That day at the estate, Kieran made that promise in front of many people.
So during my hospital stay, neither he nor Camden showed up even once.
When I was discharged after recovery, Kieran’s secretary came to see me.
“Miss Harper, Mr. Kieran says whatever you need, just ask. He’ll do anything he can.”
I looked calmly at the gentle, refined secretary in front of me and spoke quietly.
“I want some money, and I want to go abroad to continue my studies.”
My family background was terrible.
I had two older sisters and a younger brother.
My parents gave all their love and attention to their only son.
Both sisters dropped out early to work and weren’t doing well.
I wanted to give them some money, at least so they could live better.
“Mr. Kieran already arranged for the money.”
“As for studying abroad, whichever country or university you want – it’s all possible.”
I nodded slightly: “Please thank Mr. Kieran for me.”
The secretary stood up, but hesitated as he looked at me.
After a while, he spoke again: “Miss Harper, don’t you have anything you want to say to Mr. Kieran?”
I looked down at my thin wrists.
As if they could snap with just a gentle twist.
Just like ordinary girls like me.
In their eyes, we were nothing more than playthings to be traded at will.
Maybe Kieran really did like me.
Maybe he had some genuine feelings.
But genuine feelings were insignificant compared to wealth and interests.
I shook my head: “Yes, I do.”
The secretary’s face immediately lit up with joy.
I looked up and smiled at him: “Please tell Mr. Kieran that I hope he has a peaceful and successful life.”
“Miss Harper?”
The secretary was obviously surprised: “Nothing else?”
But I had already lain back down.
He couldn’t stay any longer and had to leave.
When I left the hospital, I saw Kieran’s car.
It was parked not far away, windows tightly closed.
I couldn’t see the person inside clearly.
But he should have been able to see me clearly.
He was just being gentlemanly, keeping his promise by not coming over to disturb me.
And I didn’t look back either.
Kieran sat motionless in the car, watching her walk away step by step.
Until he couldn’t see her anymore.
His secretary asked cautiously: “Sir, should we catch up? There’s still time…”
But Kieran waved his hand: “No need. Let’s go back.”
The car started and slowly merged into the traffic on the main road.
Kieran leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.
In the gentle swaying, he seemed to fall asleep after not sleeping for several days.
He seemed to return to that night again.
He had known about Camden’s bet in advance.
That’s why he had uncharacteristically attended such an absurd gathering.
Uncharacteristically made a bet with his brother.
He couldn’t stand by and watch her, completely in the dark, be offered up as a wager.
Actually, that night he hadn’t planned to do anything to her.
But she had hugged him.
She had sweetly pressed her face against his chest.
She said he smelled good.
He couldn’t hold back and kissed her.
And she didn’t resist at all, even responded obediently.
His selfishness and greed took over in that moment.
He shamefully thought, just once – he’d possess her once under Camden’s identity.
But some things, some people, shouldn’t be touched.
Once there’s a first time, you want a second, you want countless times.
He lost control.
When he saw Camden being harsh with her.
When he heard Camden say he wanted to take her back to the room to see her wound and apply medicine himself.
The last string in his heart finally snapped completely.
He thought, then let me fall completely.
Even if in the end, she would sentence him to death.
But he never imagined she would use such a decisive way to cut ties with them completely.
She said she never wanted to see him again.
Kieran suddenly opened his eyes.
He looked down at the old wound between his thumb and forefinger.
That year when she had viciously bitten him, she had said the same thing.
