Chapter 6
Three days later.
Elodie went by herself to try on the wedding gown.
It was nighttime, and just as she stepped out of the boutique, a hand suddenly grabbed her from behind, covering both her nose and mouth!
A strong chemical scent filled her senses. She struggled for a moment before everything faded to black.
When she came to, it was pitch dark.
Her eyes were covered, and her hands were tightly tied to a chair. She couldn’t move at all.
Smack!
The first whip hit her, and she bent forward from the sharp pain.
The rough rope dug deep into her wrists, and the blindfold made the darkness feel endless. She clamped her teeth down, trying not to cry
out.
“You messed with the wrong person,” said a voice from the shadows, distant yet cold.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
The whip fell like a relentless rain, each strike slicing through the air. with a sharp crack, tearing her skin raw and bloody.
She held back her voice, biting hard to stay silent.
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Who could have done this?
Who hated her enough to go this far?
The beating went on until she blacked out, and only then did it stop.
Then, the faint sound of a phone being dialed filled the room.
“It’s done, sir,” said the man politely.
On the other end, a male voice replied, calm and chilling, “Bring her back.”
Just those few words, but Elodie felt her blood turn to ice.
It was Sebastian’s order.
He was the one who had her beaten!
All because she had accidentally hit Sophia with the whip, so he made her suffer through 99 lashes as payback?
Intense pain and a freezing sensation spread through her limbs. She couldn’t stay conscious any longer and blacked out.
At the hospital.
Elodie lay still on the hospital bed, the injury on her back stinging terribly.
Outside the room, a few nurses chatted in low voices. “That guy is so good–looking, and treats his girlfriend with so much care…”
“Yeah, it’s just a minor whip wound, but he’s acting like it’s a big deal. Meanwhile, the girl in Room 304 has bruises all over and no one visits her…”
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Elodie pulled out the IV needle and slowly walked into the hallway, steadying herself against the wall as she went.
Just like she guessed, Sebastian was standing outside the VIP ward.
He held a cup, gently helping Sophia drink. Sophia said something in at spoiled tone, and Sebastian wiped the water from her lips with his fingers, his expression full of tenderness, as if he might cry at any second.
Elodie leaned back against the wall, her eyes getting watery.
Even though she had already made up her mind to let go, it still hurt deep inside, like someone was slicing her slowly with a dull blade.
“Don’t cry, Elodie.”
She reminded herself of that.
Because no one would care anyway.
On the day she was supposed to be discharged, Elodie had just reached the entrance when she heard footsteps she knew well behind her.
Sebastian had come back.
Their eyes met, but what they each saw was completely different.
They didn’t speak, just sat there in silence until Elodie’s phone suddenly buzzed with a call from her father, David.
David’s voice was firm and serious, “Tomorrow was Sophia’s birthday party. She’s been crying a lot lately, telling me she wants to get along with you. You should come and be with us.”
Elodie sneered and replied, “No.”
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David pressed on, “Why are you so stubborn? This could be your last chance. The Watson family has already chosen the wedding date. After you get married…”
Without another word, Elodie ended the call and looked up at
Sebastian, who was standing quietly in the shadows. “Do you think I should go?”
His sharp features looked even colder under the soft light of the wall lamp.
After a moment of silence, he answered in a low tone, “Yes.”
“Alright. As you wish,” she said with a slight smile.
The birthday party took place inside the greenhouse of Rowland’s residence.
By the time Elodie arrived in her emerald velvet gown, most of the guests had already gathered.
Beneath the sparkling chandelier, Sophia wore a pink, fluffy dress and was the center of attention like a real princess.
“Elodie!” Sophia exclaimed in surprise as she came up and playfully grabbed her arm.
Elodie stepped back and glanced around the room filled with gifts from David, luxury items like limited edition Hermes bags, Tiffany Blue boxes, and even a Porsche car key.
“Sophia had always been a good girl since she was young. She was my favorite.”
David stood next to Sophia with a gentle and caring expression, just like many years ago when he had stood beside Elodie and her mother
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in the same way.
She wore a small white dress and was lifted up by David, while her mother smiled softly nearby.
Now, everything feels different.
After the cake was cut, the guests began to leave in small groups.
Sophia’s best friend pulled her aside and whispered, “Sophia, there are so many young heirs from elite families here today. Do you think Mr. Rowland is trying to set you up? But didn’t I hear you were already engaged to the Watson family?”
Sophia gave a knowing smile and glanced at Elodie, who was not far away. “That ended a long time ago.”
“Oh, that’s a relief. I heard that guy was in a vegetative state now. Marrying him would be like being a widow. So many men are here today. Tell me, what kind of person do you want to be with?” her friend said with an exaggerated wink.
Encouraged by the crowd, Sophia blushed and listed on her fingers, “First, he must love me deeply, like he has my name tattooed on his chest. Second, he must be brave. I heard there’s a rare Thorn Rose‘ that grows only once every hundred Big Sur Cliffs. He needs to
Years on get it for me. Third…”
Before she could finish, the banquet hall door suddenly swung open.
“Mr. Malfoy is here to give a gift. Wishing Ms. Sophia a joyous birthday, filled with happiness and peace!”
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Chapter 7
