Chapter 5

The pain Tiana expected never came. Someone stepped in front of her. Her lashes trembled as she opened her eyes. The moment she saw that face, the tears she'd been holding back all afternoon finally fell. "Elliot…" Her voice shook. She didn't know if it was because she felt wronged or because she'd been scared half to death. Her gaze moved past Elliot's shoulder to Joseph and Irene, who weren't far from her. Irene looked shaken to the core, and Joseph half-knelt before her, his fingers gently stroking her belly as he whispered something to calm her. Elliot didn't ask a single question. He took out a handkerchief, wiped Tiana's face clean, and took her hand, leading her away. As they brushed past Joseph, he stood up and lightly caught Tiana's wrist, trying to pull her away from Elliot. "Ana, it's not that I didn't want to save you just now. Irene is pregnant… You can understand that, right?" Tiana let out a numb smile. Joseph bent down slightly, his tone pleading as he said, "I just need a month, Tiana. I know you may have heard some rumors lately, but believe me, none of them are true. "I'm already planning our wedding. There are only 29 days to go, and everything I promised you will come true! For now, be good, okay? Don't listen to anything people are saying out there. Don't believe them, alright?" Tiana nodded, feeling drained. No matter how much it hurt and how devastating all of this was, it would only be for a few more days. She would wait and see how Joseph planned to wrap up their seven-year relationship, which would never see the light of day. … Elliot took Tiana home. He waited until she'd calmed down before he spoke, "Want to tell me anything? For instance, whatever's between you and Joseph?" She shook her head, not saying a word. He patted her head. "It's fine if you don't want to talk. You mentioned studying abroad yesterday, and I'm already on it. There's just one thing—do you want me to wipe your identity clean before sending you off? The Quills might be powerful in Jafton, but I'm still capable of hiding one person." Tiana nodded. "I'll be away on a business trip for a week." Elliot grabbed his suitcase. "You need to stay put at home during this time. Don't go anywhere. You don't stand a chance against the Quill family, and you can't handle Irene's schemes. As for our parents… Well, they've never liked you." He added, "No matter how much you suffer, hold it in until I get back." … Tiana was obedient. She used to be obnoxious in Jafton and dared to go around causing trouble because she could rely on Joseph to back her up. Back then, he was just her secret lover. But now, he wasn't anymore. So, once Elliot left, Tiana stayed home like she'd been told. Then, one day, Joseph called her. "Ana, you should be calm by now. Can we meet? I'll explain everything that's happened lately to you in person." He sounded gentle and tender on the other end of the line. Tiana pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the unruly, momentarily frantic heartbeat that she couldn't suppress. "Okay." Joseph sounded delighted. "I'll pick you up!" "Okay." He soon arrived. He acted as if nothing had happened as he took Tiana's hand and led her into the car, carefully leaning over to buckle her seatbelt. When he straightened, he pressed a kiss to her temple. She felt drowsy the moment she got in, and after taking a few sips of the drink he gave her, she soon drifted into a heavy sleep. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in pitch-black darkness. She had a fear of the dark and let out a piercing scream. "What the hell are you doing, Joseph? Let me out! Turn on the light!" Her hands were tied behind her back, and she'd been tossed onto the floor. She couldn't move. As she stared into the deep, endless dark, she felt her fear rise, along with her nausea. "Joseph, turn on the light! Please, I'm begging you!" she cried. Joseph's voice rang out not far away. It was cold, detached, and inhumane. "Ana, I know you're afraid of the dark. This is the most 'gentle' punishment I can think of for you not listening to me. Why did you hide Irene? Didn't I tell you I'd marry you next month? Why didn't you listen? Why did you do these things without thinking? "Irene is pregnant with my family's descendant. This isn't a joke, so stop stirring up trouble. Tell me where Irene is, or you'll regret this, Ana." Tears streamed down Tiana's face as she stared into the boundless darkness. "I already regret it, Joseph. I'm begging you—let me go, please. I don't want you to marry me anymore. I don't want to wait anymore. I brought the past seven years onto myself. Let me go, and we'll be strangers from now on!"