From His Silent Bride to the Queen of Comebacks

Lydia jolted, suddenly recalling what he'd told her to do.

Stiff as a board, she shuffled to Henry's door, forcing herself to swallow the fear and gave it a soft knock.

"Get in here!" A deep voice boomed from inside, laced with restrained fury.

She flinched, hesitating only a second before she reached out with a shaky hand and pushed the door open.

The room was dim, almost pitch dark. Lydia held her breath and stepped in quietly, as if any louder sound might shatter her.

-Ah!

The door had barely shut behind her when a strong force yanked her forward-hard. She hadn't even processed what was happening before her legs gave out and she crashed onto the bed.

"Ha..." a mocking chuckle brushed past her ear.

She looked up, startled, and saw Henry in the shadows, eyes dark and cold like a predator lurking just out of reach.

The air around her felt suddenly heavy, like it had thickened into iron. Her chest tightened-she could barely breathe.

"I told you to come here tonight. What were you stalling for?"

Henry's voice was low, biting with anger and pain, his words squeezing through clenched teeth. "Or is this your thing now? Showing up late just to tease me? Huh?"

As he spoke, he grabbed her chin roughly, pulling her face up to look at him.

-I didn't mean to, I swear I just fell asleep. Henry, I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to be late...

Lydia's heart was pierced by his words, but she forced herself to explain, trying to hold back the panic.

"You always have an excuse ready, don't you?"

He sneered, voice thick with disdain. "Lydia, stop pretending you're some angel. Do you even remember who you are? A murderer's daughter. Don't stand there acting all innocent-it's disgusting."

-Henry...

Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Even her hands, always quick to form signs, froze.

She slowly shut her eyes, pain tightening her expression. He was right-at least in his mind. She was just the daughter of a killer.

No matter what she did, how hard she tried, it would never be enough. In his eyes, she'd always be guilty.

So what was even the point in trying?

Her hands gradually dropped to her sides. She didn't say another word, eyes lowered, letting his insults hit her like rain on glass.

"Oh, what? Now you look hurt?" His tone turned sharper. "Did I lie about anything?"

But her silence only fueled Henry's rage, as if her quiet resistance pushed him further off the edge.

His hand slid down from her delicate, pale face, stopping at her chest.

"You know, you're already twenty, yet you've never even been with a man. No wonder you're so desperate. Since you're dying for it, I'll 'help' you out."

As soon as he spoke, he yanked her top and tore it apart.

-No! Henry, please don't! It's not like that! I beg you, don't do this...

Lydia froze in shock, panic flooding her entire system as she struggled wildly. Her tears spilled like a broken faucet, but none of it stopped Henry.

"Cut the act. You love throwing yourself at men, don't you? You should be thankful it's me."

His bloodshot eyes glinted with a mix of anger and madness as he lunged toward her like a beast.

Pressing his lips against her trembling ones, he bit down hard, not bothering to be gentle.

Lydia's eyes widened in fear. Henry's grip, his touch-it all triggered the memory of that night two years ago when she had just turned eighteen. Back then, he was exactly like this-a predator who seemed ready to devour her whole.

Even though he stopped for some unknown reason that night, the horror of it stayed with her. That was the darkest moment of her life.

-No...

She opened her mouth in silence, shaking her head all over the place. She kicked and pushed, but his hold on her was unbreakable.

Hopelessness swallowed her whole. She clenched her eyes shut.

Ten years ago, she lost her family.

It was Henry who took her in, made her believe she could have a new beginning.

All those years, she loved him in silence. But she never figured out why he had to hurt her like this.

Wasn't everything he already did enough?

Suddenly, Henry tasted something salty. He froze, body going rigid.

It was her tears.

The momentary pause gave Lydia a sliver of hope.

-Henry, please... don't...

Her hands trembled as she clasped them together, eyes pleading.

That look, raw despair and resistance, hit Henry the moment he glanced down. Whatever softness had surfaced in his heart vanished in an instant.

His face darkened, and he squeezed her throat viciously.

"Lydia, what's that look for? Scared? Hopeless? It wasn't you who died. You didn't lose your leg. So what the hell makes you think you can break like this? What right do you have to be afraid? You like guys, don't you? Can't handle it now? I'll show you exactly what happens when you go around seducing other men behind my back."