Chapter 2
625 Words
The company's senior staff worked through the night to finalize the deal. Before dawn broke, Liora received a call.
"Ms. Thorne, it's done. We're waiting for you to wrap things up."
She drove straight to the office. But as she parked, several burly men suddenly grabbed her.
When she came to, she found a live bomb strapped to her body. The frantic beeping of the timer drilled into her skull.
Struggling to lift her head, she squinted against the glare, searching for the one behind it.
Then she saw him.
Killian stood inches away.
He had kidn*pped her—for Lila.
Her legs gave out, and she collapsed like a puppet with cut strings. Her lips trembled as she forced out a broken whisper.
"Killian… why?"
There was no trace of concern on his face, as if she were a stranger. He rubbed his temples and spoke coldly.
"I warned you. Stay out of the project. Because of you, Lila slit her wrist. She's still in the ER, barely holding on. All she wants is to come home. Why won't you leave her alone?"
His expression twisted. With a roar, he slammed his fist onto the table. Wood splintered, and blood spattered across the floor. A humorless laugh escaped him.
"Five years ago, because of that sham marriage, my parents threatened to cut me off, forcing Lila out of the family! She couldn't bear to see me suffer, so she threatened to die unless I married you. Their condition? She could only return after enduring five years of their trial!"
The man who never seemed breakable now stood there, eyes rimmed red, voice hoarse.
"One final test: secure the north district project for my family. Do that, and she comes home. Liora—this is your last chance. Hand it over. Or else—"
Spittle flew as he raged.
She laughed.
"Or else what? You'll trade my life for hers?"
"Don't push me! Your life belongs to me now! I'll count to three. If you still refuse, I'll use your life to make it up to Lila!"
"One!"
"Two!"
*****
Watching the murderous resolve in his eyes, Liora suddenly found it all absurd.
A faint, fragile smile appeared on her lips.
"Fine. You win."
She slumped against the wall like a discarded puppet.
The truth hollowed her out—he would burn the world for Lila. Her feelings meant nothing.
His love had always been an illusion.
Why keep chasing it?
She forced a smile, maintaining a semblance of composure.
"One condition… Let's divorce. Since this mess is mostly your doing, I'll be taking the larger share of the assets."
Killian's expression flickered for a brief moment.
No matter how much humiliation she had endured before, she had never once mentioned divorce—until now.
Then his gaze turned cold.
This woman was always calculating. Perhaps this was just another scheme.
A frosty sneer curled his lips. "You'd better mean that."
The moment the words left his mouth, he ordered a divorce agreement to be drafted immediately. Without hesitation, he signed it in one swift motion.
Holding the signed papers, Liora felt a chill seep into her bones.
Five years of devotion—discarded like scraps.
Her hands trembled as she dialed a number. "Drop the project."
Before she could steady herself, her phone vibrated again.
The name on the screen made her pause.
After a moment, she answered.
"Liora." Rowan Hale's voice was rough, thick with alcohol yet razor-sharp. "So what am I to you? Just your lover?"
Liora stared at the pale lines in her palm.
After a brief silence, she spoke with quiet resolve.
"You're getting promoted. Meet me at the registry office in thirty days—we'll make it official."
- Writer
