Chapter 3
788 Words
I shoved him away with all the strength I had left.
Ignoring the pain, I staggered toward the door.
Before I could take another step, my feet left the ground.
Ivan scooped me into his arms and carried me back to the bed.
He crouched beside me, gently massaging my aching leg with a helpless sigh.
"Look at you. Always pretending you're tougher than you look. Guess I'm the only one who can put up with your stubbornness."
As he spoke, he skillfully took out a tube of ointment and unscrewed the cap.
Just then, the housekeeper's voice came from outside.
"Sir, Miss Hayes is almost here."
His hand froze. Not even for a second did he hesitate. He immediately stood up, shoved the ointment into my hand, and said, "If you're feeling better, hurry back to the apartment."
Before I could even respond, Ivan turned around and called the staff inside.
It was as if they'd rehearsed this countless times. One after another, they efficiently cleared away everything that belonged to me.
"Move faster. I don't want a single trace that someone else ever lived here."
That one sentence shattered the 19-year dream I'd been clinging to.
Expressionless, I watched strangers erase every piece of evidence that I'd ever existed in this house.
Then the little crystal rabbit lamp sitting on the nightstand, the one Ivan had handmade for me years ago, was accidentally knocked onto the floor.
It exploded into countless glittering shards. A sharp piece sliced across my fingertip. Blood dripped onto the broken rabbit.
The crimson stain landed perfectly over the tiny figure carved to represent me.
It felt like something inside me shattered along with it.
The sound drew Ivan's attention. For one foolish second, I thought he'd say something.
Instead, he frowned. "What happened? Clean it up immediately. Cora's skin is delicate. Make sure not a single piece of glass is left behind."
Then Ivan noticed the blood running down my hand.
He paused briefly. "So careless."
For one ridiculous moment, I thought the habit he'd built over years of taking care of me might make him worry. Even if only for a second.
Instead, he merely frowned. "Cora faints at the sight of blood. Don't stain the floor."
As Ivan hurriedly adjusted his tie, his eyes landed on the bright red stain across the bedsheets.
"The sheets too... Forget it. Throw the whole bed away. Cora won't touch the bed someone else has used."
I squeezed my eyes shut. Forcing every ounce of bitterness back down my throat.
In less than 15 minutes, 19 years of my life had disappeared.
Nothing remained. Except me.
It was almost as if... I had become the last unwanted thing left behind.
Ivan handed me a bank card.
"Go to the apartment now. Cora will be here any minute. After all, you're only my..."
His voice trailed off under my empty gaze. Then he finished quietly, "It's our wedding day. I don't want you showing up in front of her and ruining it."
Maybe he realized how cruel he sounded. He leaned closer, intending to kiss me like he always did whenever he wanted to smooth things over.
I instinctively turned my head away.
His body stiffened. Without another word, he forced the bank card into my hand.
"Stop throwing a fit. You've always liked being close to me, haven't you? How about this? I'll come to the apartment after the wedding. If you want anything, just buy it. Couples' stuff, jewelry, clothes, whatever you like. As long as it makes you happy. Besides..."
He looked at me with desire burning openly in his eyes.
"You're the only one who can handle everything I want."
He grabbed the back of my neck, ready to pull me into another kiss.
Then someone called from downstairs, "The bride's here."
His eyes instantly cleared.
His hand slid away, brushing against my ear.
I flinched instinctively. A wave of nausea twisted inside my chest.
My voice turned icy. "I'd rather never see you again than be your mistress."
Ivan straightened his cuffs. His expression darkened.
"Sabina, I raised you. You've belonged to me since you were a kid. As long as I say the word, nobody would dare touch you. I'm the only safe place you'll ever have. If you leave me... who's going to protect you? Your gambling addict parents?"
He walked toward the door without looking back.
"Be good. I'll come see you tonight."
His voice was calm, cruel, absolutely certain. Certain that I had nowhere else to go.
But then... my phone lit up.
Brother: Sabina, I'm almost there.
I stared at the message. A quiet smile finally touched my lips.
I wasn't alone after all.
- Writer
