Chapter 62
MAIN VILLA
10:45 p.m.
What happened to you?”
I barely cross the threshold of the villa when he rushes over, accompanied by Assar.
I don’t know how bad I look, but judging by the shocked looks on both their faces, it must not be pretty.
“I don’t think that concerns you.”
Why are you in that state?”
I recount everything, starting from Maria’s assault to Paco’s murder.
Throughout the story, Khalid shows no emotion, while Assar looks more and more horrified with each detail.
Khalid bursts into laughter.
I didn’t know my suffering was so funny.
He’s cruel, but he could at least show a bit of humanity–or at least pretend–in front of his friend.
“I told you your precious Maria would end up causing you trouble.”
That’s all he has to say?
“Maria has nothing to do with this. That man was after me–probably because of one of your messes.”
“You only have yourself to blame for being weak.”
I dench my fists.
“I got out of it on my own and you still manage to call me weak?”
“You should have prioritized your life over that girl’s, especially since she’s dead.
Your sacrifice was pointless”
How can I share the same blood as this piece of shit?
TE go. That’s best says Assar awkwardly
He approaches and places a comforting hand on my shoulder
I instinctively pull away
Now I’m alone with my father.
“You wouldn’t have survived half of what I just went through
Why can’t you act like a father?
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10:26 pm
Chapter 62
You should be proud I chose to save a child’s life over mine and still managed to survive!”
He sighs with irritation.
“Stop playing the victim!
This is proof your condition as a woman will always hold you back.
I can bet not one of my men would’ve shown compassion for that girl!
They would’ve killed her to stop the enemy from having any leverage!”
I widen my eyes.
“I got the same education as a man!
Yet you still give me the same sexist, hateful speech about my gender!”
“You were raised like a man, but your mind and your body still make you a woman!”
“I can’t change my body to please you!
I’m a woman–so what?
Being a bastard isn’t about gender and doesn’t make someone strong or brave–it just makes them a bastard!
And if you don’t get that, then you’re a bastard too!”
He slaps me hard, making my head snap to the side.
“I won’t allow you to disrespect me. I hope he made you suffer like you deserved!”
I glare at him murderously.
“You’re going to go on a mission right now as punishment for your insolence.”
How can he dare ask something like that in the state I’m in?
I don’t have an ounce of strength left.
“Your mission can wait until tomorrow!”
“No, it’s urgent
Keep calm, Inara Don’t punch him in the face–you won’t survive it.
“You’re going to go to Alexander’s and tell him I received his gift and that Fin very grateful”
Anything but that
He wants me to humiliate myself with a stupid sentence he could say himself by phone or message.
As usual, I don’t have a choice. Might as well keep the butle dignity I have left
“Fine”
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་་
10:26 pm
Chapter 62
I walk past him to head to my room, but he grabs my arm firmly.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“To my room.”
“For what?”
“Tm going to shower. I need to get rid of this alcohol stench. I also need to disinfect my wounds. I’ll change my clothes. Then I’ll go to Alexander’s and deliver your oh–so–urgent message.”
Note the hint of irony.
“Wrong. You’re going right now.”
I open my mouth wide in disbelief at his cold stare.
“I can’t go looking like this.”
“I don’t see a problem with you going just like that.”
He releases my arm.
I head for the door without looking back at the piece of shit that calls himself my father.
“No need to come back tonight. Access to the villa will be denied.”
Just great! I’m homeless, penniless, with a bruised face and a broken body–and now I’m about to be humiliated by Alexander’s gaze.
“Oh, and I forgot to mention–you’re ugly.”
I hold back from insulting him for the cruelty he shows me.
Walk away with your head high, Inara.
GRAVES VILLA
12:28 am
I ring Alexander’s front doorbell, my hands trembling. It’s cold and I reek of alcohol. My clothes are dirty and torn, my body and face hurt. I feel like I might collapse at any moment.
A woman opens the front door and raises an eyebrow when she sees me.
She can’t quite make out my state due to the dim lighting
“Who are you?” she asks.
She’s tall, blonde, with curly hair, pale skin, big blue eyes, symmetrical facial features, and plump lips. She’s stunning.
I look like a disgrace next to her.
She’s wearing a dark blue silk robe that barely covers her nightdress.
I feel like I’m intruding, like I just interrupted an intimate moment.
3/6
10:27 pm
Chapter 62
I feel extremely uncomfortable.
Of course, Inara.
Alexander is a handsome man who’s very successful with women.
You’re the only woman crazy enough to push him away.
Did you think he’d stay celibate just for you?
The blonde speaks to me in an aggressive tone. I don’t feel like causing a scene.
“I have a message to give to Alexander.”
She steps closer to me and must have picked up on the alcohol stench because her eyes widen. She gives me a pitiful look that crushes my heart.
I’m pathetic.
“Forget what I just said. Just pretend I was never here.”
I turn to leave when I hear:
“Who is it?”
Alexander’s eyes widen as he recognizes my silhouette.
He approaches the entrance and gently moves the blonde aside.
He’s dressed in black dress pants and a matching shirt that fits his torso perfectly.
He doesn’t look like a man about to hook up.
“Inara, is that you?”
“Uh… yeah
“You know her? Oh, so it’s you she came for–I thought it was for Aymen! Sorry for being so rude!”
“Erika, go back to Aymen,” Alexander orders her.
I nod to her, she seems sincere. I’d forgotten Aymen also lives here.
She gives me a small smile and returns inside.
I’m left facing Alexander, still standing on the doorstep
My face is hidden by the darkness outside while his is clearly visible
His hair is slightly wet, beads of water on his forehead, his lips slightly moist. He must have just come out of the shower,
He’s so beautiful.
“I just came to tell you that my father received your gift and he thanks you‘
I’d like to know what it is, but I don’t have the energy to play detective.
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10:27 pm S
Chapter 62
Blood has dripped under my nose, my right check is somewhere between red and blue, while my left cheek is slightly cut and bleeding. My upper lip is split.
I don’t recognize myself. I look at my body. My top is torn, and my neck shows a strangulation mark. I lift my shirt without caring that Alexander is watching–he looks away.
My stomach is covered in bruises.
How could Khalid let me leave in this state?
“I don’t want to talk about it with you.”
He clenches his fists.
“You got beaten, didn’t you?”
“I don’t want to, Alexander, please.”
He looks at me and then nods.
“I need to go home.”
“Wait. Stay here tonight.”
6/6
田
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10:27 pm
Chapter 62
“That’s why you came all the way here at this hour? He couldn’t text me or wait until tomorrow?”
“He preferred to send me. I’ll leave now–I need to go back home.”
Lies, as always.
“Are you sure you’re okay? Your voice sounds strange.”
I look at him, surprised–he’s the first person tonight to ask how I’m doing.
His eyebrows are furrowed, jaw clenched, like he’s genuinely concerned about my state.
“I need to go.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
As I turn to go, he grabs my wrist tightly. I let out a gasp of pain.
I thought he hadn’t noticed, but he immediately lets go and looks at me oddly.
I avoid his gaze.
“Did you fall or something? Did I hurt you?”
You just squeezed a bit too hard.”
He grabs my wrist again and pulls it toward him. He examines the bruises and marks left by the restraints.
“Why do you have marks like this? You were tied up, weren’t you? Can you explain what the hell is going on?”
His voice is firm and authoritative. He’s not shouting, but it’s clear he’s holding back.
It’s not even his concern–it’s not his wrists in this condition.
I pull away from him, but he grabs me suddenly by the waist and pulls me toward him.
I find myself inside the villa.
The light quickly floods over me. All my injuries are now visible.
Alexander looks at me, horrified, while I look away. I don’t want his pity.
“What happened to you? And why do you smell like alcohol?”
“I fell down the stairs?
I’ve told better lies before.
23
“Do you think I’m an idiot? I know what bruises look like. Did you even look at yourself before leaving home? Look at you?”
He points me toward a mirror and a horrifying sight hits me
My hair is still wet from the alcohol, my forehead slightly split open with dried blood covering my face.
My eyes are red and watery from the vodka, my right eye swollen and squinting.
5/6
Chapter 62
Blood has dripped under my nose, my right check is somewhere between red and blue, while my left cheek is slightly cut and bleeding. My upper lip is split.
I don’t recognize myself. I look at my body. My top is torn, and my neck shows a strangulation mark. I lift my shirt without caring that Alexander is watching–he looks away.
My stomach is covered in bruises.
How could Khalid let me leave in this state?
“I don’t want to talk about it with you.”
He clenches his fists.
“You got beaten, didn’t you?”
“I don’t want to, Alexander, please.”
He looks at me and then nods.
“I need to go home.”
“Wait. Stay here tonight.”
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