Chapter 75
I didn’t sleep or all that night.
Gemma’s snores filled the mom, stealy and unbothered, while I lay there wide awake, staring into the dark. Around five in the morning. I couldn’t jake in anymore and dipped out of bed as quietly as demuld.
trept over to the window, pressing my car to the cool glass. At first, all I could hear was the faint whisper of the wind. Then, something else hit me.
aby tang in the air
Seawater. A chill ran down my spine. That smell was unmistakable. We had to be near the mast
Enschester was surrounded by islands— some famous tourist spots, others jo
just nameless specks of land in the sea
And it 1 ħad to guen. 11 en one of those forgotten islandd
( made sense now why Forrest seemed so confident no one would find me. Without exact coordinates, even the police wouldn’t know where to
“I unitered under my breath. My stomachi sank. If I really was stuck on an island, how the hell was I supposed to escape!
Defeated. I tiptoed back to bed, my mind spinning. Exhaustion eventually pulled me under, and I didn’t wake up until noon.
When I opened my eyes, Genuma was already gone, and as usual, she had locked the door behind her.
I dragged myself out of bed, went through the motions of washing up
The door creaked open, Gemma walked in, and my stomach twisted at the sight of her. The corners of her lips were swollen and red, like she had been slapped or punched.
“What happened to you?” The words came out before I could stop myself
Yuan Yue was the woman of the oriole. Logically speaking, the oriole was the boss here. Other than him, no one would dare to touch Yuan Yue.
Gemma was Forrest’s girlfriend. No one else in this place would dare lay a hand on her except him. That realization made my stomach churn
She shot me a sharp look, her voice cold. “None of your business”
She stomped to the table, dropping a box with a hard thud. Her eyes stayed fixed on me as she added, “Eat your food and clean the box when you’re danc”
Iblinked, surprised by her antude–and the fact that she’d even brought me food. Forrest’s temper didn’t leave room for kindness, but Gemma had still gone out of her way
I stared at her. She was only twenty, practically a kid. She should’ve been out living her life, not tangled up with someone like Forrest. But here she was, stuck in his mess, and to top it off, she already had a kid.
Thinking about her dead child, I let out a sigh. I’m sorry,” I said quietly. Tve owed you an apology for a long time.”
Gemma frowned, dearly caught off guard. “What are you talking about?”
“Your son,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I used him without asking you first. I thought the Madden family could get him the best care, maybe save him. But it didn’t work out. He didn’t make it”
I hesitated, then added, “He’s buried in a cemetery. If you ever want to visit, I can give you the address”
Her reaction was like a slap. “Who wants to see hind she snapped, her voice sharp and defensive. She turned her face away from me, before I caught the flicker of pain in her eyes.
but not
“It was an accident from the start. Even if he lived, it would’ve been miserable! It’s better this way. At least he’s free. Maybe next time, he’ll come back with a better mom”
Her voice cracked, and for a moment, I saw her lips tremble. She was trying to sound tough, but her red–rimmed eyes gave her sadness away,
“Gemma.” I said softly, “you’re still young. You’ve got time to figure things out, to build a better life. You don’t have to stay in this mess forever. Someday, you could find someone who treats you right. Maybe even have a family again.”
Her shoulders stiffened, and then a single tear rolled down her cheek. She turned her back to me, then it shook just a little. I didn’t push her.
I went back to my food. There wasn’t much else I could do. I needed the energy anyway, for whatever was coming nexL
1/2
6.10 PM
Chapter 73
Bring stuck here was its own kind of torture. No phone, no TV, nothing g to kill time. The hours dragged like days.
After a while. I tried my luck. “Gemma, let me step out a bit, just to get some air. I promise I won’t go anywhere.”
She didn’t even hesitate. “No” Then, after a pause, her tone softened just a little. “Forrest said you’re not allowed out. I can’t go against him.”
That night. Gemma threw a few magazines onto the bed. Here, Make do with these. Once the goods arrive, Forrest will send you off.”
“Thanks.” I muttered.
A knock interrupted us, and when she opened it, a scruffy, overweight guy stood there, grinning like he owned the place. His breath hit the room before his words did “Gemma, Forest’s plastered. He wants you to take care of him!
I saw her stiffen, just for a second, before she nodded. “Alright.”
She took out her keys and was about to lock the door.
She pulled out her keys to lock the door, but the man snatched them from her hand with a sloppy burp. “No need. I’ll lock it for you. Don’t keep Forrest waiting or you know how he gets. Go on, now,”
Gemma flinched but nodded again and hurried out, her steps quick and nervous.
I figured that was the end of it, so I grabbed a magazine and sat back on the bed, flipping aimlessly through the pages.
But then I caught the sound of heavy footsteps and the stench of alcohol getting stronger. When I looked up, the guy was standing in my room, the door was still unlocked.
“What do you want!” I asked my voice sharp as I put the magazine down.
He grinned, swaying as he staggered closer. “Damn, rich girls really are something else,” he slurred, reaching out to touch my face “Skin like this? You don’t find that every day. Bet the rest of you is just as nice. Care to find out?”
He clearly had ill intention on me, I stepped back and glared at him “Get out. Now, If you leave, I wo deal with you, and you won’t like how that ends.
say a word to Forrest. But if you stay? He’ll
I knew Forrest wouldn’t risk upsetting his plans with the U3 shipment still in play, but this guy was too drunk to care.
He just laughed, swaying on his feet. “Why should he have all the fun? He’s got his chick. Why can’t the rest of us get a little action, huh?”
There was nowhere left to go. My back hit the wall, hard and cold, as the man’s weight pinned me in place. The smell of booze and sweat rolled off him in waves, making my stomach twist.
I bit back the urge to gag and forced myself to focus. “You just want some fun, right!” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I can give you that… but only if we make it interesting
He blinked, his sluggish mind trying to keep up. “Interesting? What’re you talkin‘ about?”
I glanced at the door and gave him a whisper. “I’ve been cooped up in that room for days. I need a change of scenery”
He hesitated for a bear, his glazed–over eyes narrowing, then lit up as the idea clicked.
“Come
- on. don’t you think it’s boring in here: Wouldn’t it be better outside where it’s… thrilling?” I touched his chin and smiled.
“Thrilling, huh?” he said, grinning like he’d just won the lottery. “Yeah, I like thrilling. Let’s do that”
I slipped past him quickly, stepping out of the room before he could change his mind.
His disgusting laughter followed me, echoing in the quiet night as he stumbled after me, far too eager.
Outside, the moon casting a pale glow over everything, the stars were faint pinpricks in the sky. Then, he led me to a bush in the corner of the courtyard
