Chapter 2
But no one could hear my silent screams. The only response was Zion’s cold, emotionless voice.
“Gemma, you’re still too soft–hearted. We’ve planned for this day for so long–we can’t let everything fall apart now.
“Have you forgotten how Remi stole everything from you? If it hadn’t been for her mother, your status as an illegiti- mate child would never have come out. Your mother wouldn’t have died, you would’ve married the man you loved, and you never would’ve been cast out of the Ravell family!
“Don’t worry. When all this is over, I’ll make it up to Remi.”
My whole body trembled uncontrollably, my limbs numb and spasming, as if a thousand feedles were stabbing into my flesh.
The taste of blood filled my mouth. I swallowed the metallic tang clawing at my throat.
Zion, I don’t want your so–called redemption!
Just let me out. I’ll give up my place as heir, disappear forever, and never bother either of you again!
It sounded like Gemma was crying. Her voice was choked and shaky. “Zion, you’re so good to me. Every time I was upset, you’d go out of your way to provoke Derek, make him abuse Remi, and then send me the photos and videos.
“Watching Remi, beaten and bruised, kneeling on the floor and begging for mercy, or seeing her locked in that closet for three days and nights, starving and dehydrated–it always made me feel so much better.”
Zion pulled Gemma tightly into his arms, letting out a low sigh.
“As long as you’re happy, hurting Remi a thousand times, ten thousand times, is worth it. She owes you all of this.”
Inside the coffin, my tears came pouring out.
It felt like something heavy had crashed into my chest, crushing my heart.
Zion, is this how you’ve always seen me?
How can people be so cruel?
So every time I was abused, it was you pulling the strings.
You were so gentle to my face, while behind my back, you used videos and photos of my pain to please another wom-
- an.
I laughed silently, tears slipping from the corners of my eyes and soaking into the wood beneath me.
Maybe the pain was too much, because suddenly a surge of strength I’d never felt before shot through my body.
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Chapter 2
My fingers could move!
No matter how much I hated those two monsters, all I wanted now was to survive.
I scratched at the coffin lid with my nails, leaving faint marks, hoping someone–anyone–would hear the sound.
But my brief hope was shattered in the next moment.
From outside, I heard the sounds of a passionate kiss.
I could feel Gemma pressed against the coffin, her back tight against the wooden boards.
I pounded desperately with my fingers, but the two of them were lost in each other, oblivious.
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Zion and Gemma’s ragged breaths mingled together, their bodies slamming into the coffin, making it creak and groan.
My feeble cries for help were drowned out without effort.
Zion, even as he moved against her, whispered his devotion. “Gemma, do you know how long I’ve waited for this day? Finally, you’ve let Derek go and agreed to marry me.
“For you, I forced myself to seduce Remi. Even that night with her, all I could think about was you.”
I shut my eyes tight, clenching my teeth, forcing myself not to listen to those sickening sounds.
I thought my will to live was stronger than my hatred for them.
I was wrong. My hatred was overwhelming.
The more I once loved Zion, the more I despised him now.
And I hated myself even more for falling for two men who never hesitated to hurt me.
I don’t know how much time passed before the world outside finally fell silent.
Just as I was sinking into despair, waiting for death, the coffin suddenly cracked open–a sliver of light breaking through.
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