Chapter 9

There it was.

Of course he chose her. Why had I expected anything different?

The kidnapper grabbed me and shoved me toward the edge of the dock.

“Adeline!”

Favio shouted my name, but it was too late.

I fell into the sea.

The cold water swallowed me immediately. I couldn't swim. I kicked and struggled, but my clothes dragged me down, and my injured body was already exhausted. I tried to reach the surface, but my lungs were burning, and I could hear nothing except the water rushing around me.

So this was it.

Was I really going to die here after everything?

...

When I opened my eyes again, I was in a hospital room.

My throat was dry, and every part of my body hurt. The first person I saw was Favio. He was sitting beside my bed with his arm wrapped in thick bandages.

The moment he noticed I was awake, he stood. “Addy, you're awake. Thank God.”

I stared at him. My heart hardened again.

Favio stepped closer. “I know what you're thinking, but Isabella was terrified. I had to save her first, and I swear I wasn't going to leave you behind. I went after you the moment I got her somewhere safe.”

I looked away.

“I don't care.”

He frowned. “Addy.”

“I don't care, Favio.”

My voice was weak, but I meant every word.

He sat beside me. “You nearly died. I got you to the hospital as soon as I could. I stayed until the doctors were sure you were stable.”

I looked at him. “And?”

“And what?”

“What do you want me to say?”

He went quiet.

I didn't have anything left to give him.

The nurse eventually came in and checked my condition. She told Favio that his arm needed proper treatment beause of gun shot and that he should rest, so he left after giving the caregiver instructions to stay with me.

...

I was discharged a few days later and returned to the Guerrero villa alone.

The moment I stepped inside, I saw Isabella in the living room.

She looked completely fine.

She glanced at me and immediately frowned. “Why were you in the hospital again? Do you know how much time and trouble this causes?”

I didn't answer.

She walked closer. “Come with me. We have work to do.”

She reached for my arm, but I pulled away.

“Don't touch me.”

My voice was calm.

That seemed to surprise her.

She stared at me. “What's wrong with you?”

I looked at her for a few seconds before speaking.

“Move, or I'll kill you right now. Don't push me, Isabella. I know all your dirty secrets. Once I tell Favio everything, do you really think he'll still treat you like a princess? So move.”

For once, Isabella didn't have an immediate answer.

Her face changed, and I could see the anger building in her eyes.

I didn't wait for her response. I walked past her and went upstairs.

That night, I finally slept without waiting for Favio to come home.

But around midnight, the bedroom door was suddenly kicked open.

Favio stood there, his face furious.

“Where is Isabella?”

I slowly sat up. “I don't know.”

“She isn't in her room.”

I looked at him without expression. “So?”

His eyes narrowed. “What did you say to her?”

“Nothing.”

“Don't lie to me, Adeline.”

“I didn't.”

He walked toward the bed. “She told me you threatened her.”

I stared at him. “I told her not to bother me.”

“What else?”

I was too tired to fight. “I told her that if she kept provoking me, I'd cut off her head and feed it to the dogs. Why?”

His face changed instantly.

“You!”

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of bed.

“Who gave you the right to threaten Isabella like that? You've already hurt her enough! First, you had your men beat her, then you attacked her at the mining site, and now you're threatening to kill her? Basta! How many times do I have to clean up after you?”

I looked at him.

The man standing in front of me was my husband. The man I'd loved for most of my life. Yet I couldn't find even a trace of the boy I used to know.

He tightened his grip.

“You're lucky I still call you my wife. The title of Donna Guerrero means nothing if I don't want it to. I gave you that place because I pitied you, but the woman I truly love is Isabella.”

“You pitied me?”

He didn't answer.

I looked at him through my tears. “Favio, did you forget who chased me for years? You were the one who followed me everywhere. You were the one who said you couldn't live without me. You were the one who stood in front of the priest and promised you'd stay with me through everything.”

His expression stayed cold.

“That's the past.”

“No,” I whispered. “That's my life.”

“Guards! Get her!”

Two bodyguards came into the room.

Favio didn't even bother looking at me when he gave the order. “Take her to the underground cell and strap her to the electric bed. Give her a proper lesson. She needs to understand that she can't keep challenging me and Isabella in this house. Release her when she finally learns to lower her head.”

My entire body went cold.

An electric bed?

He really wanted to do this to me?

“Favio, how dare you!” I struggled against the guards as they grabbed my arms. “You can't do this to me! I'm your wife! Let me go!”

Favio's expression didn't change. “Then start acting like my wife, Addy. I've warned you enough times. I'm done listening to your tantrums.”

“You're a monster!”

One of the guards dragged me toward the door.

I fought them until my injured body couldn't take it anymore. My ribs hurt, my shoulder was still healing, and my legs were barely strong enough to carry me, but they didn't care.

They took me downstairs and strapped me to the metal bed. The restraints were tight around my wrists and ankles.

Then the machine turned on.

Pain tore through my entire body.

I screamed.

My muscles tightened so hard that I couldn't control them. My back lifted from the bed, and every part of me shook against the restraints.

“Stop! Please, stop!”

Nobody answered.

Another surge hit me, and I screamed until my throat felt raw.

I don't know how long it lasted.

Maybe hours.

Maybe longer.

At first, I fought them. I cursed Favio. I begged the guards to stop. I called his name until I had almost no voice left.

By the time they finally released me, I could barely stand. They dragged me upstairs and left me in the living room.