Chapter 21
Grayson stayed in America for a full week after returning.]]
On the fourth day. Mr. Bennett, who had initiated the auction, was suddenly reported to authorities w photographing underage girls. That night, he was taken to the police station for questioning.
with extensive evidence of his coercing and
Unsurprisingly, he would likely spend the rest of his life in prison.]
When Grayson emerged from the confinement room, his assistant couldn’t bear to look at his badly injured arms.
“Mr. Hart, we’ve confirmed that Mr. Vaughn was indeed responsible for turning Mr. Bennett in. Would you like to arrange transportation to a hospital?
Grayson swayed slightly, struggling to endure the pain from the insect bites covering his skin.]
“No need. Book me the earliest flight to Italy,”
Though weakened, his eyes shone with determination: “Also, prepare some thornbush branches and sandpaper for handcrafting,”
Two days later, Aurora had just stepped outside the bakery with a slice of cake to feed stray cats when she spotted that utterly wretched figure.]
In just one week, Grayson had lost an entire dress size
His suit pants hung loosely in the sea breeze, and with his sleeves rolled up large patches of red, swollen skin were visible.
Aurora recognized these injuries immediately–they came from the confinement room’s insects.
“Rory, I’ve brought those photos back for you.“[]
He carefully extended his hand, offering a manila envelope. Aurora didn’t refuse, accepting it.
Grayson sighed in relief, then presented a second irem–a blood–stained thorn bracelet.
“I locked myself in the confinement room for three days. Rory, you said I didn’t know that pain, but now I do.” His eyes filled with emotion. “And this thorn bracelet–I’m sorry, I wanted to give it to you.”
Aurora looked at it coldly, unwilling to take it: “No thanks. These photos were owed to me, so I’ll accept them. But that bracelet–I’m afraid if I wore it even for a day. I’d have nightmares the entire time “[]
Hearing this, Grayson immediately threw the bracelet into a trash bin: “What about now? What other grievances can’t you overcome? Just tell me, and I’ll do whatever it takes ”
Seeing Aurora turning to leave, he grabbed her hand again, his face pleading: “Please, tell me–is it those slaps?”
With that, he pulled her hand up, using it to slap himself repeatedly across the face
“Is this enough now?”[]
But in the end, Aurora simply looked up at him calmly: “There’s nothing left, Grayson. We’re even. Don’t look for me again.“))
In that moment, it was like a death sentence for a condemned man. Like an executioner raising and dropping the blade, shattering Grayson’s last hope.]
why? Rory… why not? Have you… fallen for someone else?
Aurora’s cool voice dispersed in the sea breeze: “What does anyone else have to do with it? Grayson, some loves, once they’re over, they’re over. Once they’re gone, they’re gone!”
Hor message was crystal clear there wi
was no possibility of reconciliation]
Tat evening, when Aurora closed the bakery and headed home, Grayson was nowhere to be seen outside her door. She assumed he had finally
accepted reality.
Until she reached the coastal highway’s curve.]
A car sped toward her, braking sharply at her side. Before Aurora could react, someone jumped
and nose…
dout and pressed a drug–soaked cloth over her mouth
