Semua Bab The End of Love: Bab 1 - Bab 9

By the time Hugh arrived, the auction was already underway and had reached the second-to-last photo.“That girl looks so innocent. I would’ve never guessed that she’s a total freak behind closed doors. That last one is the best. I’m about to lose my mind.Hugh’s expression darkened when he heard the way the crowd talked.Seeing how fast he strode toward me made me grip the wine glass tighter.When his tall frame stopped in front of me, I could sense the overwhelming pressure from him. He noticed my unpleasant expression. He softened his aggressive demeanor and said in a gentler tone, “Taz, that girl is young and doesn’t know what she’s doing. I’ll explain everything, but just give me some time. For now, please take the photos down.”I stared at him in silence.After a long, silent standoff, he lowered his gaze and pleaded, “Taz, please just take the photos down.Let her go, and I promise you’ll never see her again.”Back then, even when the subordinates of my father’s seven t

“Tasmin, you owe me an explanation!”I snorted dismissively.This only provoked Hugh further.Without another word, he grabbed me by the arm, dragged me into the car, and drove all the way to the hospital.When we reached the ward, I saw Lana sitting there hugging a pair of rag dolls. Her face was streaked with tears.“Because of you, Lana fell into a severe depression. The doctor says that unless she works through this trauma, she’s never going to get better.“You need to apologize to her and own up to what you did!”Seeing Hugh act as if he were on the right made me sneer.‘Apologize to Lana? She did not deserve an apology at all!’ I thought.I turned to leave, but then I heard a video playing behind me. It made my blood run cold, and I stopped in my tracks.“Taz, don’t make me do this.”After my father’s seven trusted men met their brutal ends, Hugh had destroyed that humiliating video back then.When I heard my own screams from the video, I reflexively lunged to the s

It was a jar containing a pair of fetuses preserved in formalin.“Mr. Castillo, when you were injured and paralyzed, Ms. Sheargold terminated her pregnancy just to test new drugs on herself for you. That’s why she can never have children again.“Do you know she’s had chronic injuries in her knees for years? Every time the weather gets cold, the pain hits so hard she can barely stand it. That came from all those years of praying on her knees at temples and churches for your safety.“She tested thousands of drugs on herself for you. Her health was destroyed. She always felt deep sorrow that she couldn’t bear children. How could you do this to her for another woman?”Bennet had watched me grow up since I was a child. His eyes welled up with tears as he spoke.Back then, I had chosen to bear all the pain alone so that Hugh would not feel guilty.All these years, I prayed to God, not just for him but also out of remorse for the twins I had terminated.Hugh stared stiffly at the two t

A single gunshot drove the noisy crowd to silence.Hugh’s hand, which was about to reach for his weapon, was pierced by a bullet. It was left dripping with blood.I kept my arm extended in the firing position. Then, I calmly placed the sidearm back into Wilde’s hand and met Hugh’s shocked gaze.“Hugh, how do you have the nerve to show up in front of me again?”Hugh clutched his bleeding hand.He did not let out a single cry of pain and just stared at me with teary eyes.“Taz, please come home with me.”I could not help but let out a sneer.Hugh still believed that he and I had a home to go to.My reaction hurt Hugh deeply. He forced a strained smile and said, “Taz, you promised that no matter what, we would never leave each other behind.”His voice remained gentle, but the words that came out sent chills down everyone’s spine.“If you won’t come with me, then we can die together here.”With that, he tore open his coat to reveal rows of explosives strapped around his body.

I slapped Hugh again. His head snapped to the side. His hair fell over his eyes and made his face unreadable.His hand reached his waist and drew the very sidearm he had taken from me that day.He put the gun in my palm, wrapped my finger around the trigger, and pointed the muzzle at his heart.“Do you feel better?“If not, you can pull the trigger.”I let out an exasperated laugh.“Hugh, you really are pathetic! You think I don’t have it in me?”That gaze of his brought back every ounce of past hatred in an instant.My hand trembled slightly.In the end, I swung the butt of the gun and struck him across the face.“Killing you would only mess up the new life I’ve built for myself.“You’re not worth my hands getting dirty.”I stood up and walked away. Through the French window, I caught the reflection of Hugh’s motionless figure.He looked as if he had lost his soul.…That night, Bennet rushed over in a panic.He did not exchange any pleasantries. His face was pal