My 19-Yr Dream Shattered, I Walked Away

"...Stop." Ivan Wood's face was buried against my neck. He paused for only a second before sinking his teeth into my skin again. "Tired? Be good. Just let me indulge myself one more time. Cora's delicate. She can't handle how wild I am." The word "wild" dissolved into rough kisses and careless bites. My entire body turned ice-cold. When he leaned over me again, I shoved him away with everything I had. "I said, I'm not doing this!" My voice shook so hard I could barely recognize it. A flash of disappointment crossed his eyes. Ivan didn't argue. Instead, he lit a cigarette. Watching me pull the blanket tightly around myself, he let out a mocking laugh. "Then make your choice. Be my mistress, or get the hell out." Before the last word faded, his phone lit up. He glanced at me, grabbed it like he was trying to hide something, and walked onto the balcony. He moved too fast to shut the door all the way. The distance wasn't close, but it wasn't far enough either. I still heard the soft sound of someone crying. "Ivan... I'm nothing compared to Sabina. Her family's so powerful. Do you really want to marry me? She always says I don't belong around rich people like you. I... I don't deserve you..." It was the exact same trembling voice Cora Hayes had used years ago when she'd begged me to teach her. She knew exactly what made Ivan's heart soften and how to awaken his protective instinct. Sure enough, Ivan let out a cold laugh. "What right does Sabina have to talk about who's worthy? She lived with my family for 19 years, but that doesn't change where she came from. Her whole family's trash. If anyone doesn't deserve a good life, it's someone with a background like hers." I had imagined countless people looking down on my past. But never him. Never the man who had once pulled me out of hell. My eyes slowly filled with tears. His younger voice echoed faintly in my ears from years back. "Sabina, you're different. To me, you're the purest person in the world. You deserve to shine brighter than anyone. I'll always protect you. I'll make sure you're the happiest girl alive." Turned out, promises made as kids don't survive adulthood. The balcony door slid open. I felt Ivan's gaze settle on me. I slowly tried to stand, but a sharp pain shot through my body. My knees buckled, and I crashed onto the floor. I didn't even know what hurt anymore. Everything did. Tears fell before I realized I was crying. Ivan instinctively walked over and sighed. Without asking, he grabbed my hand and forced a ring onto my finger. Holding my face gently, he whispered, "You won't get less than she does. You'll still have everything a bride should have. I won't abandon you. It's just that Cora gets mocked for being an orphan. She needs a legal title. She needs my name to protect her." I stared numbly at the ring. It took forever before I found my voice. "I've made my decision. I'm leaving." He clicked his tongue and pulled me into his arms. "There you go again, throwing a fit. Nothing's changing except the marriage certificate. I'll still spoil you like always. Besides, I raised you in luxury for 19 years. You should be grateful." Grateful? For what? For becoming his mistress? "I wish you'd never found me." There was something I'd never told him. I had an elder brother. He was 10 years older than me, and he'd disappeared years ago. One week ago, he finally found me. He wanted to take me overseas before my gambling addict parents got out of prison. I had stayed. Because I couldn't leave Ivan. Because I knew my biological parents would only bring trouble, and I didn't want to drag him into it. But now, to Ivan, I had become the same kind of trash as they were. After hearing my words, Ivan gripped my chin and forced me to look at him. His thumb gently wiped away my tears. "Why are you crying like someone wronged you? I'm nothing like your deadbeat parents. The day I brought you home, I never planned on throwing you away. Be a good girl. As long as you comply, you can keep living the life I've given you for the last 19 years. I'm the only one who can give you a home." I closed my eyes. Tears kept soaking my face. I didn't want it. What built on humiliation wasn't a home at all. Ivan frowned at my silence and was about to speak. The doorbell rang. The bridal makeup artist had arrived. He immediately let go of me. Smiling casually, he said, "The makeup artist you picked is also Cora's favorite. But the look you tested before was way too glamorous. It doesn't suit someone as pure as Cora." The blanket around me was thick. Yet I couldn't feel a trace of warmth. So it had started three months ago. Ivan glanced at the time, hurriedly threw on his clothes, and spoke without even looking at me, "Don't come back to this villa. I've already given it to Cora as part of her wedding gift. She's all alone. She needs something that gives her security." I quietly looked at his busy back. Every movement he made felt like another blade carving through my heart. My throat had gone hoarse before I even realized it. "I won't. I'll never come back ever again."