Chapter 2 Wedding Night

Katie was puzzled by the man's question.

She frowned, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"It's not a good thing to lie." The man's sneer grew as he applied more pressure to the blade.

A trickle of blood ran down Katie's fragile neck.

The fear she experienced right now far exceeded the fear she felt during the chase.

With a voice shaking from fear, Katie managed to speak. "Please, just hear me out..."

She kept her story simple, sharing only how she was being forced into a marriage without love. Finally, she pleaded, "I haven't seen your face, and I don't know who you are... Please let me go... My mom is at home waiting for me."

Her gentle plea somehow touched the man's heart.

He eased the pressure of the blade at her throat.

Then, a loud bang at the door erupted.

"He's got to be in here! Let's move in!"

The man's face hardened in an instant. He pulled Katie with him, pinning her against the wall.

He commanded forcefully, "Moan!"

Katie was completely dumbfounded.

Their bodies were pressed closely together.

In the next moment, the door was forcefully kicked open. The man grabbed her waist and pretended to have sex with her.

"Ah!"

Katie's forced moan sounded through the warehouse.

The armed intruders were taken by surprise.

Swearing under their breath, they left quickly.

"Damn it! What a waste of time!"

"Cut the crap! Hurry up and let's check the next place. He's hurt badly; he won't get far!"

"Understood, sir!"

The noise finally faded away.

But then...

Katie's eyelashes fluttered, and her cheeks blushed. "Are they gone?"

"Yes, thank you." His voice sounded raspier than it had earlier.

"You're welcome. May I go now?"

Holding her wedding gown, Katie felt a mix of fear and shyness.

Just as he was about to agree, his gaze landed on her torn wedding dress.

Moonlight shone through the window, lighting up something on her stomach.

He paused, taken aback.

The girl he remembered from years ago had a similar mark.

Out of nowhere, he felt a strange urge.

"I've changed my mind."

"What?" Katie was shocked.

From the shadows, his voice sounded, saying, "Do you truly wish to marry a man you don't love out of obligation?"

Katie's hold on her wedding dress tightened.

How could she agree to an arranged marriage? She definitely was not willing to do so.

Her lack of response said it all.

The man leaned into Katie with a smile and whispered in her ear, "How about continuing what we just did? Those people want to dictate your life. Don't you wish to take revenge on them?"

Katie was at a loss.

Revenge... Was that possible?

Her long-term boyfriend had betrayed her, and now her marriage was being used as leverage...

The man's words carried a devilish allure, leading her to entertain a reckless idea: having sex with him.

Recalling the intruders' words, she questioned, "Are you dying?"

"Yes, I won't live long."

"Let's continue then!" Katie said with resolve.

Now that the man was on his deathbed, no one would find out what happened between them.

He drew closer with a smile, lightly kissing her ear, his lips delicately grazing her pearl earring.

"Enjoy your wedding night, dear."

The following morning, when Katie woke up, a jacket was on her.

The man was nowhere to be seen.

Perhaps he had chosen to end his life somewhere quietly.

The thought left her heart with a strange sense of emptiness, especially considering they had shared intimate moments together the previous night.

"Bang!" Suddenly, the door burst open.

Several bodyguards rushed in one after another.

The Holland family had tracked her down!

Katie darted towards the window, only to be forcefully slammed against the wall by the guards.

An hour later, she found herself thrown at the feet of Fabian Holland and Maddie.

Maddie, with her sharp nails, pinched Katie's skin, scolding, "Our men have been searching all night for you! How could you do this? How could you run away on your own wedding?"

Katie's skin was torn and bleeding. Bearing the pain, she met Maddie's gaze with defiance. "He doesn't even want me!"

"Enough of this."

Fabian intervened, pulling Maddie away and lifting Katie to her feet. He offered a comforting smile. "Don't mind her, Katie."

As she nursed her wounded arm, Katie felt aggrieved. "I don't want to marry him."

Fabian disagreed, saying, "Katie, you're being unreasonable. Think of the years you and your mother have lived with us. Now, when it's your turn to repay us, you hesitate? You can't be so heartless."

Katie could tell that Fabian was hypocritical.

She stepped backward and said, "I'll repay the money as quickly as I can."

Fabian offered a smile. "It's not about the money. But, I've heard your mother needs a kidney transplant. Katie, can you really cover such expenses?"

Katie's hands clenched in frustration.

She knew she couldn't.