ManyWriters

I was a purveyor of erotic goods, walking the tightrope of legality, supplying adult toys to overseas scam operations.
One day when the delivery guy called in sick, I personally made the drop-off. I woke up in a basement, trapped in a metal cage meant for poultry.
Thankfully, I had shared my real-time location with my boyfriend of many years before setting out.
My boyfriend came to save me, but I watched in horror as Granger tortured him and his team to death right before my eyes.
With his dying breath, my boyfriend whispered: "Run."
I swallowed my pride and became Granger's obedient lapdog in a remote bamboo village deep in the rainforest.
After my carefully plotted revenge failed a year later, I decided to end my life on December 28th. But on that very day, I met her.

I Was Atoning For My Boyfriend's Death When I Met Her

Scarlett was brought back with me like this.


"Are you stupid? If you had followed Granger, you would have endless wealth and glory here."


She spat a mouthful of bloody phlegm onto my newly bought dress.


Without hesitation, I kicked her. She hit the edge of the bed, letting out a muffled cry of pain.


Still not willing to beg for mercy? I frowned.


Walking up to her, I bent down and grabbed her hair, forcing her to look at me:


"You don't seem to understand the principle of 'If you’re not at the table, you’ll probably be on the menu'."


"Don't you have family waiting for you to return? Is dying heroically here really the best ending?"


Hearing this, her expression, which had been ashen, finally showed a change.


Her dry, chapped lips curled into a cold smile: "Still better than being a shameless whore."


I suddenly thought of my boyfriend, feeling an indescribable sadness.


"Let's go!" Someone whispered outside, followed by hurried footsteps.


The people watching finally left. I concealed the emotions in my eyes.


Turning around, I casually grabbed a bottle of wound medicine and tossed it to her.


She didn't catch it. The bottle fell at her feet and rolled a couple of times before stopping.


"What, are you pitying me?" Her voice was hoarse.


I sighed, about to explain when a sharp pain shot through my wrist. The pill bottle hit the ground, scattering its contents across the floor.


My jade bracelet, which I'd worn for years, met the same fate.


I couldn't save Blackwood's life, and now I couldn't even protect the things he gave me.


To my surprise, Scarlett crawled into bed after a while, settling right next to me.


As sleep overtook me, my hazy consciousness seemed to transport me back to that day.


Chapter 3