Chapter 6
706words
What mattered most was that she was deeply in love with me back then.
York, frustrated and spurned, turned his sights on me. That was when I found out the truth—he was behind my family's downfall. Rage boiled inside me, and I was ready to tear him apart.
However, before I could even land a punch, his bodyguard took me down with a single blow, leaving me groaning on the floor.
York stood over me, his smug grin like a knife twisting in my gut. "Susanna loves you, doesn't she?" he taunted. "And you love her. But what's that love really worth?"
He crouched down, his voice dropping to a whisper that chilled me. "Her dad's dying, Matthew. If he dies because she can't afford treatment, do you think she'll ever forgive herself? Do you think your love can survive the weight of that?"
I clenched my fists, but I was powerless as I was pinned to the ground.
"Here's the deal," York continued. "Play along in my little game, and I'll spare your family from complete ruin. I'll even throw in some cash to sweeten the deal."
Devastated, I stumbled back home and told my parents everything. Their reaction was not what I expected. Dad slapped me, hard.
"Are you out of your mind?" he barked, the cigarette in his hand burning down. It seemed that each puff was stealing years from him. "We might not be rich anymore, but we can figure something out."
Mom nodded, her eyes red from crying. "We should sell the house and get Susanna's dad the help he needs. She's been nothing but good to Yvan."
I did not sleep that night. My mind raced, guilt eating me alive. By morning, I had made my decision—I had to confront York.
York's plan was sick. He wanted to stage a fake kidnapping, getting both me and Susanna tied up and thrown into some warehouse so that she would see the "real" me. His twisted logic was that if I played the villain, she would finally stop loving me.
I would never forget the moment they pulled the blindfold off and I saw her, tied up across from me. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with fear.
The kidnapper—the one York hired—played his sick little game. "Only one of you walks out of here. Beg me, and maybe I'll decide who lives."
Susanna's voice broke first. "P-Please, let him go," she uttered amidst heavy sobs. I saw the moment her pride shattered, and it was all to save me.
Guilt ripped through me, but I had to stick to the plan. I lashed out at her, kicking her and slapping her—each blow more painful for me than for her. Her eyes were wide with betrayal, and I could barely look at her.
"You're pathetic," I sneered, spitting out the words like poison. "You're not worth it."
Then, I turned to the kidnapper, putting on a sickening charm. "Hey, she's begging for me to be let go. How about letting me go?"
The kidnapper laughed, clearly entertained. "I'm a sucker for twisted love stories. You're free to go."
I stood up and walked toward the warehouse door, the light beckoning me. Every step felt like I was walking through fire. I could feel her eyes on me, burning with disbelief and heartbreak.
Just as I reached the door, I glanced back one last time. Susanna looked at me, and despite everything, she smiled. "Make it count," she whispered, her voice soft but steady.
I walked out, pretending I did not care. However, the second I was out of sight, I broke down with tears pouring out uncontrollably.
Moments later, York strutted into the warehouse like he was the hero, ready to rescue her. As he passed me by, he shot me a smug grin, like he had won some twisted game.
