“You’re out of line! Jaylene didn’t even do any harm and what did you do? You actually broke the bracelet! Have I been to kind that you’ve lost all sense of boundaries?” he said sharply.
I stood there, stunned, my hand covering the stinging side of my face.
A thousand words caught in my throat, but in the end, I only managed to say through tears, “So you trust her, not me?”
Stefan’s expression turned cold. “I trust what I see with my own eyes.”
***
Stefan left with Jaylene, heading to his private hospital.
Maisie Weller, the head maid, quietly applied ointment to my cheek. Her voice was low and apologetic. “Miss Nadine, I actually saw what happened earlier. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything to Mr. Slade…”
She hesitated. “But Jaylene is clearly the one he treasures most. I didn’t dare speak up.”
I forced a bitter smile. “I don’t blame you. Even if you had, it wouldn’t change anything. He already said it, he only trusts what he sees.”
Maisie sighed and fell silent. The villa was oppressively quiet, every second dragging on.
After the medicine was applied, I felt like I couldn’t breathe and needed fresh air, even just for a moment.
But the bodyguard at the door blocked my path. “Mr. Slade said you’re not allowed to leave.”
“I just want to stand in the yard for a bit…” I pleaded.
“Miss Ashby, without Mr. Slade’s permission, you can’t step out of this house.”
His firm tone left no room for argument. A deep wave of helplessness washed over me. My chest tightened with grief and frustration.
I bit back my tears and raised my voice. “Why is Stefan locking me up? I just want to go out!”
As I spoke, I shoved the bodyguard aside and made for the door, but before I could reach it, he grabbed a fistful of my hair from behind.
Pain shot through my scalp. I was yanked backward and crashed to the floor.
Just then, the villa door swung open. Stefan stood there.
Our eyes locked. His expression froze; shock, then pain.
My lips trembled, heavy with hurt, but I stayed where I was, letting the bodyguard drag me without resistance.
Stefan’s gaze turned icy. “Let go of Nadine. Who gave you permission to touch her?”
The bodyguard flinched and let go immediately, then reached out to help me up.
I didn’t hesitate. I threw myself into Stefan’s arms like someone drowning.
“Stefan, please,” I pleaded, choking back sobs. “Leave Jaylene. What happened abroad is over. Life is too short. Let’s start again, please don’t…”
“Nadine.” His voice cut through like ice. “There’s ten years between us. What happened before, it was a mistake. You should forget it.”
I froze, stunned. The words hit me like a slap. I stared blankly, then slowly let go of his sleeve.
But just as my hand dropped, Stefan grabbed it again.
His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. “I’m taking you to the hospital for a physical.”
A cold sweat broke out on my back.
I had heard what he and his friend said. This wasn’t just a check-up. They were planning something horrifying, maybe even taking my heart while I was still alive.
I shook my head frantically and bolted for the door.
But before I could escape, a bodyguard caught up to me and struck the back of my neck hard. My vision went black and I collapsed on the floor.
When I woke up, I was already lying in a hospital bed. The room was eerily quiet, except for the low hum of machines. Stefan and Jaylene stood at the foot of the bed, watching me.
The moment I opened my eyes, a group of doctors immediately closed in, checking my vitals and murmuring medical terms I couldn’t follow.
