Chapter 2

The secret door was violently pushed open.

Julian stood silhouetted against the light in the doorway. When he saw it was me, a flicker of panic darted in his eyes.

But it was only for an instant, before his usual aloof, cold demeanor returned.

Scarlett followed behind him. Seeing my disheveled state, she covered her mouth and let out a laugh.

"Oh dear, the lab rat escaped."

I ignored her, just stared intensely into Julian's eyes, my body trembling uncontrollably.

"Three years..." I heard my own cracked voice. "Julian, these past three years, you were lying to me the entire time?"

Julian stepped forward, instinctively reaching out to touch me.

"Ember, calm down. You're very unstable right now, this isn't good for your condition."

"Don't touch me!"

I screamed, violently swatting his hand away.

My severe haphephobia immediately flared up. The spot he touched felt like it was crawling with a thousand ants, and my stomach churned violently.

Gagging, I collapsed to the floor.

Julian frowned, looking down at me, his tone finally dropping all pretense.

"Since you've heard everything, there's no need for me to keep up the act."

He adjusted his tie, his eyes cold and dismissive. "Ember, you need to face reality. You're a patient with severe psychological issues. Without me, you'd be lost in the darkness by now."

"I gave you three years of normal life. You cooperate with me to complete the final data collection, we both get what we want. It's fair."

Fair?

I looked up at this man I once worshipped, and laughed until tears streamed down my face.

He pulled me out of one abyss, only to push me into an even deeper hell.

Scarlett stepped forward, her high heel crunching on my skirt.

"Why waste words on a lunatic?" She looked at me scornfully. "If it weren't for Julian's academic standing, do you think you'd be living in this mansion? Just finish the experiment and get out of my sight."

I bit my lip hard, staring at Julian: "What if I don't cooperate?"

Julian crouched down, his long, slender fingers gripping my chin, his eyes sinister.

"Ember, you don't have the right to refuse. In your current mental state, all it takes is one word from me to have you forcefully admitted to a high-security psychiatric facility."

"You'd better be obedient."