Chapter 3 Pinned

The moment I turned away, Zack grabbed my wrist in an iron grip and snatched my suitcase. He weighed it casually. "That's barely anything, Ivanna. This is an act, isn't it?"

He pushed me down on the couch and climbed on top, then he started tearing my clothes. "Even if you're trying to pull away, you shouldn't push too far."

"Let go, you bastard! Let go!" I screamed and thrashed and kicked, but he grabbed my wrists easily and held them over my head. He kissed me hard, as if it was a punishment. "You scream, but your body is reacting differently."

His lips moved to the side of my neck, leaving something wet and warm. "You melt right away. There's no way you can leave me, Ivanna. Open your eyes. You can't live without my body, my money, and everything I've given you. Not just anyone can spend 500 million on you like pocket change, get it?"

He held himself against me, and his breathing was heavy. "Are you throwing a tantrum because I haven't been giving it to you tonight? Can't get used to it? It's alright. I'll satisfy you. Let's have a baby. Then you'll stop these childish tantrums."

"No, Zack. Don't do it…" He ignored my pleas and struggle and did what he wanted.

Then the screeching wail of his phone tore through the thick air of the room. He pulled away and took the call. When he spoke, his voice was tender. "Yeah, stuck in traffic. I'll be right there."

He sorted himself up, picked up all five gift boxes, and strode away. He did not even look at me.

Five years ago, my family had gone into bankruptcy when he came to me. My mother had died from a heart attack, and my father took his own life in prison. It was the darkest time of my life.

He showed up and wiped my tears away. Then he pulled me into his embrace and said, "Don't cry. Date me. I'll help you, love you, and spoil you."

I thought he was the hope that tore through my darkness. I saw him as my salvation. In the end, I was nothing but a joke to him. Might as well. I had signed a five-year contract when he gave me the money, and it was expiring on this very day.

I wished him happiness and freedom.

On the way to the airport, I asked the driver to stop outside a jewellery store. The Diamond Star sat in my pocket, cold and heavy against me. Before I left, I wanted to sever the last tie binding me to my past. At the very least, I wanted to know whether this ring was as worthless as the feelings I had poured into the last five years.

Right after I took my ring out, a soft, sharp voice exploded behind me. "Diamond Star? That's mine! Why do you have it?"

I turned back and was met with a haughty Yvonne. She was in an exquisite dress and wore perfect makeup, a contrast to my disheveled look.

"This is mine…"

A slap interrupted me, and I saw stars. The taste of metal erupted in my mouth.

"Grab this thief! She stole my engagement ring! That's Diamond Star, and Zack designed it for me!"

"I didn't steal it! It's mine!" I covered my face and clenched the ring tightly, trying to salvage what was left of my dignity.

"Yours?" Yvonne chuckled and scanned my bleached clothes and shabby suitcase with disdain in her eyes. "The whole city knows this ring is a symbol of the promise Zack made to me! You think you're worthy of this?"

The guards stepped ahead and pulled my arm behind my back unceremoniously, then they pinned me onto the marble ground. My knees screamed in pain, and my suitcase toppled over. Old clothes scattered, and the crowd looked at me with scorn.

"She looks like a nice girl. I can't believe she's a thief."

"I bet she's jealous of Ms. Chaucer."

"She has no shame! She deserves this!"

"I didn't do it!" My voice was drowned out by the accusations.

At the same time, Zack walked in carrying an elegant box from one of the most exclusive dessert shops in the city. Inside was their signature cake. People queued for hours just for the chance to buy one, and even then, there was no guarantee they would get it.

Zack had once bought the same cake for me. He had waited in line for four hours.

Back then, I had been so touched that I nearly cried. Only now did I understand. He had not bought it because I liked it. He had bought it because she did.

Zack looked at Yvonne gently. "What happened, Eve?" Then he pretended to glance at me by chance. I was still pinned to the floor, exhausted and dishevelled, one cheek swollen from the slap. An imperceptible frown creased his forehead, and emotions stirred in his eyes for a moment.

"Zack!" Yvonne immediately leaned against him and pointed at me tearfully. "She stole the ring you gave me, and I caught her red-handed, but she denied everything! Do you know this girl?"