Hurt Me Once, I'll Leave You Forever

I looked at my swollen, red cheek in the mirror and suddenly laughed.

Taking out my phone, I sent my father a message. [Dad, I’ve decided to agree to the marriage with the Myers family.]

The next day, when I went to school, my father called me to his office.

"Livia, are you sure?" My father stood by the window in his office, his tone full of affection.

"Yes, I’ve thought it through." My voice was calm—a hard-earned calmness forged through a night of tears.

He sighed and gently patted my head. "Good girl. I’m sorry for all the hardships you’ve endured over the years."

His words struck a chord deep in my heart, and I fought back the tears threatening to spill. He would never truly know the kind of pain I had been carrying.

"Principal, Professor Stewart is here," the secretary said softly from outside the door.

Flynn strode in, his gaze darkening the moment he saw me.

"Dad, what’s the matter?" He stood beside me, his presence heavy with an unspoken tension.

"Flynn, it’s about your sister and the Myers family. The marriage has been arranged—they’ll get engaged next week," he announced.

The air instantly grew heavy. I could feel the change in his breathing, now rough and uneven.

"She’s too young. She’s not ready for marriage." Flynn's voice was cold as ice.

My father chuckled, shaking his head. "She’s already twenty three. It’s time for her to settle down.

"And Javier is an excellent match—I couldn’t be more at ease."

I kept my head down, avoiding Flynn’s gaze, but in the next moment, he grabbed my wrist. "Dad, I need to talk to Livia."

Without waiting for a reply, he dragged me out of the room.

"Flynn!" My father called out behind us.

"Don’t worry, Dad. I just want to have a heartfelt conversation with my sister." He turned back with a practiced, polite smile.

In the elevator, neither of us spoke. He gripped my wrist so tightly I thought he might crush the bone. As soon as we entered his office, he flung me onto the sofa.

"Did you forget what I told you?" Flynn growled. He leaned down over me, anger burning in his eyes.

"Professor Stewart, we’re over." I met his gaze directly as I replied. "You have Laica now, don’t you?"

"Shut up!" He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Do you really think I’ll let you marry someone else?"

"Why not?" I shot back. "You, of all people, should know—we were never in love."

Before I could finish, he kissed me, the forceful press of his lips carrying a metallic taste of blood. This kiss was harsher, more desperate than any before.

"You’re not allowed to go on dates. You’re not allowed to get engaged. You’re not allowed to marry anyone else." He whispered each word into my ear, his voice trembling with rage.

I pushed him away with all my strength. "And what gives you the right?"

"Because you used me as a tool to hurt Dad? Or because you treated me like a plaything?"

He froze, his expression faltering for the first time, a flicker of panic in his eyes. "You heard everything?"

"Enough." I stood up, straightening my clothes.

"Flynn, this game is over. You’ve gotten what you wanted, and I don’t want to continue anymore."

"Livia!" He reached for me, but I stepped out of his grasp.

As I opened the door, his voice rang out behind me. "If you dare to marry Javier, I’ll—"

Without looking back, I cut him off, "You’ll what?"

"Tell Dad how you’ve been tormenting me for the past three years?"

He didn't respond, so I shut the door, and the tears I had been holding back finally spilled over.

Pulling out my phone, I sent a message to Javier.

[For tomorrow’s engagement party, could you arrange for someone skilled with makeup? I have some marks on my neck that need covering.]

This time, I would sever the past completely.

As soon as the message was sent, my phone suddenly rang. I looked at the caller ID and a wry smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

It was Laica.