6
“It… hurts…” I gasped.
He froze, then loosened his grip slightly.
The next second, I felt warm liquid drip onto my neck.
Tears?
Sebastian was crying?
I had never seen this stoic, unreadable man cry before.
Ord
He choked out, “Scarlett, will you marry me? We can leave here, just like before…
Everyone else was stunned, trying to tell him not to be foolish.
www
wwwwx
But I gently pushed his hair aside, saying each word distinctly: “Marry me? Is bigamy not illegal in this world?”
Sebastian was taken aback: “She… it’s just a strategic family alliance.”
“But I’ll give you a grand wedding, give you everything you want, make you the most beautiful bride.”
“That way, you won’t be jealous of Isabella anymore, right?”
I was utterly dumbfounded by his words, and completely disgusted.
He was marrying the woman from the alliance for Isabella, and now he wanted to marry *me* for her too!
He truly was so “devated.”
For Isabella, he could even hide the inherent coldness and calculation deep within him.
I said nothing more.
While they weren’t paying attention, I pulled Roman’s dagger from his belt and savagely slashed at my wrist.
Roman instinctively grabbed the dagger, the sharp blade instantly slicing his palm, bleeding profusely.
As he lunged, he accidentally bumped Isabella, who almost fell. Ryder fortunately caught her.
Isabella watched the scene, her eyes wide with shock and disgust.
Though a flicker of distress crossed Ryder’s face, he still said, “Roman, don’t let her trick you, she’s playing another game!”
0:00
<
Roman smirked menacingly:
“She wants to die? I’ll make sure she doesn’t get her wish!”
“I absolutely will not let her die in front of Isabella, staining Isabella’s sight!”
“I’ll lock her up, keep her confined until she learns her lesson and reflects on her actions!”
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Sebastian eagerly went to Isabella, saying, “That island you said you liked last time? I’ve already bought it. It’s your private island now.”
“Really?” Isabella was overjoyed.
“Anything you like. If you want the stars from the sky, I’ll find a way to pluck them for you,” Sebastian said tenderly.
Content, they escorted Isabella out to celebrate with cake. Before leaving, they didn’t forget to assign guards to watch me closely.
After they left, Julian returned. Uncharacteristically, he wore a hint of tenderness as he gently touched the wound on my shoulder:
“I remember someone bravely standing in front of me, taking on my debts…”
He paused. “That was Isabella. She’s so wonderful, of course, I’d protect her my whole life.”
“But, you were there for me once, and I kindness too.”
bert
“Later, if you come to your senses, you can come to my contemplation.“‘
So, he attributed all my sacrifices to Isabella.
Streat. We can spend the rest of our days in quiet
I didn’t want to explain anymore; I just wanted to go home.
I looked up at him, tears streaming down my face, my voice fragile as glass, “I hurt so much…”
Julian’s heart softened. “Does it hurt a lot?”
“Yes,” I sobbed, “Just as much as the wounds I suffered before, when I was with you.”
Julian froze. The Scarlett in his memories was always strong and optimistic; she had never been this vulnerable.
He fumbled to wipe away my tears.
“I want cake,” I said.
“You promised to celebrate my birthday before. Today… is my birthday.”
Julian agreed without hesitation, turning to get cake.
I watched his retreating back, knowing this was my last chance.
8:38 PM d
<
I stumbled to the window, climbed onto the sill without a moment’s hesitation.
I saw the horrified expressions of my uncle and the others who had come with Julian, heard their frantic shouts, but I didn’t waver. I leapt.
Grandma, I’m coming!
When I woke again, I found Ryder by my bedside.
He gently brushed the hair from my forehead, softly saying, “Scarlett, be good. Don’t make trouble anymore.””
“You still have me, your uncle. I’ll protect you for life.”
It turned out they had caught me.
