Chapter 2

2

The next morning, I arrived at the bridal boutique right on time.

Around noon, Jace finally called me.

"I have to take Roxy to an audition. I'm not coming today."

He hung up before I could even respond.

I laughed at myself and stood up to leave the empty shop.

I worked at the office until late at night before heading back to the villa.

The house was pitch black. Everyone else was already asleep.

I tried to sneak into my room quietly.

To my surprise, Jace was sitting on my bed, waiting.

The next second, he lunged at me and pinned me against the wall.

He kissed me with a brutal, desperate hunger.

One hand held me down while the other tore at my clothes.

I suddenly remembered a post Roxy had shared an hour ago.

It was two photos of her in a tiny bikini.

The caption read: "Auditioning in swimwear today. Jace was watching the whole time. He said I looked beautiful."

"I saw his throat move when he swallowed. It made me so shy."

Every time Roxy posted something like that, Jace's physical demand for me became intense.

I used to think he just missed me.

Now I finally understood the sick truth.

He didn't dare touch his precious little sister, so he used me to vent his heat.

"Stop, please," I begged, struggling against him. "I'm not feeling well today."

His grip pressed right against my fresh wound, sending waves of agony through me.

He didn't listen to my pleas. He only cared about his own release.

I lay there like a broken doll, letting him have his way while tears soaked the pillow.

Everything became a blur until his fingers dug deep into the stitches on my arm.

The pain was so sharp I screamed out loud.

Warm blood immediately soaked through my sleeve.

Only then did Jace pull away, looking shocked.

"You... you actually were injured?"

I ignored the pain and stood up, pulling my clothes back on.

He called out as I walked toward the door.

"It's raining outside. I'll drive you to the hospital."

I almost nodded. I almost believed him for one last second.

But then, a frantic knock sounded at the door.

Jace opened it to find Roxy standing there, looking like a frightened kitten.

She threw herself into his arms, shaking.

"Jace, the thunder... I'm scared. I've been terrified of storms since the orphanage."

Jace kissed her forehead with heartbreaking gentleness.

"Don't be scared. I'm here. Come on, I'll stay with you tonight."

He picked her up in his arms like she was made of glass.

"Why are you walking around barefoot? You'll catch a cold," he scolded softly.

They disappeared into the hallway, leaving me in the silence.

I gripped my bleeding arm and drove myself to the hospital through the downpour.

It was the same cold doctor from the night before.

He frowned deeply as he worked on my arm.

"It's this bad and you still drove yourself? Do you have any idea what rain does to an open wound?"

His voice was stern, but I could hear the genuine concern underneath.

I choked up. A complete stranger cared more about my life than the man I had loved for a decade.