Chapter 9

Eric's face was dark and menacing, his aura so cold it felt suffocating, as though the very air around him had frozen. Ruby couldn’t help but shiver inwardly. She glanced at Eric's expression, then steeled herself to continue. “Eric, I honestly didn’t want to see you break the bond with her either, considering everything you both…” “Get out!” Eric interrupted, his eyes flashing a dangerous red, like an enraged beast on the verge of madness. His anger radiated from him in waves, making the air thick with hostility. “Get out!” Ruby trembled and quickly stood, not daring to say another word. She grabbed her purse and hurriedly left the room. Inside the room, Eric let out a low growl, struggling to control his fury. He kicked the bedside table with all his might, shattering it. Stella—she had truly made up her mind to break the bond with him! That woman... how dare she? The more Eric thought about it, the angrier he became. It felt as if a knife were slashing through his heart, over and over, making him ache with rage. Like an uncontrollable lion, he lashed out, knocking over the coffee table and chairs in a frenzy. His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. She wanted to break the bond? She wanted to leave him? No way. Eric released his fists but then stormed toward the door, yanking it open. In the adjacent room, just on the other side of the wall… After returning to her room, Stella began packing her things, her tears welling up as she did. There was no longer any reason for her to stay at the hospital. Eric now had someone more important by his side—someone who didn’t need her attention or care. What was she still doing here, lingering as a burden? Grabbing her bag, Stella turned to leave, only to suddenly crash into the furious Eric, who was storming toward her. His eyes were bloodshot, filled with murderous intent, his glare sharp enough to pierce through her, as if he meant to punish her. Stella froze, instinctively stepping back in fear. Eric, tall and imposing, closed the distance in just two steps, cornering her against the wall. His eyes fell on the bag she had packed, and his voice, cold as ice, cut through the air. “Why the rush to leave? Haven’t you decided to break the bond with me yet?” Stella didn’t understand why he was suddenly in such a foul mood. She didn’t want to think about it. All she wanted was to leave. Eric grabbed her, forcing her onto the bed. With a swift motion, he tore her underwear off, his body reacting with urgency. Stella gasped, quickly turning her head away. He shook his head, a wicked smile on his lips, then lowered himself to grab her chest, kneading roughly before sucking on one. “Does this feel good?” Stella did her best to ignore him, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, her vision blurred and unfocused. Eric’s large hand pressed against her legs, his gaze dark and cold, filled with a predatory intensity. Without warning, he thrust into her, his hardness piercing her sensitive body. “Aahh!!” The pain tore through her as he entered forcefully, her body unprepared. She could barely register it before he was deep inside, causing her to wince. Eric, seeing her unresponsive and frozen in place, lost interest. He carelessly pushed her away. “Still the same. You won’t let me touch you, will you?” “Move aside.” Stella managed to gather herself, standing up and meeting his eyes. She did her best to remain calm as she glared at him. “Move aside?” Eric stepped closer instead, his voice dripping with venom. “What, do you have another lover now? You’re so eager to break the bond with me and run off to be with him, aren’t you?!” His voice grew colder, more unhinged with every word. Two years ago, he had witnessed her betrayal with his own eyes, and the memory resurfaced clearly. They had only been married for a month. He had been full of joy and expectation, thinking they would build the kind of family everyone would envy. But this woman... she had slept with a client to seal a business deal! At first, he hadn’t believed it. But then, he had seen it for himself. To see that woman’s flushed face, to watch her shamelessly fall into the arms of a stranger... This was Stella—Stella, who would do anything for money. Eric had kept quiet about it all this time, seeking petty revenge by pretending to cheat. But he never expected that this woman wouldn’t care about his revenge at all. “Eric, what nonsense are you talking about?” Stella couldn’t fully understand his words, but the pressure of his sharp presence was suffocating. She pushed against his chest, trying to create some space, desperate for air. “Stay away from me!” Stay away from her? Eric’s eyes darkened, a dangerous glint flickering in them, and all control slipped away. He took another step forward, their bodies almost touching. Reaching out, he grabbed her chin, lifting it with force. “Stella, don’t you like money? I’ll give you some,” Eric sneered, his expression twisted and almost grotesque as his fingers tightened around her chin, threatening to crush it. “Ten million, a hundred million—name your price!” Buy her? What did he think she was? A chill ran through Stella’s body as she looked into Eric’s eyes, which now betrayed nothing but cruelty. “Eric, what do you mean?” “My meaning is simple,” he hissed. “I’ll buy you. You’ll be my slave. You want to break our bond? Fine. From now on, you’re not my wife, Stella—you’re my possession. A plaything.” “Slap!” Stella’s hand cracked across Eric’s face, the sound of it echoing in the room. His head jerked to the side from the force, and he stumbled backward, releasing his grip on her. “Eric, you’re a bastard!” Stella choked on her words, pushing past him with all her might. She stormed toward the door, her body stiff, frozen with fury. As she walked, tears blurred her vision. How could Eric speak to her like that? Did he see her as nothing more than an object to be bought? A prostitute he could abuse as long as he had money? Bastard! Her mind was a storm of confusion, and she didn’t notice where she was going until she stumbled straight into a firm, warm chest. “Stella, what’s wrong?” a familiar, cool voice asked from above. Stella snapped back to her senses and hastily wiped her tears away, looking up to see who it was. It was her boss, Anthony. The moment she saw him, she instinctively stiffened and took a step back. But before she could retreat any further, Anthony’s arm tightened around her waist, holding her in place. With a frown, he asked, his voice full of concern, “Has someone been hurting you?” Stella shook her head, about to reassure him it was nothing, when suddenly, Eric’s furious voice echoed from behind. “Stella, get back here!” Each word was a harsh command, no hint of kindness in it. Stella froze. The tears she had just managed to hold back came rushing back. She didn’t want Eric to see her so weak, so vulnerable, so she grabbed onto Anthony’s arm. “Anthony, please, help me. Take me away, please!” Her voice trembled with desperation. Anthony’s gaze shifted slightly, and without hesitation, he pulled her into his embrace. With a calm, fearless expression, he met Eric’s cold, deadly stare. “Let her go,” Eric warned, his voice low and laced with malice. Stella clutched Anthony’s shirt tighter, her shoulders hunched, betraying her fear of Eric. Anthony could feel every ounce of her fear. He gently patted her back, his touch intimate rather than merely reassuring, blurring the lines between comfort and closeness. Eric’s glare intensified, his eyes burning with rage. But Anthony, undeterred, pulled Stella closer, turning away and walking confidently in the opposite direction. Their figures, so close and intimate, walking away together, only fueled the fire inside Eric. The sight was like pouring gasoline on an already raging fire. Eric’s anger escalated to dangerous heights. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to lock that woman away! “Stella, I’ll say this one last time.” Eric’s fists, clenched at his sides, trembled with barely contained fury. “Come back to me!” This was her last chance. If she came back, he would forgive everything that had happened before. But if she chose to leave... he would drag her to hell if he had to, and never let go.