Chapter 6

Hearing those three words, "we'll be strangers," Ryder's heart suddenly lurched!

For seven whole years, he hadn't imagined I would ever suggest leaving him!

He listened to my sobs in the darkness, and a montage of their years together flashed through his mind like a film.

The image finally settled on the wedding dress he'd personally designed for me, set to be completed next month.

Ryder clenched his fists tightly, the pain in his palms making him speak.

"Stella Reed, I will marry you. But before that, I need to know where Valerie is! She's carrying our Sterling family's child!"

I couldn't hear a word Ryder was saying.

I screamed, struggling and squirming on the floor, desperately curling myself into a tiny ball, my face drenched in tears.

Over and over, I repeated the same garbled words.

"Please, Ryder, let me go."

"I won't marry you."

Ryder roared, unable to hold back.

"Stella, I just need to know where Valerie is! I promised I'd marry you, and I will! I know there are misunderstandings between us now, but on our wedding day, I'll explain everything to you, piece by piece!"

Ryder's voice ended in an uncontrolled sob, a desperate plea.

"Stella, I've never begged anyone for anything in my life... This time, I'm begging you! I just need Valerie's address!"

I hit my forehead on the floor, crying out.

"I don't know where Valerie is... I didn't... Ryder, turn on the lights, please..."

Ryder stood just outside the door.

His hand was on the switch.

Just a light flick would end my torment.

Ryder could feel his palm raw from clenching, warm, sticky blood spreading between his fingers.

He knew why I was afraid of the dark.

When we were kids in the orphanage, to compete for adoption spots, Valerie had locked me in the equipment room for three whole days.

I was only four years old then.

On the third day, I set a small fire in the equipment room to alert the adults, saving myself from dying of thirst and hunger.

"The surveillance footage is clear, Valerie got into your Reed family car, then she disappeared," Ryder said.

"I know it was wrong of me to hide things about Valerie from you, but I had my reasons, Stella. For the past seven years, you've always been so understanding. Just hold on for one more month, please."

Through my choked sobs, Ryder forced himself to harden his heart.

"I know Valerie has done a lot of things to hurt you in the past, and it's understandable that you'd want to get revenge when you found an opportunity. But she's pregnant with a Sterling child. Tell me Valerie's whereabouts, and there's still room for negotiation in this matter."

"Stella Reed, if this blows up to Mr. Sterling, your whole Reed family will be implicated."

"I know you don't care about your parents, but what about Liam? Are you willing to see your brother's future ruined because of your foolish act of jealousy?"

My crying stopped for a moment.

"Liam."

This seven-year-long, absurd love of mine had not only ruined me but would also drag down the only brother who ever treated me well.

"I really don't know where Valerie is!"

I suddenly went wild, banging my head against the floor.

"From childhood, hasn't she framed me enough times? Why won't any of you believe me, just this once?"

"Ryder, if you don't believe me, then fine. Getting involved with Young Master Sterling was my mistake, and I'll pay for it with my life, alright?!"

The impact of my head hitting the ground was truly forceful!

A dull thud, like a shot fired straight into Ryder's heart.

Ryder flicked on the lights with a 'snap'!

It was too late.

I lay silently on the ground.

Blood slowly spread from my temple.