Chapter 321

"Willow!" Matthew's head jerked up. His eyes blazed with a terrifying red—an unsettling mix of anger, hatred, and maybe even regret. Willow, unfazed by his almost predatory fury, repeated her demand, "Matthew, apologize to Aaron!" Matthew, too proud to ever consider apologizing to someone he deemed insignificant, hesitated. But then his eyes dropped to Willow's left hand. Her hand was wrapped in thick bandages, yet even through the layers, blood had seeped through, staining her skin. The bandages mostly covered the back of her hand. But as he looked closer, he noticed she was missing a finger. Even though the scab where her pinky had once been had healed, the scar couldn't hide the pain she'd endured. And all of this—every bit of her suffering—was his doing. All at once, Matthew felt a wave of weakness wash over him, his legs trembling beneath the weight of his doubts. He had been so certain, so adamant in his belief that Willow was a tainted woman. But now, faced with the truth