Emily didn’t get angry. Her eyes were full of hope, and she actually stepped closer and closer to the wedding gown.
I sighed, thinking she was simply too infatuated. All of this, after all, was Ethan’s fault.
But I had underestimated just how vicious she could be.
As soon as she reached the gown, her breathing suddenly quickened, and then her body went limp.
Not understanding what was happening, I stepped toward her in concern.
“What’s wrong?”
“Emily!”
Before I could crouch down, Ethan rushed in and shoved me aside.
Emily’s lips were slowly turning purple, but there was a glint of triumph in her eyes.
“Miss Grant said that since I’m about to be sent away, I might as well take one last look at the gown she was supposed to wear.”
“I was so envious, I couldn’t help getting close to it, but somehow… I think I had an asthma attack…”
Ethan brushed his hand over the gown, finding some powder on the fabric. He lowered his head to sniff it, and then his gaze slashed toward me like a blade.
“This is hazelnut powder. Emily’s allergic to it. You did this on purpose!”
He hurriedly ordered his men to take her to the hospital.
I shook my head in disbelief.
“I’ve already said I’m not marrying you—why would I want to hurt her?”
Ignoring my explanation, his face darkened, and he slapped me hard.
“Impossible! You’ve got the gown ready and you’re still trying to deny it!”
“Didn’t I promise you already? Why can’t you just leave Emily alone?”
Ethan grabbed my hand and dragged me into the VIP fitting room, shutting off all the lights.
“You bastard, you know I have claustrophobia!”
The room was completely sealed, no windows, only a single heavy door.
He said nothing.
In the darkness, the dim red emergency light flickered. I could hear my own heartbeat getting louder and louder.
When I was ten years old, I’d been kidnapped, and ever since, I’d suffered from severe claustrophobia. Back then my parents had been busy, and it was Ethan who would sneak into my room every night, staying until I fell asleep, telling me, “Don’t be afraid. As long as I’m here, you’ll never have to be scared again.”
But now, separated from me by a heavy door, his voice came cold as ice:
“Remember this lesson—stop making trouble for Emily.”
I couldn’t hold it in any longer and broke down crying.
“I’ve never once made trouble for her. I’ll stay far away from both of you. Please, just let me out.”
My plea was interrupted by one of his men.
“Sir, Miss Ross isn’t doing well. She keeps saying she wants to see you one last time before she dies.”
The sound of footsteps faded, leaving me trembling in despair.
I don’t know how much time passed before the door finally opened.
It wasn’t Ethan—it was the same bodyguard who had spoken up for me before. My father stood behind him.
Seeing me collapsed on the floor, the bodyguard’s stern face twisted with a flash of pain, while my father’s expression turned thunderous.
“My daughter has suffered this much, and I’m only finding out now!”
Before I lost consciousness, I heard my father instruct his men,
“Don’t leak that insider information to the Parkers. Let them keep bidding for that piece of land.”
He brushed a hand over my sweat-soaked forehead with aching tenderness.
“My dear, I thought you were joking when you said you wanted to call off the engagement, so I never told the Parkers. But since Ethan and that little tramp are so in love…”
“This wedding—let’s treat it as a gift from me to them. They’d better accept it well.”
