Chapter 1

Tiffany Egan stepped down from the stage one step at a time. I couldn't miss how the anguish slowly faded from her eyes.

"Zachary, put the knife down first."

I had been silent for three years. For a moment, I couldn't make a sound. I let out a tiny, hoarse noise, trying to smile at her, but the sunlight was so bright that it filled my eyes with tears.

Dominic Green came rushing down after her, but she stopped him a few feet from me. He was more afraid than anyone that I would lose it at his wedding, so his voice turned pleading.

"Zachary, listen to me. I was the one who forced Tiffany to marry me. If someone has to pay the price, let it be me!"

I couldn't make out his expression through the tears, so I raised my hand, knife and all, trying to wipe the blur from my eyes. The next second, both my sister, Sophia Young, and Mom screamed.

"Zachary, don't do anything stupid!"

The scene turned chaotic.

Sophia, as well as the guests who rushed over, pinned me to the ground, forming a mound. My fragile ribs couldn't take the weight. I felt something snap, the broken bone threatening to pierce my lung.

I lifted my head with much difficulty. Tiffany was in Dominic's arms. Beneath the pain in her eyes was fear. "You can kill me again if you want, but you can't hurt Dominic."

She was willing to risk her life to protect her man.

Blood rose into my throat, finally giving me enough strength to speak. "I killed you once… but you two… killed me for three years."

I laughed between ragged breaths. The knife pressed into my palm, but I couldn't feel the pain.

Sophia's furious scolding exploded beside my ears. "Zachary, was three years in a coma not enough to knock some sense into you? You might as well stay unconscious for the rest of your life!"

Mom kept sobbing. "Marriage isn't something you can force, Zachary. You can't make someone love you. Please, listen to me. Put the knife down."

"He just woke up. Don't hurt him."

Tiffany crouched down and slowly pried the tip of the knife out of my hand. Her fingertips gradually began to bleed, and only then did I instinctively loosen my grip.

Dominic gently gathered her bleeding fingers in his hand, shooting me an angry look, but Tiffany stopped him with a soft gesture. "Don't bother with a lunatic, Dominic."

She had someone help me to my feet, then turned to comfort Dominic, whose face had gone pale. "I'll take Zachary back to his room. Save the wedding ring for me. When I get back, you can put it on my finger."

Ultimately, Tiffany sent me back to my bedroom.

The moment I saw that bed, I bristled all over. The cloying smell of their sweat still seemed to cling to the sheets. So, I did the first thing I had wanted to do during those years in a coma. I smashed the bed frame.

Wood splinters flew onto Tiffany's hand, drawing tiny beads of blood. She simply brushed them away and indulged me. "Whatever I have to do to make you happy, I'll do it."

I looked around the cage I had been trapped in for three years. The photo of Tiffany and me from our engagement was still hanging on the wall.

I pointed at the portrait and rasped, "Take it down."

Tiffany walked over, took the photo off the wall, and turned it face down in the corner. Her whole body remained tense and wary. Then, her eyes fell on the bloodstained bandage around my hand.

That wariness slowly gave way to exhaustion. "I remember you can't stand the sight of blood."

I shook my head. For three years, they had carved my heart to pieces, one cut at a time. The blood no one could see had soaked through my nightmares. I wasn't afraid of it anymore.

"I want to go, Tiffany. Tell your men to let me go."

She frowned. She had expected me to make a scene, not actually leave. "What are you trying to pull this time?"

Just then, Mom came in and ushered Tiffany toward the door.

"Dominic's parents are still here. You can't just leave him standing there alone. Go keep Dominic company and see the ceremony through."

The caution in Tiffany's eyes didn't fade.

"Don't worry. I'll stay here and keep an eye on him," Mom added, coaxing Tiffany until she finally seemed relieved. Then, she walked out.

A flash of white veil disappeared past the doorway. For a moment, I thought I saw Tiffany standing before the altar on the day we got engaged.

The sunlight had been perfect. She had the brightest smile as she said, "I'm counting down the days till you marry me, Zachary."