Chapter 4
597words
I had no idea how long I'd been out—maybe not as long as it felt. I'd been trapped in an endless dream.
In it, I was alone, clothes in tatters, running through infinite darkness without pause.
I couldn't see where I was going, but I couldn't stop—as if one moment's hesitation would send me plummeting into oblivion.
Then I fell, and the nightmare ended.
Only to wake up to my real nightmare.
"Vicky, you're burning up."
He was playing the concerned husband again, tenderly dabbing my forehead with a warm cloth.
"You've been quite rebellious lately. Why is that?"
I said nothing, just stared at him.
"About your grandmother... I see you've found out. How long have you known?"
He met my gaze, his eyes cold as winter even behind his designer frames.
When I didn't respond, his lips curved into a small smile as he spoke softly.
"Yes, I discontinued her medication. And yes, I unplugged her ventilator myself."
"W-why?"
She was my last living relative!
"I'm a businessman, Vicky. I don't invest without returns. She was already circling the drain—just prolonging the inevitable. I simply spared you the burden."
As he spoke these monstrous words, he tucked my blanket around me and smoothed my hair with gentle fingers.
If I couldn't hear his words, I might have believed this performance of devoted husband.
But this man was a viper, and his forked tongue signaled deadly intent.
"She was my only family," I choked out, tears welling in my eyes.
I'd thought him a demon, a madman—but this was worse. He was a void, an absolute zero. My body shook uncontrollably, from rage or terror, I couldn't tell.
But I remained paralyzed.
He wasn't human. He was something else—a demon wearing human skin.
"Vicky, I'm your only family now. You need only me. I am your entire world. Understand?"
"Lawrence Sullivan, I swear to God I'll kill you!"
I tried to lunge at him, but he pinned my wrists effortlessly, immobilizing me.
"Fine by me. We'll burn in hell together. I won't let you go, not even in death."
Without warning, he sank his teeth into my neck, sucking hard enough to leave a dark bruise before pulling away.
"I love seeing my marks all over you. You're mine. Only mine."
"You sick bastard!"
"Call me whatever you like, just don't provoke me again. Be a good girl now."
"Get out! I can't stand the sight of you!"
"Fine. I'll take the kids to Elaine's tonight. Give you some space to cool off. Rest up, and we'll talk when you're thinking clearly." He rose smoothly, adjusting his suit jacket. "But get this through your head—divorce is not an option. In this life, you'll die as my wife or not at all."
He walked to the door, beckoned to someone outside, then turned back.
A woman entered behind him.
It was her—the woman who'd treated my wounds and given me water.
"This is... what was your name again?"
"Olivia Parker, sir."
"Whatever, doesn't matter." He waved dismissively. "She's your new caretaker. Worked at some fancy private hospital for years. Highly recommended. I hired her specifically for you." He planted a possessive kiss on my forehead. "Take good care of my wife."
Revolting.
As for this woman...
We stared at each other in loaded silence. I couldn't read her at all.
She worked for Lawrence. Could I possibly trust her?
The silence held until the sound of Lawrence's car faded into the distance.
She was the first to break it.
"Do you want to escape?"
