A Heart Closed to Love

I wasn't angry at all and simply walked to the park and sat by myself on a bench. I couldn't help but reminisce as I looked at the sea of twinkling stars in the night sky.

"It's been a while since I've seen so many stars," I murmured to myself.

Suddenly, a hand clamped itself around my wrist before I was slapped hard across the face. My cheek stung and burned at the point of impact, leaving me rooted to the spot, stunned.

James' expression was dark and frightening, his eyes overflowing with unbridled rage. "Katherine Erikson, you vile bitch.

"How dare you send people to humiliate Emily? She was so shaken up by the encounter that she tried to take her own life by slitting her wrists.

"I've already agreed to marry you, so why are you still not satisfied? Will you only be happy if she's dead?"

Unable to keep his anger in check, James raised his hand and slapped me again. I wasn't even given a chance to say anything before he dragged me into the car.

I saw Emily lying on the bed in the ward when we arrived at the hospital. Her complexion was pallid as blood seeped through the bandages wrapped around her wrists. It became immediately obvious that James hadn't been exaggerating when he said Emily tried to take her own life.

Her eyes were squeezed shut when we entered the ward, but she was mumbling nonstop.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have bothered James. Please have mercy on me. Stop hitting me…"

I was about to ask a question when James shoved me from behind.

I staggered forward and collided against the edge of the table. The sudden explosion of pain made the color drain from my face in an instant, yet the loathing in James' eyes only intensified.

"Look at what you've done!" he roared. "Apologize to Emily now!"

Dazed, I looked at him and said, "But… I didn't—"

"Stop lying!"

James was beyond furious. The nurse entering the ward at that moment was the only thing that stopped him from striking me in public.

"The patient lost too much blood. She needs a blood transfusion right now," the nurse explained.

James grabbed my wrist. "Her blood type is also AB. Take her blood!"

It was then that I realized that he had brought me to the hospital for the sole reason of providing blood for Emily. He clearly knew that my body was weak and anemic since I was a child. It was highly likely that I would suffer some terrible side effects if I was forced to donate blood.

However, James made it clear that there would be no room for discussion when he yanked my sleeve up, exclaiming, "It's the least you can do!"

The thick needle pierced my skin, drawing fresh and vivid red blood into the syringe. I lifted my head and looked at James, who was standing to the side, ready to pounce on me if I tried to escape.

"James, have you ever regretted saving me? Even for a moment?"

Stunned by my question, he lowered his eyes to the ground. "I don't regret my decision. I would've saved whoever needed saving that day, regardless of whether it was you or not."

I smiled and turned my head away, not wanting him to see the tears rolling down my cheeks. An intense wave of dizziness washed over me when I stood up after the nurse removed the needle, making me sway on my feet.

James subconsciously reached out to support me, but I pushed him away gently. "I'm never going to bother you again, James. I'm going to let you go, so that I can set myself free too."

Only after being reborn did I realize that James and I were like two thorny vines. The closer we got to each other, the more we hurt each other. Only after exhausting all my strength did I realize that we never should have met in the first place.

Panic and confusion flickered in James' eyes. "What the hell are you talking about?" he demanded. "What do you mean you're setting yourself free? We're about to get married. You—"

The nurse dashed over and interrupted him before he could finish his sentence. "Captain Wesley, Ms. Hill is awake. She keeps asking for you."

James frowned before shooting a troubled look in my direction. I simply smiled in response, saying, "Go ahead. You should attend to her first."

His troubled expression morphed into an odd one, but he still rose to his feet. "I'll be back soon. Wait here. I'll send you home in a while."

I didn't say a word and just watched him leave.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have appeared in your world." I thought to myself. "James, I hope that you stay safe and sound for the rest of your life. I hope you can live out your days in peace and harmony."