Chapter 12

"Yeah, a slave!" Eric lifted his hand and slowly ran his fingers through her hair, as if handling something he cherished above all else. But the words he spoke felt like a dagger to her heart, almost making her wish for death. "Isn’t this what you wanted? Money. You didn’t want to be my wife? Here, I’m giving it to you, and you still reject me—reject a man like me? Do you think I’m disgusting?" He continued stroking her hair, his touch gentle, but when his fingers reached her chin, he gripped it tightly. "What gives you the right to call me disgusting? What gives you the right to turn me away, huh? You’re far worse than I could ever be. Do you know that?" Eric gritted his teeth, his hand squeezing her chin so hard it felt like it might break. The pain was unbearable, and Stella’s eyes filled with tears. She tried to pry his hand away, but it was futile. Her voice trembled as she pleaded, "Shut up! I didn’t—" "You filthy woman," Eric sneered. "Now that I’ve bought you with money, you’re never getting away from me. The more you hate seeing me, the more I’ll make you suffer." He laughed bitterly, loosening his grip on her chin, and casually pulled a handkerchief from his suit pocket, wiping his fingers with an almost elegant grace—as though he’d touched something revolting. Stella’s voice cracked as she begged, "Let’s break the deal... Let’s break the deal! The fifty million dollars... I’ll find a way to pay you back. You won’t make me your slave! You can’t insult me like this!" Eric’s gaze flickered with rage, but when he saw the pale despair on her face, the faint redness around her eyes, and the red marks on her chin from his earlier grip, he forcibly suppressed his anger. With a sharp motion, he tossed the papers aside. "Not a chance!" he barked. "I told you, you’re not leaving me. Not now, not ever!" With a swift motion, he shoved her into the bedroom and slammed the door behind them, locking it with a key. "Eric! Let me out! You bastard!" Stella screamed, pounding on the door, shaking the handle in a desperate attempt to free herself. Eric ignored her, striding into the living room to grab his coat and slip on his shoes. He walked out of the house, locking the front door behind him. Click. Stella heard the sound of his car starting from outside the window. She hurried to the window, pulled back the curtain, and looked down—sure enough, he was driving away. He was gone. Stella gripped the curtain tightly, her arms trembling from the force of her grip. It took a long time for her to calm down. All the restraint she’d been holding in finally collapsed, and she allowed herself to break down, dropping the curtain and collapsing against the window, unable to hold back her sobs. ... When Lillian opened the door, she found Stella sitting on the floor, staring vacantly out the window. She looked like a lifeless fish, Lillian thought to herself, pursing her lips as she slowly approached, her high heels clicking sharply on the floor. "What are you doing sitting on the floor like that? Is that how a Luna should behave?" Lillian, her hand adorned with expensive jewelry and impeccably manicured nails, looked down on Stella from her position of superiority. "Mother...?" Stella snapped out of her daze, quickly standing up and hastily wiping her face, managing a faint smile. Lillian made a small face, still not quite used to being called "mother" by Stella. She adjusted her perfectly styled hair, turned on her heel, and said, "Come with me." Stella followed Lillian into the living room, where Lillian took a seat without saying a word. Stella, feeling uneasy, asked, "Mother, would you like something to drink? I can make you some tea." She always felt an unsettling tension around this demanding woman. In truth, she and Lillian had never gotten along, but Lillian was her elder and Eric's mother, so respect was still expected. Lillian raised a hand, silencing her. "Sit down. We need to talk." Stella had no choice but to comply, sitting down on the sofa, her posture stiff and formal, like a student being scolded. Lillian motioned toward the coffee table with a slight tilt of her chin and, glancing at her sideways, asked, "So, what's this about breaking the bond? Is it you wanting to break the mark with Eric, or has Eric decided he no longer wants you?" Stella hesitated before answering, her voice quiet and strained. "It's me wanting to break the mark with Eric." Lillian let out a short laugh, a smile spreading across her face. "I’m surprised you still have some self-awareness. You’ve dragged our Eric around for two years. You know, I’ve never been satisfied with you as my daughter-in-law. When you two mated, I told you—you’re not good enough for Eric. Breaking the mark was inevitable." Stella’s fingers tightened around the hem of her skirt, her knuckles turning white. "Eric actually kept you locked up at home? Hmph. Well, that's better. At least he won't embarrass himself in public. Your family’s being treated like rats in the street now, you know!" Lillian continued, watching Stella’s pale face, her words becoming sharper. Stella released the grip on her skirt and, meeting Lillian’s gaze, replied firmly, "I know, Mother. I will break the mark with Eric. I’ll leave soon. But I have one condition." Lillian sneered, her disdain obvious. "I knew it. People like you always have demands. What’s the condition? Or should I ask, how much are you asking for?" "I don’t want money," Stella replied, holding Lillian’s puzzled gaze. "I just want to break the mark with Eric and never see him again. I don’t want him coming after me." "Is it really that simple?" Lillian asked skeptically. "How could Eric possibly come after you? You’re just daydreaming." Stella stood up, bowing slightly. "Well then, Aunt, I’ll go pack and leave." "Go ahead," Lillian said with a nod, watching as Stella quickly gathered a few clothes and personal items, grabbing her phone and wallet from the TV stand. After saying her goodbyes, she left the room. Only then did Lillian feel her tension ease. "She’s overthinking things. Eric chasing after her? What a joke!" Lillian muttered to herself, slipping on her high heels as she left the house. Eric’s Corporation. Boss’s Office. After his meeting, Eric returned to his office and found Lillian sitting on the sofa, sipping tea. He frowned. His selfish mother cared more about her own interests and the family business than about him. She rarely visited him here—more often than not, she stayed at home, living the life of a wealthy matron. The fact that she was here today was surely no good sign. "Mom, what brings you here?" Eric loosened his tie and walked over to sit on the other sofa next to her. Lillian’s response was blunt. "Break the bond with Stella."