I Found Him Cheating, I Cut Off Our Engagement

Chapter 4 An Unforgettable Ordeal

A frigid deluge shocked Natalie to consciousness as Liam's sinister features loomed over her. He knelt with a sealed jar, and the unsettling rustling from within sent chills down her spine.

"Finally awake?" He sneered, exposing teeth the color of aged ivory. "Ms. Stewart, I heard you have quite the phobia of huntsman spiders?"

Dread tightened Natalie's chest, draining the blood from her face.

Yet, summoning all her courage, she attempted to rise despite the excruciating ache, only to be forced back down by a heavy boot pressing firmly on her shoulder.

"Mr. Quinn was very clear," Liam said, his grin widening as he shook the jar ominously. "You're to remember every second of this."

Two years back, while exploring her new home, she had stumbled upon a huntsman spider and nearly fainted in fright. Hunter had taken care of it himself, then comforted her gently for hours. Only Hunter knew of this mortifying incident.

Natalie shut her eyes. When they reopened, a haunting stillness replaced all traces of emotion. "Three days, he said. No mention of torture."

"Still have fight in you, huh?"

Liam lifted a squirming arachnid to hover near her nose. "Today is meant to be unforgettable, or so Mr. Quinn said."

The creature's spindly legs dangled. Terror pulsed within her, but Natalie masked it with steely calm.

"Back off! If you dare hurt me, Hunter will make sure you all pay. This is supposed to be about fear, not murder!"

Liam hesitated, a glimmer of doubt clouding his gaze.

Natalie seized the moment, leaning in and lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "You're in this for the money, but mark my words. When the stakes rise, Hunter will drop you like dead weight to save his own skin. When that happens, you'll be penniless and rotting behind bars. Have you really thought this through?"

"Are you threatening me?" Liam's anger flared.

"I'm just being honest," Natalie countered, locking eyes with him. "You should know whether it's worth the risk."

A heavy silence descended over the basement.

After what felt like an eternity, Liam smirked, his laugh dripping with disdain. "Fascinating!"

He casually tossed the spider back into its jar and snapped the lid shut. "But Mr. Quinn's orders are ironclad."

He stood, gesturing dismissively. "Back to business as usual."

The next two days were a descent into torment. Beatings became routine, and meals were cruelly snatched away. Starving, Natalie was left with scraps, if that. The spiders were replaced by less lethal creatures, but their antics, tossing the insects her way, elicited the same stifled screams they relished.

On the third morning, Liam arrived flanked by his men, speaking with chilling nonchalance. "Time for a hospital visit. Can't have you dying here. What bad luck!"

Two men lifted Natalie brutally, dragging her out. Her legs were useless, each step sending searing pain through her. The sudden flood of daylight blinded her as they emerged from the basement. Waiting outside was a dilapidated van. She was dumped into the back like refuse. The engine roared, and they headed toward the city.

In the rattling vehicle, every jolt sent fresh pain coursing through her. At the hospital's rear entrance, the van screeched to a halt. She was tossed from it and discarded at the ER entrance. The van sped away, leaving a dusty trail behind. Struggling on the ground, Natalie tried to get back on her feet but collapsed, her injuries too severe. Just then, a pair of impeccably shined shoes stopped before her.

"Natalie?"

A voice, as sickeningly familiar as it was shocked, sliced through the chaos.

Natalie slowly raised her head, meeting Hunter's eyes, overflowing with feigned guilt and panic.

He was visibly startled by her haggard appearance and immediately knelt, offering his hand to help her up. "What in the world happened? How did you end up like this?"

Natalie held up her hand, refusing his offer.

Hunter's outstretched hand hung in midair, his face draining of color. "Who did this to you? Was it the people down in the basement?"

She remained silent, painstakingly pushing herself off the ground with her elbow until she was standing.

"I should get you inside."

Hunter stepped closer, trying again to support her.

"No need. I can manage."

She leaned against the wall for balance and slowly made her way to the emergency room. Hunter followed, torn between wanting to help and knowing he was unwelcome. Eventually, he awkwardly flagged down a nurse and arranged for a wheelchair.

Throughout the examinations, wound cleaning, and X-rays, Natalie stayed silent. Not a sound escaped her lips.

When the doctor asked how she sustained her injuries, she replied without emotion, "I fell."

Hunter stood nearby, words rising to his lips multiple times, only to suppress them. In the end, all he managed was a heavy sigh. The diagnosis was delivered in a sterile manner. Fractured ribs, multiple bruises, and a mild concussion meant she needed to be admitted for observation.

The paperwork was signed, and Natalie was transferred to a private room. A nurse set up the IV and advised her to rest.

Once the ward door shut, they were alone.

Hunter sat beside the bed, his voice raw with emotion as he looked at her pale features. "I'm sorry, Natalie. I truly had no idea they would..."

"Didn't know they would go this far?" Natalie interrupted, her voice frigid. "Or didn't you realize they would dare hurt your fiancée?"

Hunter was left without a retort.

Natalie turned away, her eyes vacant as she stared blankly at the ceiling.

"Hunter, you said it would just be three days in confinement. I agreed to that. But I was beaten senseless and tormented with my deepest fears. Did you allow that too?"

"Absolutely not!" Hunter protested quickly. "I only instructed them to keep an eye on you, not to hurt you. Especially not to exploit your fears!"

Natalie let out a laugh, its sharpness piercing through Hunter's facade.

"Then how did they know I'm petrified of spiders? Why did they target just the right spots to cause such hidden injuries?"

Every question struck him like a physical blow, leaving him red-faced and speechless.

"Let it go," Natalie whispered, shutting her eyes. "It's not important now."

Hunter watched her frail form with rising anxiety. He wanted to apologize, but then his phone buzzed. It was Layla, her voice on the line filled with complaint. "Mr. Quinn, I've hurt my ankle. Can you come help me?"

Involuntarily, Hunter glanced at Natalie on the hospital bed, conflict clear in his expression.

Natalie opened her eyes, her tone empty and distant. "Aren't you going?"

"I-I won't be long." Hunter stammered, a wave of relief sweeping over him as he hurriedly left the room.

As his footsteps disappeared down the corridor, the light in Natalie's eyes flickered out. When the nurse came to change her bandages, Natalie asked to borrow a phone. She considered calling her grandfather but feared it would only distress him. Instead, she made a more useful call.

"Ms. Lee, this is Natalie. I want to file charges against Hunter for illegal imprisonment and intentional assault."