"I've prepared gifts for Cece and Jennifer as well. I don't know if they're going to like them, though. Can you look for me?""Sure."Vicky and Aurora were instantly engulfed in a heated discussion and forgot about Tyler.Tyler did not interrupt them and simply stared at the smile on Vicky’s face.With the sunlight cast upon her face, her eyes shone in the way they never did when she was with him.At that moment, he felt a painful pang in his chest again.…Aurora stayed for an hour and got up to leave.Vicky was slightly reluctant to see her friend leave and thus offered, "Why don't I walk you out?""It's fine." Aurora smiled. "It's cold out there, and you can't risk catching another cold. I've been free lately, so I'll come check on you in a few days." She then turned to glance at Tyler. "Mister Hart, Vicky is still sick, so I'll have to trouble you to walk me outside."Aurora was capable of going out on her own. It was evident she had something to say to him when she asked
Tyler was so swift that Vicky could not stop him.Blood tainted his white shirt, and she froze.Tyler glanced at her and raised his arm to stab himself again.Vicky’s eyes widened. "Tyler, stop it!"Still, the blade cut into his flash once again.Right before Tyler could stab himself the third time, Vicky finally managed to catch his arm."Tyler Hart, what do you think you're doing?!" she hissed, glaring at him with bloodshot eyes. "Do you really think you can make me forgive you by torturing yourself?" Her fingers tightened around his arm as she trembled. "I won't forgive you; this will only make me hate you more!"Tyler studied her face calmly. "Vicky, this isn't to make you forgive me."Vicky felt disoriented and questioned sharply, "What is it, then?" Her chest heaved rapidly, her breathing erratic, and her words disjointed. "Tyler Hart, when did you stoop to using such despicable methods?!"Blood flowed along the edge of the blade and dripped onto her hand.Vicky's tremb
Once Tyler was sure Vicky was asleep, he left the bedroom.Entering his study, he retrieved the knife he had put away.Just two cuts were hardly enough to atone for the pain he caused her.His intention was never to harm himself to gain her sympathy. He felt that he could only comprehend her agony by feeling pain himself.Since she did not like seeing blood, he vowed she would not have to witness it anymore. With that thought in mind, he cut himself again.Strangely, he did not feel any pain. On top of that, the lingering ache in his heart seemed to ease slightly.'Can physical pain really alleviate heartache?' he thought.He was tempted to try again, but instead, he used a handkerchief to clean the blood from the blade before placing it away.He could not risk letting her discover it, or she would despise him even more.Having stopped the bleeding, Tyler returned to the bedroom. As he drew Vicky closer, he realized his heartache had diminished somehow....After Vicky had r
Tyler was exceptionally alert, so Vicky had to wait until he was out of the room before she dared to emerge. Peering through the peephole, she watched as Tyler headed toward the study.'Does he have some work matters to attend to?' she wondered.With this question in mind, Vicky stepped out of the bedroom as soon as he entered the study. She stood at the entrance to the study for a few minutes, and when Tyler did not reappear, Vicky took a deep breath, turned the doorknob, and entered.The desk lamp cast a soft, dim glow. In the reflection of the light, the knife Tyler held glistened with a chilling sheen.Vicky, who had just entered the study, was met with a shocking sight: Tyler was holding a knife and was making incisions into his own body.He was solely focused on the blade in his hand, so Vicky's sudden entrance caught him off-guard, and he seemed stunned.Vicky's eyes scanned the scene, and she instantly noticed the wounds on his body. Her eyes widened, and she questioned s
"No way."Unable to summon the strength to push him away, Vicky closed her eyes and leaned helplessly against his chest. The scent of blood filled her nose, and she felt devastated like she never did before....The night was quiet and peaceful.Vicky looked up at Tyler after tending to his wounds. "Tyler...""It doesn't hurt," he said. "I knew what I was doing."Vicky's lips curled into a cold sneer. "Am I supposed to compliment you on your great skills with knives?""..." Tyler fell into silence."I'm tired of this." She looked down. "Tyler, I can't accept living with a man who tortures me when he loses control and mutilates himself when he's sober."Tyler's heart sank."Let's just—""I won't allow it!" he shouted, interrupting her words.His gaze darkened with malevolence and ferocity. As he looked into her eyes, he pronounced every word with intention."I won't allow you to entertain the idea of leaving me, ever."Frightened by his intensity, Vicky paled and froze.T
Vicky instantly realized what Tyler meant. Before she could say anything, his kisses rained down upon her....The next morning, as Tyler emerged from the bathroom, he spotted Vicky meticulously packing her clothes into a suitcase.His eyes widened.Stepping forward, he gripped her wrist and demanded, "Vicky, where do you think you're going?"Vicky raised her head, her gaze cold. "I can go anywhere, as long as I can be without you."Tyler's eyes dimmed, and his expression turned somber. "Vicky, I've told you, I won't allow you to leave..."Vicky chuckled bitterly, interrupting Tyler without hesitation. "If you only know how to force me to do things and imprison me, don't act all affectionate and respectful. Don't keep saying you'll change. The truth is that you've never respected my boundaries and have always done things I don't want you to do, regardless of how I feel." Vicky's eyes carried evident disappointment as she continued, "If those promises mean nothing to you, continu
Still, Tyler did not want to let Vicky go, feeling as though she would vanish if he allowed her to leave.He wanted to reject her request but could not bring himself to say anything when faced with her bright eyes.Aurora mentioned that he was pushing Vicky away, and he knew about it.Moments later, he muttered, "Okay."Vicky did not show any sign of joy and simply nodded before pulling her hand out of Tyler's hold and continuing to gather her belongings.Tyler grabbed her hand once again, and Vicky turned to look at him with disappointment.Tyler felt a slight pang in his chest but calmly spoke, "You go freshen up; I'll help you pack."Vicky was surprised as it was challenging enough for him to let her go, so she half-expected him to regret his choice immediately. Surprisingly, he offered to help her pack instead.After a moment's contemplation, she nodded and headed to the bathroom to shower. When she emerged, her belongings were neatly arranged in the suitcase."Take a look
Seeing Aurora seated by the window, Vicky walked over. "When did you arrive?""Just now." Aurora signaled for a waiter, and they began to place their orders.After placing their orders, Aurora studied Vicky's expression and whispered, "Vicky, how have things been between you and Tyler recently?"Vicky did not hide anything. "I've returned to my apartment for the time being."Aurora did not show any surprise upon hearing this. Instead, she hesitated and looked at Vicky intently.Vicky frowned. "Do you have something to say to me?"After a few seconds of hesitation, Aurora finally spoke, "There's a talented pianist who has emerged in the entertainment circle recently. Some people have spotted her...entering and leaving the same room and location as Tyler on multiple occasions..."This piece of news had not been made public, but it had circulated in the industry. Many had seen it happen, and a few even managed to capture a couple of photos.Though these photos could not be publish