He turned to face me, his expression serious:
“I will never betray you. And I believe you would never betray me?
Tears welled up in my eyes.
The day we tried to leave the island, Grandfather’s men had restrained me beforehand.
Grandfather fabricated evidence of my “betrayal” and threw Jack into the sea when he realized something was wrong.
News of my escape abroad with Lily eventually reached Marcus.
Two weeks later, early one morning, the doorbell rang
Through the peephole, I saw Marcus standing outside, looking haggard.
Melody stood beside him, her eyes red and swollen as if she’d been crying.
I took a deep breath and opened the door.
Seeing me, the tension Marcus had been carrying finally eased.
Melody spoke first, her eyes brimming with tears:
“Lily’s mom, please come back with us. Don’t make Marcus worry anymore.”
“Shut up!” Marcus snapped at her before turning his gaze to me, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
“Thank goodness you’re alright.” |
“Whether I’m alright or not is none of your concern. We’re divorced now,” I said, pulling Lily behind me protectively.
Hearing the word “divorced, Marcus’s face darkened.
He laughed as if he’d heard a joke and reached out to grab me. “I won’t allow it”
Jack emerged from the kitchen and shielded me.
“Marcus, you shouldn’t disturb her peaceful life:
When Marcus saw Jack’s face clearly, understanding seemed to dawn.
Marcus’s chest heaved as he immediately aimed his gun at Jack’s head.
The air crackled with tension.
Melody screamed in fright.
But in that critical moment, Marcus suddenly turned the gun towards Melody.
A bullet whizzed past Melody’s cheek, embedding itself in the wall behind her with a chilling thud.
Melody collapsed to the ground, her face as white as paper as she stared at Marcus.
Marcus looked down at her, his eyes cold as ice.
Melody’s voice quavered: “W–why
Marcus towered over Melody, his voice low and dangerous.
“You know why. You met with Grandfather”
I stared in shock.
Melody? Why?
Seeing Marcus’s ruthless, icy gaze, Melody suddenly burst into maniacal laughter.
“That’s right, I di
I did. Marcus, I just wanted to marry you.”
“How have you been treating me lately? I only agreed to report your whereabouts to Grandfather. In exchange, he said he’d let me marry into the Holt family
“Marcus, I swear that’s all i did
She jerked her head up, her face streaked with tears and dirt.
Her gaze turned to me, full of venom and resentment:
“Olivia Reed! Why did you have to run away? Couldn’t you just play your part in my love story w
“You think you’re safe here? Grandfather Holt has found you. None of you can escape!”
