Chapter 9 

When I woke up, I was lying on a large bed, with only a faint glimmer of light in the 

distance. I sat up and tried to take a step, only to be tripped by the iron chain around my 

ankle. Not far away, a figure slowly approached. The first thing I saw was a pair of black leather shoes. When I recognized his face, my expression changed. “It’s you?” 

achary approached, expressionless, grasping my chin as he spoke slowly, “Since you don’t love me, I have no choice but to keep you by my side this way.” 

“Are you insane?” I shook off his hand, my voice cold. “This is illegal confinement!” 

“And what of it? No one in this world knows where you are except me.” 

He lifted me and threw me back onto the bed, pinning my wrists above my head. His eyes reddened as he demanded, “Camila, why are you doing this to me? Why did you let me fall in love with you, only to tell me you only saw me as a stand–in? You must want to die!” 

I lifted my head defiantly, sneering. “Zachary, why bother with this?” 

He gripped my neck, glaring fiercely. “I won’t let you leave. Even if you die, you’ll die by my side!” As I saw the dangerous desire in his eyes, I instinctively shrank back, pressing against the wall with nowhere to escape. Like a predator toying with prey, he gripped my ankle, dragging me back and pressing down on me. His handsome face spoke words like the whisper of a demon, “Camila, is the person you love named Zack? From what I read, he died before he was even 18. A short–lived fool. Did he ever even taste you?” 

“Don’t you dare talk about him like that!” I bit his shoulder fiercely, tasting blood but refusing to let go. I realized my mistake–I should never have seen Zachary as Zack. Zack was so good to me; he’d never have hurt me like this. 

“Oh, does mentioning your first love make you sad?” He clutched my chin, forcing me to look directly at him. “Didn’t you like this face? Then look at my face instead.” 

I shook my head wildly, the pain in my body tearing me apart. My vision blurred with tears, fading into darkness as I felt myself slipping into an abyss. 

I was trapped in the confines of this villa, the curtains drawn tight to block out the outside 

14:32 

Fake Wedding. True Pain 

Chapter 9 

world. I lost track of the days and nights. Then one day, as Zachary leaned over me, kissing 

me once again, I coughed up blood. The blood spread, staining the white sheets in bright 

red. 

For a brief moment, Zachary froze, his hand trembling as he touched my face. I was already slipping into unconsciousness, barely aware, but I heard him cry softly, “Ca…Camila, what’s wrong? Please, don’t scare me…” 

Chapter 10