Sober Rebirth

When I next woke up, my eyes had been covered. I could not see even the smallest pinprick of light.

My hands and legs were bound. Pain radiated from my back.

The rope that bound me was lifted. Then, my feet were submerged in icy water.

The water rose, slowly enveloping my chest and head…

I could not breathe. I could not even scream for help.

Eventually, I was raised up again as I thrashed violently.

I gulped in huge lungfuls of air and coughed so hard until I could not make any more noise. The person at the edge of the pool finally spoke up.

“You’ve offended somebody you shouldn’t have. That person has sent me to torment you.”

Before I could say anything, I was tossed back into the water.

It happened many times. Every time I felt like I was about to drown, I was lifted out of the water.

Finally, I was left on the ground as my tormentor made a phone call. “It’s done, boss.”

I could hear Connor on the other end of the line. “Leave immediately. I’ll deal with the rest of it.”

Not long afterward, the sound of hurried footsteps came from afar. After that, I was released from my bonds and held in a warm embrace.

Before I blacked out, I saw Connor’s teary eyes.

“I’m sorry, Willow. I can’t bear to hurt you, but you should not have hurt Wendy. You must remember this lesson well.”

Why was Connor acting like he could not bear to hurt me, when he was the one who ordered my torment?

This was just like the contradictory relationship we had in the previous timeline.

Connor brought me back to my apartment.

After my mother’s death, Connor would visit me often to look after me. I had even given him a key.

He got a doctor to make a house call. After the doctor made sure I was okay, Connor spent the night at my bedside, caring for me.

“I’m sorry, Willow. After our wedding, I’ll make it all up to you.”

That was what I heard him say at dawn before he left.

But there will not be any weddings. I would make certain of it.

I sat up. My head was still hurting.

Because my legs had been bound last night, I walked with a slight limp in my right leg.

I patted my pocket. The figurine of my mother was still there, thankfully.

The door was suddenly kicked open. Wendy stormed before me.

Behind her were the usual wealthy socialites who followed her around.

Seeing how ragged I looked, Wendy burst out laughing. “What happened to you, Sis?”

I did not reply. Just as I wanted to leave, Wendy said, “Do you know why you nearly drowned last night?

“Connor didn’t go to the amusement park with you last night, did he? It’s such a shame that he doesn’t know you’ll be going overseas to fulfill that marriage agreement, or that you wanted to say goodbye to him last night.

“All I said to him was that you went home, threw another tantrum, and pushed me into the pool. After that, he arranged for someone to kidnap you to punish you. I paid the kidnappers extra so they would keep dunking you into the water. You poor thing, Willow!”

“Shut up. Aren’t you worried that Connor will find out the truth? He hates liars.”

Wendy looked even more delighted. “And how would he know? You’ll be going overseas soon. Three wives of that mafia don died. How long do you think you’ll survive?”

Wendy gave a signal, and several people came up to pin me to the floor. Wendy took the figurine from my hand.

“Didn’t you say that I got everything I have from you?” As she spoke, she raised her hand high. “In that case, I want you to watch as I destroy everything you have.”

“No!” I shouted.

But it was no use. The figurine landed on the floor and shattered into unrecognizable pieces.

Before I could pick the pieces up and try to put them back together, Wendy ordered the bodyguards to toss me into the car and send me to the airport.

By the time Connor finished his work and came to the apartment to look for me, the place was blanketed in darkness.

He felt a sense of unease rise within him, and he rushed to Lidell Manor.

“Mr. Liddell, where is Willow?”

“Willow? She should have arrived in Hurac by now.”

Connor’s heart kicked into overdrive. His voice trembled as he asked, “Why is she in Hurac?”