11
Just as he was about to open the box, Saoirse quickly pressed his hand down.
“Forget it, Miguel. Opening that now would be so embarrassing.”
Miguel frowned, his eyes flicking toward the paparazzi outside. He hesitated, then tucked the box behind his back.
His next glance at me carried a hint of reproach.
I simply watched them put on their little performance, my face calm, my heart hollow.
There was no rage left, only sorrow.
How utterly ridiculous.
Miguel looked at me again, his gaze flickering. His heartbeat quickened.
But still, he forced himself to keep his expression firm. “Belle, go back to your room first. I’l come find you later.”
That suited me just fine. I didn’t want to stay a second longer.
Without a word, I turned and walked away from the deck.
Late that night, two men in black crept into my room.
A cold cloth soaked in anesthetic pressed over my mouth, and darkness swallowed me.
When I woke, I was slumped in a corner of the deck.
The men held me down tightly, one hand covering my mouth.
‘Shh-”
From my position, I could see Miguel and Saoirse clearly.
But they couldn’t see me.
Their voices drifted through the thin ship wall, each word piercing like glass.
Saoirse spoke in a pitiful voice, “Daddy always told me to give in to Sister since she lost her nom so young. But I like you too. Just because I have a mom, does that mean I have to give up he person I love?”
‘She bullied me since we were kids, stole my toys, pushed me down the stairs, and now she’s even spoiled enough to convince my mom to send me into an arranged marriage…”
She burst into exaggerated sobs.
Listening to her twisted tale, I almost laughed.
The day I lost my mother was the same day I lost the father who once adored me.
I was the one who had everything taken away.
I was the one beaten and bullied.
And now, Saoirse had the nerve to spin the truth with just her mouth.
A flicker of hesitation flashed in Miguel’s eyes. He instinctively avoided mentioning my mother.
But when he saw Saoirse’s tears, his voice softened.
“I’ll treat you well from now on. Your sister, she’s just a little spoiled. Maybe it’s because she
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didn’t have a mother to raise her properly.”
My pupils shrank in an instant.
My mother had always been my final boundary.
Miguel knew that. He couldn’t have forgotten.
But his heart was now crowded with fans, investors, directors, and Saoirse.
There was no longer a place for me.
A bitter laugh slipped past my lips as I lowered my head in silent surrender.
And the very next second, pain tore through my chest like a storm, making my body tremble uncontrollably.
“I don’t love Belle. I’ve only ever loved one person.”
“It was you I fell for. What I had with her was just responsibility.”
C
Saoirse turned deliberately toward me, her eyes gleaming with arrogance.
She flashed a smug smile and mouthed the words like a curse. “Go die, dear sister.”
The moment after, I was bound tightly and thrown into the sea.
I thrashed with all my might, my survival instincts screaming as I fought my way upward.
But my limbs grew heavier and colder until I had no strength left.
Helplessly, I sank toward the ocean’s depths.
Until a hand reached into the darkness and seized me.
The ringing in my ears slowly faded. I coughed violently, choking on seawater.
My vision blurred, but I could feel someone lifting me, cradling me close.
A strong hand supported the back of my neck, gently tilting my head up.
“Belle, open your eyes. See clearly what kind of man you gave your heart to.” My pupils widened in an instant.
Across the waters, Miguel was kissing the woman in his arms.
Marcus’s voice held a quiet heaviness. “If you want to go back, I can…”
“No.”
Soaked and shivering, my body trembled slightly, but inside, I had never felt calmer.
I spoke steadily, “There’s no need. I’m leaving for good.”
Miguel’s figure faded slowly from view, growing smaller and smaller until he disappeared completely.
Marcus’s bodyguard handed me my phone and documents.
I removed the SIM card and tossed it into the sea. Then, I exited every work chat and group, cutting all remaining ties.
The speedboat’s engine hummed beneath me while the sea breeze tangled through my hair.
From this day forward, there would be no more Miguel in my life.
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Never again.
