Three Years of Devotion, All for His Lie

Chapter 4

Nine hundred and ninety-nine steps. Even wrapped in fox fur, Isabella still fell until her head was split and blood covered her face. Every bone in her body felt as if it were pierced by needles. Her clothes were already torn and tattered, fluttering in the cold wind.

She was extremely familiar with every step here. She knew clearly which floor tile was loose and which one had a chipped corner.

But they were only lifeless objects. Even after three years of kneeling before them, they remained hard as iron.

Just like him. Without a heart.

Isabella lay in the snow, looking at the vast sky as snowflakes drifted down. An endless desolation rose in her heart.

A blur of noisy shouting sounded beside her ears. Her lips moved slightly, but no sound came out.

The surrounding pilgrims were suddenly pushed aside.

"Move aside. What are you all looking at."

Several men in coarse linen clothes rushed in and lifted Isabella, preparing to take her away.

Forced to her feet, the half-conscious Isabella could not stand steadily and almost collapsed again.

Every bone in her body felt shattered and she could not move. Even using all her strength, she could only produce a voice as faint as a mosquito.

"Who are you. I do not know you."

The men noisily stuffed her into a carriage.

"Mrs. Everett, even if you want to throw a temper, you should know your limits. You have fallen like this. How are we supposed to explain it to the master."

The people nearby heard this and assumed it was merely a private matter from another household. When the carriage drove away, they gradually dispersed.

Only then did she understand the meaning of Aurora's words just now.

The carriage traveled several miles before stopping at a ruined monastery.

The men dragged her down from the carriage.

Several of them rushed forward and began tearing at her clothes. Isabella struggled desperately to crawl away, but it was useless.

One of the men grinned viciously.

"Beauty, if your man cannot give you what you want, we brothers will definitely satisfy you."

Isabella's lips were pale as she trembled.

"How much did Aurora give you. I will give you ten times that amount. Do not come closer."

A limping man grabbed her hair and dragged her back like a chicken.

"Ten times. What a joke. Once we brothers have had our fun, that damned woman's weakness will be in our hands. Do you think we will ever lack money again."

As he spoke, he tore open the hem of Isabella's skirt. Her snow-white thigh was exposed.

A knife like cold rushed into her body. Isabella desperately grabbed the already torn cloak and pressed it tightly between her legs.

Just as the limping man was about to force himself on her, he suddenly groaned and fell to the ground.

Behind him stood Rosie, holding a broken jar, her face covered in blood and her eyes fierce like a vengeful ghost.

She looked at the remaining men and raised her voice.

"Come then. Try touching my young lady again. I will die together with you."

She waved the remaining shard in her hand and slowly walked to Isabella's side, standing in front of her to block them.

When the men saw that it was only a young maid, their earlier fear immediately disappeared.

One of them laughed.

"What is this. Afraid we brothers are not enough for you, so you came to help."

Rosie suddenly pulled the large blade from the hand of the Guan Gong statue behind her and rushed toward them like a madwoman, slashing wildly.

The men were unarmed and did not dare risk their lives. They shoved each other and ran away.

Isabella lay on the ground and watched Rosie put down the blade. She walked over trembling and hugged her as tears streamed down her face.

But she did not dare cry out loud. She was afraid of frightening her young lady, and even more afraid that the men who had not gone far might hear and return.

Isabella tried to raise her hand to hug Rosie back, but she did not even have the strength to lift her arm.

"Rosie, do not cry. We will not live like this anymore."

Rosie nodded fiercely and cried as she spoke.

"The General's residence has already sent people riding fast horses to deliver a message to the border. We are not staying in the Heir's residence anymore."

Having finally let down her guard, Isabella's vision suddenly went dark. Before losing consciousness, her final thought was:

Seven days later, bridge returns to bridge and road returns to road.

Dorian, you and I will have nothing more to do with each other.