Trap Me or Free Me

The Only Link I Had Left

Luna staggered to her feet, grabbing a fistful of my hair and slamming my head against the wall.

A wave of searing pain hit me, nearly knocking me out. My vision blurred, but instinct took over as I gripped her wrist tightly.

I lifted my head, exposing my collarbone. I deliberately curled my lips into a mocking smile and sneered. "If York finds out you came here to throw a tantrum, he won't let it slide. Locking me up was his way of protecting me. A man like him, broadcasting to the world that you're his girlfriend—do you really think that's a blessing?"

Luna's twisted grin spread across her face as if I had just told the most ridiculous joke. "You think he doesn't know I'm here? Don't kid yourself into believing you're important to him. You're nothing more than—"

She froze mid-sentence, her eyes suddenly fixated on my collarbone.

The violet jade necklace. The very one York had personally placed on me last night.

"Why is that on you?" she hissed.

She looked like a steaming kettle as she lunged for the necklace, her hands clawing at it.

After several failed attempts, I felt the chain dig into the back of my neck, drawing blood.

I couldn't help but cry out in pain as I lifted my gaze toward the outside.

The only sound was the distant barking of dogs—no sign of life anywhere.

All the guards York had stationed on the island were mysteriously absent, leaving me feeling vulnerable.

I let out a gasp of pain.

The chain finally snapped.

Luna's eyes lit up as she gazed at the necklace in her hands. "I heard that when York returned to the country, he spent a fortune at the auction—was it 100 million for this?"

I lay prostrate on the ground, my eyes drifting to Quinn, who was conversing with Luna.

Without him, she wouldn't have made it onto this island.

It was no wonder Luna believed she could be here—she mistook York's indulgence for affection!

Quinn glanced at Luna with a frown. "We should get down to business. There's not much time left."

Sadly for him, Luna was losing her mind. "What's the rush? I haven't even started teaching her a lesson!"

Suddenly, she produced a small fruit knife, waving it menacingly in front of my face. "Ending you quickly would just make it too easy. You've got quite the sharp tongue. I'm very curious to see how long you can keep that mouth of yours going!"

As she spoke, she signaled her followers to restrain me, forcing the knife's tip against my flesh.

The pain nearly sent me into oblivion.

Yet, Luna seemed to grow more excited with every passing moment, her slashes growing increasingly brutal.

Before long, my face was a canvas of wounds.

"Come, take a look."

Her laughter was manic as she made me look in the mirror.

My reflection stared back, blood dripping down from the gaping cuts.

Aside from the agony, my mind was blank. The only regret nagging at me was whether Clint would recognize me in the afterlife.

I instinctively brushed my fingers against the tattoo on my inner arm.

He had one, too, a reminder of the day we went together to get inked before he vanished. He chose a rose; I opted for a distant mountain.

He promised that once everything settled, he would take me back home to marry me and ensure a peaceful life together.

Unfortunately, he went missing shortly after making that vow.

"What's this?" Luna ripped open my long sleeve, a sly grin spreading across her face. "You little tramp! You're trying to seduce someone, and it's pretty low. Let's just take it out!"

"No!" I shouted in panic, my heart racing.

This was the only link I had left to Clint. It was my reason to endure each day on this desolate island.

She couldn't take this away from me, too!

I struggled against her, but the frantic movements only made the cuts on my face bleed more.

Still, I was no match for several men.