The Dust Has Settled, And Our Debts Repaid

After I ended the call, I stared at the ceiling silently.

Nine years ago, Holly was killed in that fire.

Everyone was affected, and I was the only one without an alibi.

The police investigated for an entire night and finally claimed that they suspected that I was behind the fire. The reason they quoted was because of the slot for the best postgraduate programme.

I laughed in disbelief, but no one believed me.

I had cried, made a scene, and even tried to prove my innocence by attempting suicide, but Brandon stopped all of my attempts.

“Aspen, don’t try to use death to gain my sympathy.

“I won’t forgive you just because you die, do you understand me? From today onwards, I have nothing to do with you.”

From then on, I had completely given up.

I went overseas to study for two years.

It was until I returned to the country that I learned that I was forced into an arranged marriage with him.

Brandon suddenly opened the door to my hospital ward and glared fiercely at me. “Where did you hide Poppy? Why did she suddenly disappear?”

After he said that, he choked me, and I could not breathe.

“I… I didn’t.”

Blood drained out from my face.

However, Brandon kept squeezing down. “If you don’t tell me, I’m going to kill you.”

He did not sound like he was kidding.

I opened my mouth, but I could not say a word.

“Do you really think I wouldn’t dare to kill you?” Brandon sneered.

The next second, he tightened his grip even further.

Just when I was about to suffocate, he suddenly let go and threw me on my hospital bed. “Aspen, I didn’t think you’d still be the same vicious killer!”

Brandon’s voice turned hoarse.

“But I still can’t bring myself to kill you.

“Don’t worry, Aspen, I’ll no longer love you.”

I felt hurt. His words were like salt on my wounds.

Tears started to stream down my cheeks.

“Brandon, how many times do I have to prove myself to you?! You’d rather trust someone else than me!

“Now that Poppy’s missing, the first person you’re suspecting is still me! I’ve been lying here in this hospital all along, how could I possibly leave to kidnap her?! Forget it, just do whatever you want!”

After I said that, I calmed down.