Pretend to be afraid I’ll disappear

chapter 3

Nathan's eyes were red.

Like a madman, he demanded, "Where did you hide Belle?!"

I stared at him in confusion, but before I could speak, his hand clamped around my throat. "Victoria, have I spoiled you so much over the years that you think you can do whatever you want? That you won't even spare a life?"

I couldn't breathe. Only when I was on the brink of suffocation did he finally loosen his grip.

Gasping for air, I looked at him helplessly. "I didn't do anything!"

His anger only deepened. "If you didn't do it, then who?! I was only gone for a moment, and it was just the two of you at home! Why is Belle the one missing? You pretended to be someone considerate, but in reality, you're just jealous that she's carrying my child. Victoria, when did you become so spiteful?"

I couldn't hold back my tears anymore; they started rolling down my cheeks uncontrollably. Something flickered in Nathan's eyeshe used to hate seeing me cry. He was about to reach out to comfort me when his phone rang.

After listening to the voice on the other end, his eyes turned even colder. Hanging up, he yanked me forward.

"You're so good at playing the victim! I almost believed you! If anything happens to Belle or the baby today, I'll never forgive you!"

I didn't even have my shoes on as he dragged me away. On the stairs, I tripped and fell, my knee slamming hard against the step corners. The sharp pain made me cry out, but Nathan acted like he didn't notice, still gripping my wrist and pulling me along.

By the time I was shoved into the car, my legs were a bloody, mangled mess.

The car sped down the highway. Aside from the time I had been injured saving him, I had never seen him so frantic. Soon, we reached a small island.

A few of his men rushed over. "Boss, Belle is right over there!"

Following their gaze, I saw Belle hanging unconscious from a rusty iron frame, bound with rope.

"I've already checked. The kidnappers ran off just before you arrived," they added, looking at me with unreadable expressions.

Belle was quickly freed. She clutched her belly weakly and looked up at Nathan. "Nathan, I knew you'd come for me!"

Then she turned her teary eyes toward me. "Victoria, if you really can't accept me, I can leave. But why must you hurt my baby?"

I shook my head wildly. "It wasn't me! I didn't do anything"

Before I could finish, Nathan's palm struck my face hard. He scooped Belle into his arms and looked down at me, high and mighty.

"Victoria, you've gone too far this time. Stay here and think about what you've done."

With that, he carried Belle away. Over his shoulder, she shot me a smug look. The sea breeze howled at me, chilling me to the bone.

The island was completely desolate. Being left here was a death sentence.

Just then, a familiar voice echoed in my head. "Five days until you exit this world."

A bitter smile touched my lips. Maybe this was for the best. I was going to disappear anyway Slipping away quietly like this might just be easier!

I didn't know how much time had passed. Just as I was on the brink of death, Nathan appeared. He cupped my face with a look of deep concern.

"Victoria, what am I supposed to do with you?"

I gazed at him weakly.

Yet no matter how I looked, I couldn't read him at all.

The system's voice rang out again.

"Two days left until you leave this world."

I let out a bitter smile. I had no strength left, and my vision went black.

When I woke again, Nathan was sitting by my side, holding my hand gently.

"Victoria, you're finally awake. This was just a small lesson. As long as you know what you did was wrong, that will be enough. No matter what, the one I love will always be you."

"No I didn't do anything wrong!"

Cold all over, I trembled as I tried to pull away from him, only to realize my feet were trapped by something. Pulling back the blanket, I froze. Heavy iron chains were locked around my ankles, making it nearly impossible to move.

Nathan's voice turned icy. "I know you won't admit your mistake so easily. So, you'll stay in this room until Belle has the baby. Then, I'll let you out."

Three days without food, combined with all the pent-up emotions I had been holding back, a rush of metallic taste surged up my throat as I coughed out a mouthful of blood from my mouth.

Nathan rushed forward, panicked, pulling me into his arms. "Victoria, what's wrong?"

Just then, Belle stepped inside, one hand on her belly as large beads of sweat rolled down her face. "Nathan, my stomach hurts so much!"

Nathan immediately abandoned me, scooping Belle into his arms. She turned her head to glance at me, her voice dripping with false concern.

"But Victoria"

"Don't bother with her," Nathan cut her off before she could finish. "She's just putting on an act. If it weren't for her, you wouldn't be having these cramps."

I watched them leave and closed my eyes in despair. In Nathan's eyes, all my pain was fake, while every tear Belle shed was genuine.

The system's voice came again.

"One day left until you leave this world. Before you leave, the system will grant you one wish."

My voice was weak, but steady. "System, I want Nathan to know the whole truth."

I wanted to see his reaction when he finally learned everything.

The system's voice was mechanical and emotionless. "Acknowledged. Truth Revelation Program initiated."

-

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. I tried to sit up, but my body was too weak, and I fell back onto the bed. The door slammed open. Nathan stormed in, his face twisted with rage.

He slapped me hard across the face Twice.

"Belle lost the baby! Victoria, this is all your fault! Are you happy now?!" Nathan growled.

I knew no matter what I said, Nathan wouldn't believe me. Explaining would be pointless. So, I let out an icy chuckle. "Whatever."

My indifference only made him angrier. He yanked me out of bed, the heavy chains clanging violently against the floor. Pain shot up my ankles, and I couldn't help but cry out in pain.

But he didn't stop. "You're going to kneel, beg, repent, and apologize to Belle until she wakes up!"

By the time he finished speaking, I was already at Belle's bedside. Her eyes fluttered open.