Obsession His Runaway Bride (Noelle and Adrian) novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Lifeless

Grace slammed the door to her room with a force that sent an echo rippling down the hallway. The sharp sound barely registered in her ears and was drowned out by the dull, throbbing pain in her side. She sucked in a breath as her fingers instinctively clutched the blood–soaked gauze wrapped around her torso. The bandages were useless now as they were wet with crimson, sticking to her skin that reminded her of her failed death once again.

With a frustrated groan, she tore the fabric away, wincing as fresh pain lanced through her body. But she ignored it. Pain was nothing new. It was familiar both physically and emotionally. It was the one thing that had stayed constant in her life.

Grace began dragging herself to the bathroom and rummaged through the cabinet, pulling out the supplies she had stashed long ago. Sterile gauze, antiseptic, medical tape. She had learned how to take care of herself a long time ago. No doctors, no nurses. No one to fuss over her, because there really is none.

She pressed the gauze to her wound and inhaled sharply as the sting; burned through her nerves. Her hands were steady despite the pain, despite the exhaustion clawing at the edges of her mind, she did not have the luxury of weakness,

Grace should not have come back here.

But she had no choice.

She had nothing. She had no inheritance, assets, nor money to her name. She was bound to this estate, shackled to a family that had never wanted her. How pathetic was that? If she had been born into a normal life, she could have walked away. She could have left. But fate was cruel. Fate had carved her path in blood, and she had no choice but to walk it.

As she tied off the bandage, she let out a slow breath and turned on the faucet. Cold water ran over her hands, washing away the remnants of blood before she splashed it against her face. The chill seeped into her skin, grounding her for a moment.

Then, finally, she lifted her head and stared into the mirror.

What stared back at her was a woman she barely recognized. Hollow eyes, weary, distant. A ghost of someone who had once been full of fire.

And yet, all she could do was laugh.

It started as a chuckle, dry and bitter, but it quickly twisted into something broken. Her shoulders trembled as she laughed and teared up at the same time, the contradiction of emotions clawing at her chest until it ached.

“Come on, Faith,” she breathed, her voice shaking. “You hate me this much? You had to make me suffer this long?” Her fingers curled over the edge of the sink, gripping it tightly as if it was the only thing keeping her upright.

She met her own gaze in the mirror, searching for anything that could answer her. But there was nothing.

Only realization.

Understanding.

“I see…” she whispered with

a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “I must go through everything you went through before I am paid for my sin.”

Her reflection blurred through the unshed tears in her eyes.

“Then I guess I’ll do that,” she murmured, shaking her head as she wiped her face.

Without another word, Grace turned and left the bathroom.

Marco on the other hand, had barely stepped foot into the estate before he was moving again. His pulse was still uneven from the drive while his mind was still racing from everything the doctor had told him, but none of that mattered right now. He had to see her.

1/3

Chapter 85 lifeless

+25 BONUS

He climbed the stairs two at a time, his feet carrying him straight her room. His movements were quick but the moment he reached her door, he hesitated. His hand hovered over the surfaces her fingers curled into a fist. For some reason, he did not knock right away. His jaw clenched slightly as he exhaled, gather himself before finally speaking.

“Grace…” The name barely left his lips before he stopped himself. He stared at the door for a brief moment before straightening his posture, his expression shifting.

“Miss Blackwood.” he corrected himself.

The moment he addressed her that way, he immediately heard the soft shuffle of movement before her voice came through the door.

“What?”

“Can I talk to you?” he asked. “Face to face.

There was silence on the other side. Long enough that he wondered if she would even answer.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open.

Grace stood there, already clothed in loose, comfortable clothes that concealed the wounds beneath. The sight made his chest loosen slightly, though the tension never fully left him.

She stared at him with a look so impassive, so detached, that it almost infuriated him. Almost.

“What?” she repeated, her tone devoid of emotion.

Marco held her gaze, searching for anything that would tell him what was going on inside her head. But there was nothing. Just that cold, unbothered mask she always wore when she wanted to keep people at arm’s length.

“What do you want?” Grace asked in an indifferent tone as if Marce was nothing more than another inconvenience she had to

tolerate.

Marco exhaled slowly, lowering his gaze to the floor before speaking.

“I’m really sorry for what I said that night. Calling you…” He paused as hesitation flickered across his face before he finally forced the words out.

“…disgusting and all that.”

It felt strange to say it aloud now, after everything that had happened. The words that had once held so much venom now felt like poison in his mouth instead.

Slowly, he lifted his gaze back to her, searching for any sign of reaction.

But there was nothing.

Her face remained blank and her eyes looked dull, almost lifeless. She did not flinch. Did not sneer. Did not show even the smallest trace of anger.

Then, she spoke, her voice as cold as ever.

“What night? I don’t remember having a conversation with you.” There was a pause, just long enough to let the bitterness sink in before she continued. “We’re not friends.”

The words caught him off guard.

Marco had expected resistance. Expected rage. Expected her to lash out at him, maybe even throw another‘ this? This dismissive, empty tone? It unsettled him in a way he could not explain.

his way. But

She moved to shut the door.

“If you are only here to disturb my peace, then it’s better you go.”

2/3

Chapter 85 Lifeless

The door would have closed right then and there, but Marco’s fool hot out, blocking it before it could slam in his face.

25 BONUS

“Look, Grace,” he shouted in a whisper that barely contained his fustration. “If you’re mad at me, then be mad at me. Yell at me. Curse at me. Do something. But stop acting like this!”

Grace’s expression did not shift.

She merely stared at him, her lips pressing together in what almost looked like mild amusement. Or perhaps it was nothing at

all.

“Why concern yourself when you really don’t care?”

The mere question startled Marco that he did not know how to respond. And that moment of hesitation was all she needed. So Grace slammed the door shut leaving Marco alone once again.

Today’s Bonus Offer