"James! Calm down, I was set up!"
Emily fought back, but his grip didn't loosen one bit.
"Set up? You think I didn't see you all over him, ready to run off together?"
His voice was full of mockery. "Emily, do you really take me for a fool?"
She couldn't even open her eyes, frantically shaking her head, but the water still flooded her mouth and nose.
Anger. Shame. A mess of emotions dragged her under.
Her face flushed as she choked, tears pouring out of the corners of her eyes.
Finally, James moved the shower away, then yanked her by the hair and shoved her head into the sink.
"You clear-headed now? You still thinking of running?"
His tone was like ice, frighteningly calm.
Emily couldn't breathe in the sink; water shot into her throat and she started choking hard.
Her eyes were wide, sharp nails digging into his hand as she fought to break free and gasped back to the surface.
Her coughs t

"Emily..."
His voice was low and husky, nothing like his usual cold edge. It carried a softness that crept right into your bones.
A flicker of jealousy flashed across her eyes. She leaned in, kissed him, and slipped her hand down between them.
But in the next second, his hand clamped down on hers, stopping her movement, and he suddenly shoved her away. The bedside lamp clicked on.
"Sophie?" His gaze was sharp and awake—cool, even. His brows pinched together.
Sophie tugged her shirt aside around the waist, baring her flawless skin. Her eyes sparkled as she bit her lip.
"James, I need you," she whispered.
"Just leave. I'm not in the mood." He rubbed his brow, trying to hide the frustration in his eyes.
"Not in the mood? But somehow you're always in the mood for that bitch?"
Her voice trembled with anger. Seeing his face darken slightly, she quickly softened her tone, putting on that famili

Emily was locked up.
The door was shut tight, her phone was taken away, and all her connections to the outside world were cut off.
She lay in bed, drowning in loneliness and despair. Every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was blood—her brother, her child...
Nightmares haunted her endlessly, and she was wasting away fast. James never showed up again.
No one knew how much time had passed before the door creaked open, and harsh light flooded the room.
A tall figure stepped in, backlit by the light. She couldn't make out who it was.
Next thing she knew, she was in a warm embrace.
"Emily, I'm sorry... I came too late…"
She froze. It was Daniel.
Daniel scooped her up, shocked at how thin she'd become. Holding her tighter, he said, "Emily, I'm getting you out of here!"
"Daniel?" Emily called out in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"You didn't text me?" Daniel looked confused but didn't slow down. "We can talk later. Let's get out first."
Something didn't feel right. A bad feeling crept into Emily's chest.
Sure enough, just a few steps out, a woman blocked the doorway.
Eyes gleaming with triumph, she pointed at Emily and snapped, "Emily, sneaking another man into James' house? How bold can you get?"
It was Sophie.
The second Emily saw her, the pieces clicked. They walked right into a trap.
Emily started struggling in Daniel's arms, panic setting in. "Daniel, put me down. You have to go, now!"
"No way," Daniel snapped, hugging her tight. He glared at Sophie. "I'm taking her. Tell James — I'm coming for him."
Sophie's smirk twisted, then her face shifted to a look of mock outrage as her eyes flicked toward the corner of the hallway.
"Emily, James was good to you. Why would you stab him in the back like this?"
Good to her?
He killed her brother. Her baby. Forced her to give up her liver. That's “good”?
Emily let out a cold laugh. "Me leaving should make you happy. No need for the fake pity."
Sensing the anger in her voice, Daniel quickened his pace, holding her even closer.
But just as they reached the front door, a figure stood there — back to them, chillingly still.He turned around, and Emily went pale in an instant.
"Running away?" James scoffed, eyes ice-cold and dark.
Daniel set her down and shielded her with his body, voice low and sharp,
"James, you're scum. Who gave you the right to lock her up?"
James shot a look at Emily, his tone laced with menace,
"Calling it prison when it's her own house? Then what do you call sneaking off with another man? Emily, you've really let me down."
Her eyes met his, then immediately dropped as she shrank behind Daniel.
James's expression darkened, fury bubbling to the surface.
"Don't worry," Daniel said as he blocked her, standing firm. "James, if you don't love her, then let her go. At least show some decency."
James let out a sharp laugh, voice dripping sarcasm.
"She knows pretty well what kind of man I am—especially in bed. You think her screams were because she hated it?"
Daniel's face turned grim. Through gritted teeth, he spat, "…Bastard!"
"Daniel!" James's tone turned icy. "I'm spending quality time with my wife. Don't have time to chat. Leave now, or I'll make sure you crawl out."
"You lay a hand on me and I swear—" Daniel growled, jaw tight. "I'm not letting you take her back!"
James sneered, raising a hand. Instantly, guards stormed in.
"Beat him. Don't hold back."
His voice was cold as steel, and Emily felt a chill deep in her bones.
Things were bad enough—she couldn't drag Daniel down with her.
She rushed forward, clutching James's sleeve.
"If you're mad, then take it out on me! Leave him out of this!"
James's face twisted with rage. "Still pleading for him? You think you can get away from me, babe?"
He seized her waist and hauled her over his shoulder, heading back indoors with heavy steps.
Emily kicked and flailed, desperately trying to get free.
James turned his head and sank his teeth into her thigh, cloth doing little to shield her from the pain. It felt like he was going to tear her apart.
A scream tore from her throat, sweat pouring down her face.
BAM—
James kicked the door shut and dragged her into the bathroom.
Fisting her hair, he yanked her head up and aimed the showerhead at her face.
"You like showing your face around with other men? Let's see how pretty you look after this."
The icy words stung more than the water. Emily felt herself falling into a frozen abyss.

"James! Calm down, I was set up!"
Emily fought back, but his grip didn't loosen one bit.
"Set up? You think I didn't see you all over him, ready to run off together?"
His voice was full of mockery. "Emily, do you really take me for a fool?"
She couldn't even open her eyes, frantically shaking her head, but the water still flooded her mouth and nose.
Anger. Shame. A mess of emotions dragged her under.
Her face flushed as she choked, tears pouring out of the corners of her eyes.
Finally, James moved the shower away, then yanked her by the hair and shoved her head into the sink.
"You clear-headed now? You still thinking of running?"
His tone was like ice, frighteningly calm.
Emily couldn't breathe in the sink; water shot into her throat and she started choking hard.
Her eyes were wide, sharp nails digging into his hand as she fought to break free and gasped back to the surface.
Her coughs tore through the air, so violent it seemed like her lungs would give out.
That day's disgusting taste

Chapter 15