Chapter 5

The expected pain never came.

Someone blocked me.

My trembling eyelashes fluttered open.

The moment I saw that face, the tears I'd held back all afternoon finally streamed down.

"Liam..."

My voice was trembling.

I wasn't sure if it was from indignity or the terror of a near-death experience.

My gaze drifted over Liam's shoulder, towards the man and woman nearby.

Valerie looked shaken, Ryder kneeling before her, gently stroking her abdomen, softly reassuring her.

Liam asked nothing. He simply pulled out a handkerchief, wiped my face clean, and led me away.

As we brushed past Ryder, he rose, gently gripping my wrist, attempting to pull me away from Liam.

"Stella, I didn't save you just now because Valerie is pregnant... You understand, don't you?"

I offered a numb smile.

Ryder bent lower, his voice even more humble.

"I just need one month, Stella. I know you might have heard rumors lately, but trust me, none of it's true."

"I'm already arranging our wedding. Only twenty-nine days left. I'll fulfill everything I promised you! Just be good during this time, don't listen to or believe anything anyone says outside, okay?"

I nodded, exhausted.

No matter how much it hurt, how heartbroken I was, it would only last a few more days.

I would wait and see how Ryder intended to wrap up their seven years of illicit affair.

Liam took me home.

Once my emotions had settled, Liam spoke.

"Want to talk about anything, Stella? Like... you and Ryder?"

I shook my head, silent.

Liam stroked my hair.

"If you don't want to talk, don't. I've already started arranging your study abroad, just like you said yesterday. But... when I send you off, do you want me to erase all your identity information? The Sterling family might control Veridian City, but hiding a person is a small task I can manage."

I nodded.

"I'll be gone for a week on a business trip," Liam said, pulling his suitcase. "You need to be good this week, stay home, don't go anywhere."

"The Sterling family isn't something you can handle. Valerie's cunning is beyond you, and the old folks in the Reed family have always despised you."

Liam warned,

"Whatever injustice you face, hold it in until I get home."

I was obedient.

Before, I'd been bold and reckless in Veridian City, knowing Ryder would back me up.

Back then, Ryder was my secret lover.

Not anymore.

After Liam left, I stayed obediently indoors.

Until Ryder's call came.

"Stella, you should be calm now. Can we meet? I want to explain everything that's happened to you face-to-face."

Ryder's voice on the phone was tender and loving.

My hand pressed against my chest, feeling my heart pound uncontrollably for a moment.

"Okay."

Ryder's voice was delighted.

"I'll pick you up!"

"Okay."

Ryder arrived quickly.

As if nothing had happened, he took my hand and helped me into the car.

He leaned over meticulously to fasten my seatbelt, then straightened up and dropped a kiss on my temple.

I felt drowsy the moment I got into the car.

After a few sips of the drink Ryder offered me, I quickly drifted into a hazy sleep.

When I opened my eyes, I saw only darkness.

Suffering from nyctophobia, I screamed hysterically!

"Ryder, what are you doing?! Let me out! Turn on the lights!"

I was tied up, thrown on the floor.

Immobilized.

I stared at the profound darkness around me, terrified to the point of nausea.

"Ryder, turn on the lights! I'm begging you, turn on the lights!"

Ryder's voice came from nearby.

Cold, inhuman.

"Stella, I know you're afraid of the dark. This is the 'gentlest' punishment I could think of for your disobedience."

"Why did you hide Valerie?"

"Didn't I say I would definitely marry you next month? Why can't you just listen, why do you have to take matters into your own hands?"

"Valerie is carrying our Sterling child. This isn't a joke, don't make trouble."

"Tell me where Valerie is, otherwise, Stella, you'll regret it."

My face was streaked with tears.

I looked into the boundless darkness.

"Ryder, I already regret it."

"Please, just let me go, okay? I don't want you to marry me anymore, I don't want to wait. The past seven years, that's on me. Just let me leave. From now on, we'll be strangers!"