Reborn: The Tyrant's Obsession novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Hurt me instead

Silence pervaded the study.

’’Second Master, Miss Yu doesn’t seem to be playing tricks or scheming against us this time... We misunderstood her gravely and now...’’

The chair scraped against the floor. Before the man could finish, Adrian was gone.

The door to Ella’s room was kicked open with a force that rattled the walls.

BANG!

’’AHHH!"

The moment Adrian stepped inside, a heart-wrenching scream tore through the air.

His breath caught. His vision blurred for a split second. Where was she?

His heartbeat thundered in his ears as his gaze swept the room—then halted.

Behind the bed.

Ella sat curled up on the floor, one arm wrapped around her knees, the other hand pressing a fruit knife to her throat.

"Don’t... come over..." Her voice was thin, hollow. Her dazed eyes flickered to his face, filled with hatred so deep it could curdle blood.

And disgust.

Adrian’s chest tightened. His fingers curled into fists.

When had it changed?

Had it been a week? More? She had begun looking at him differently.

She had brought him lunch, eaten with him, and cared for him.

She had renovated the mansion library, cooked for him, and even suggested raising a pet together. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

She told him she would try. She told him she would stand by his side.

And she did.

She had taken slow, careful steps into his world. Only for him to rip the floor from beneath her feet.

Blinded by rage, he had locked her up like a criminal. Ignored her pleas. Crushed every fragile effort she had made to change.

How could she not hate him?

A chill seeped into his bones.

Slowly, Adrian stepped forward.

Her hazy eyes cleared up a bit. Her lips parted.

She looked at him with a hint of confusion.

When he reached out towards her, she flinched.

He retracted his hand, his fingers curling into fists.

There was only a distance of one step between them yet they seemed to be miles apart.

Adrian dropped on one knee in front of her and extended his hand towards her, still keeping a distance between them.

Her body was shaking. With tears rolling down her cheeks, she backed into the corner, pushing herself back against the bedside table.

Adrian paused, his hand hovering midair. "Hurt me instead.’’

Ella froze.

The familiar deep voice seemed to sink deep into her consciousness.

In a daze, she dropped the knife in her hand onto the floor.

Adrian pushed the knife away swiftly without averting his gaze from her and pulled her into his arms.

In a trance, Ella clutched his collar. Her body trembled as she crawled into his arms. Tears rolled down her cheeks and stained his shirt, ’’I... did... not... Trust me... I did... not... do anything... I have... changed... I won’t... I...’’

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