Chapter 15
Suddenly, the car slammed to a halt. Without a word, a cold–faced bodyguard yanked Vanessa out of the car and threw her onto the ground like trash.
Her flowy white dress, once elegant and ethereal, was now smeared with dirt. One high heel had flown off, her carefully styled hair tangled with her earrings–she looked nothing like the polished girl who’d stepped out hours ago.
Clutching her scraped arm, Vanessa’s eyes went red with fury the moment she saw her ruined state. She looked utterly humiliated.
She opened her mouth to scream, but then caught herself. She quickly glanced around–Lucian wasn’t there. The second she realized he wasn’t watching, she snapped.
Forcing herself to her feet, she slapped the bodyguard across the face with all her strength.
The sharp smack echoed like a gunshot, thick with contempt.
But that still wasn’t enough to vent her rage. She kicked the man hard in the shin. “You think you can lay hands on me? You’ve got some nerve! Do you have any idea who I am?!”
“One word from me and you’ll be out of a job. Not just you–your whole damn family! I’ll make sure none of you can work again. I’ll ruin you!”
“Vanessa,” Lucian’s voice interrupted, smooth but laced with ice. “What’s wrong? Why do you look so upset?”
She didn’t catch the subtle chill in his tone. The moment she heard his voice, her entire demeanor flipped like a switch. Tears sprang to her eyes as she threw herself into his arms, playing the victim.
“Lucian, this bodyguard is horrible! He shoved me down on purpose! Look at my arm–it’s bleeding, and it hurts so bad…”
She lifted her injured bleeding arm, sniffling pitifully.
“I got a little carried away and smacked him. You’re not mad at me, right? If you are, then… I forgive him. It’s fine.”
After witnessing her seamless act of switching faces, Lucian felt a chill reach his very core. The air around him grew heavier, colder.
He shoved her hand aside and grabbed her by the throat, his fingers tightening as he narrowed his eyes.
“Mad?” He scoffed. “Oh, I’m mad alright. But the one I’m mad at… is you, Vanessa.”
“What-?” Vanessa’s eyes widened in shock. Her face turned red from lack of oxygen, her throat burning like it had been
slashed with knives.
“Lucian–please–let go-”
She choked out, desperately pounding at his arms as she struggled.
But Lucian didn’t budge. His eyes were dark, consumed by hatred.
“Let go? Not a chance.”
He snarled through gritted teeth.
“You’re such a damn good actress. If you hadn’t lied to me–Celeste wouldn’t have been so disappointed. She wouldn’t
15
have walked away. She wouldn’t have divorced mel
Vanessa’s struggles grew feeble, her breaths shallow and ragged. With a brutal jerk, Lucian flung her to the ground.
She crumpled, gasping for air.
It took a full minute before she could even process what he’d said.
Her face drained of color, panic rising in her chest.
But she couldn’t admit to anything. She blinked rapidly and forced tears into her eyes, putting on her most confused expression.
“I… I don’t understand. Lucian, what are you saying? I’ve never lied to you. Did Miss Adams say something to you again? She’s always hated me–of course she’d make up stories to slander me.”
“You told me I was the one you loved. That you’d always trust me. If you’re not going to believe me, then fine–I’ll leave. We aren’t even together–I haven’t said yes to you yet. I never should have stayed by your side, and I definitely shouldn’t have come here!”
She defiantly wiped away her tears with trembling hands, forcing herself to stand. She limped toward the front gate.
Her small frame looked so pitiful, like she could break at any moment.
One second passed. Then two. Then five… a full minute. But Lucian didn’t move. He didn’t stop her. Didn’t speak. Didn’t pull her into his arms.
