the Female lead will promise herself and then she'll end up pregnant and unable to terminate the contract."

"Like The Redemption." We both said in unison bursting out laughing.

We would read the book together at night and watch the movie when it was aired. It was a nice price for writing.

"I want you to write your own story, Lillian. Don't let your past hold the ink."

I teared up." I love you."

She faked an irritated face." Eww, I'm not gay."

We laughed again and continued the discussion till the door flung open.

Zayden walked in but he wasn't alone.