trembled

ing orders," the doctor said, pity in

ng blood, my grip on the bed

e blood flowed

was gone-lost at the

-elegant and refined. Seeing me curled

," he w

forcing a faint s

le hand, "I ca

g the hospital, he might nev

are

a smile, "

could you be fine?" William's eyes reddene

nd get yourself killed!" I grabbed his

till defen

ain in my eyes, "Let this be my at

m fell

ever once came to see me. Di

d gone, my hea

discharge procedures and s

as I left,

ospital-the one wh

.. my father

is Alic

my fathe

ing voice came through, "I'm sorry, Ali

d crashed

e. Just last week, they

pital. We're so sorry for your loss

phone's beeping sou

... how could this

hailed a cab, and ru

at my father's cold body

st days ago... How c

, overwhelme

a hospital bed. William was th

her..."

ater, his voice soot

in my past life? The baby's

"You did nothing wrong. Th

n of Aiden, my

ur father's death..

, desperate, "What

ance, "The cameras show that only Sucy en

. "Are you saying Sucy

Pad, swiping to

th, leaving just before the nurse found him dead. The

did this!" I crie

ng to con

d me. "You're too weak to go

ng?" William's face

my shoes, you'd do the

push past hi

oming with you. I won't

cked our path coldly. "Sorry, no one is

ome out, I need

picking out wedding d

I froze, my heart

ill don'

marrying Suc

, they're not her

il they show up!" My vo

ce cut through the air be

ut of a Rolls Royce, dressed to perfection.

th cold contempt. "Alice, what's t

you call

e," Aiden sneered, pulling Su

"My father died y

cy's face before she masked it with in

ave the footage of you entering the hospital an hour before

p as she looked at Ai

to ice. "So, you're d

n't the m

the mu

a killer, it's you! If not for you, Sucy wouldn't have miscarried, and s

... three years ag

sliced through the air.

rward, blocking me.

protecting her? Tell me

gasped, but w

Within seconds, Aiden had the upper hand, landing blow after blow. When Aiden raised

ed, clutching my

o his arms, his voice raw with r

brief pity before he sneered,

charge at Aiden, but I stopped him, trembling. "Let's go. There'

William's voice cra

terly. "What

nds pressed to my stomach, leavin

lowed. "Don't think your evidence will

from me-my child, my father.

loved Sucy had played a part in his deat

vy with grief. Then, a newsflash from the TV struck me like lightni

gaze locked o

with Sucy at his side, a delicate vision in a white Chanel gown. To

ee?" My voice trembled

t's w

... Will you

nding the weight of Aiden's engagem

ive was silent. As he glanced at me through the rearv

night... I won't stop

iam said, his ey

women in the dance floor were

took a long, painful gulp. William watched with pain in hi

take it

troying yourself

vious to the camera quietl

bled, collapsing he

on blurred, and I s

, a strong force yanked m

ar," Aiden's voice cut throu

't you be with your fiancée? Why are you

ne. "As long as you're still mine, you'll never esca

bast

m rose from the ground, ch

den delivered a brutal kick that se

ed desperately, but A

e, I sank my tee

, you b

ng as he glared down at me, fury burning in h

ure he's well taken care of." A cruel smile curled on Aid

lack-clad bodyguards surr

liam,

. A relentless barrage of punches and kicks rained down on him. He curled up on the floor

Stop! He's

usly, his fingers grazing my l

ng me off the ground. He made a small gesture, and

, and the bodyguards grabbed William by

s, while William was roug

o of Wi

ning his pace, before throwing

to the board, swelling instantly. Before I

I struggled, but he o

to spare him? " Aiden hissed,

ice came from the door, strained with pa

s twisted intention. My body shook with fear. "If you

rve me." He leaned down, his cold kiss landing hard on my lips.

eered, gripping my chin tightly. "I

miliate me like thi

his father's death, the ruin of his family, Sucy's miscar

Ye

Um

ely biting and g

of blood filled b

erately, but he h

e roaming wanton

y clothes were ro

aking me face away from him, bending my body into

ally, but was firmly

Another "snap", my clothes were shredded, and my dignity was torn apart

in pain, tears stre

ents became ev

uised, was crawling desperately towards the door, sh

s kicked back violent

s and blood, he wa

onless, my eyes empty and numb,

Aiden sat on the sof

p the battered William, and said in a