Chapter 2

2.

When I pushed the door open, Zachary was just putting his phone down.

Perhaps because of what he had just done, his cold face had a rare, lingering flush.

Seeing me, he looked panicked and shifted his body to hide his visible arousal.

"Layla? What are you doing here?"

He pressed his lips together and 'accidentally' showed the scars on his arms. "Did Mr. Montgomery hurt you? It's all my fault. If I had protected you better, you wouldn't have to…"

In the past, seeing him hurt would have made me burst into tears and apologize repeatedly.

Three years ago, we were cornered by a gang. Zachary was slashed by a dozen men while protecting me.

He didn't even blink as his blood soaked the pavement.

I had pushed him away and forced my only gun into his hand.

I was a coward, but I kissed him and told him to run.

I stood there in the dark, looking like a fragile piece of paper.

But I grit my teeth and blocked the exit with my own body, screaming for him to leave.

Zachary ended up on the operating table for an entire night.

I spent that night searching the city alone, eventually climbing a mountain to a temple to pray for his safety.

But now, looking at his 'wounds,' I didn't say a single word.

He looked at my pale, bloodless face and seemed confused.

"Did the Montgomerys mistreat you?"

He reached out to touch me. I flinched violently and fell to the floor.

Thinking about what those hands had just been doing made me want to throw up.

Zachary seemed startled by my reaction and frowned. "What is wrong with you today?"

I didn't answer. I just stared at his bare neck.

"Where is the charm?"

I had once playfully ordered him never to take that charm off.

He had tied it around his neck with a black cord and kept it there for five years.

But now, I knew exactly where it was.

His eyes widened, and he spoke with a raspy voice. "Your father's men took it."

He expected me to throw a fit, so he started making up excuses.

I just nodded tiredly and turned to leave.

Zachary followed me out, naturally taking the driver's seat and buckling my seatbelt.

He tried to speak several times on the way back, but I kept my eyes closed. I wouldn't even look at him.

When we reached the Montgomery estate, the car slowed to a stop.

As I stepped out, my heel snapped. I lost my balance and nearly fell.

Before I hit the ground, Zachary scooped me up into his arms.

His familiar scent surrounded me again.

It felt like a long needle piercing my heart. I didn't even have the strength to fight him.

"Put me down."

My voice was ice cold.

Zachary ignored me and carried me inside with long strides.

A second later, a sugary-sweet voice rang out.

Amber was lounging on the sofa in a lace nightgown that showed off her curves. "Oh, is my little sister hurt?"

I felt Zachary's arms stiffen instantly.

He hurriedly put me down and took three steps back. He put a professional distance between us immediately.

From the moment Amber appeared, his eyes never left her.

Amber walked over with a worried expression. "If you're hurt, you should say so. Should I call the family doctor?"

I frowned and moved away from her without a word.

As I stepped aside, I saw her use her pinky to lightly scratch the palm of Zachary's hand.

That tiny gesture made the tips of his ears turn bright red.

"Zach, your face is so red. Do you have a fever?"

She looked at him with innocent eyes and stood on her tiptoes to touch his forehead. "Wow, you're burning up…"

Zachary's Adam's apple bobbed. He turned and practically ran away.

I watched his retreating back as he tried to hide his groin, a cold smile forming on my lips.

As I passed the bathroom, I heard the sound of running water mixed with muffled groans.

I stood there for a moment before knocking on the door. "We have a banquet in ten minutes. Get ready."

Since I was now Caleb Sterling's fiancée, my father had accepted several invitations for me.

He had to publicly acknowledge my status if he wanted the Sterling connection.

I didn't wait for an answer. I went to my room and locked the door.

I didn't actually have a 'room' in this house.

My father never intended to recognize me.

He only brought me back to replace Amber in a marriage to a blind man. My 'bedroom' was just a converted storage closet.

In this house, even the maids had better rooms than I did.

I stared at the empty closet and bit my lip.

"I almost forgot. Dad asked me to buy a dress for you to wear tonight."

Amber appeared at the door, smiling at me.

"I hope my taste is up to your standards, sister."

Her eyes were full of mockery. "After all, I was the one who personally picked Zachary to be your bodyguard."

I didn't move. I turned my face away coldly. "I'll buy my own dress."

I didn't want anything she had touched.

She froze for a second, and then her eyes filled with tears.

"Layla, I know you hate me… but I didn't even blame you for what happened to my mom. I just want Dad to be happy. Why can't you be nice to me?"

"For someone like you, marrying into the Sterling family is a blessing you don't deserve."

She whispered the last part right into my ear.

The proximity made me break into a cold sweat. I instinctively pushed her away. "Don't touch me!"

A smile flashed across Amber's face. She screamed in terror, grabbed my hand, and pulled herself toward the stairs.

"Layla, why are you doing this to me!"

She let go and allowed herself to fall like a piece of paper.

Amber tumbled down the stairs, her forehead hitting the floor with a sickening thud. Blood pooled around her.

My father and Zachary both came rushing out, looking like their world had ended.