Taking Back My Love

The next morning, I secretly followed Raymond to his company. From the hallway, I watched as Jenna barged into his office, her face pale and filled with desperation. "Mr. Campbell, please don't make me entertain your clients! I know I was wrong. You can punish me however you want, but please don't send me to them!"

I had seen the messages on Raymond's phone the night before—one of his business partners had been hinting at wanting a taste of Jenna. Hence, I pretended to recall those bad memories last night. I knew it would stir up his anger and guilt.

Later that night, Raymond responded to the man. "Do whatever you want with her. Just don't kill her."

Raymond grabbed her chin, his eyes cold as ice. "You had no problem letting those men humiliate Xy. Now it's your turn to experience what she went through," he spat.

With a wave of his hand, Jenna was dragged away. However, he didn't look gratified. In fact, he seemed conflicted and unsure.

Jenna got what she deserved. I didn't feel sorry for her. But a question lingered in the back of my mind. Did Raymond genuinely not have any feelings for her?

I gave him a call and asked if he wanted to have dinner together that evening.

"Name the restaurant, darling. I'll have my assistant make a reservation right away," he responded cheerfully.

As usual, he showed up right on time with a bouquet of carefully chosen flowers.

Yet, during dinner, he seemed off. Distracted. He kept knocking things over. His phone kept ringing, but he kept declining the calls.

"What's wrong? Is something going on?" I asked softly.

He responded warmly, "Nothing in the world matters more than having dinner with you, Xy."

But then his phone lit up again. This time, he took one look at it and sprang to his feet.

I offered him an out. "Is it work? It must be urgent. Go ahead. I understand."

He hastily masked the panic in his eyes. "Yeah, there's something urgent I need to take care of." He planted a kiss on my forehead, grabbed his suit jacket, and hurried off.

I watched him rush out, a knot forming in my throat. I swallowed it down and followed him.

…

Raymond carried Jenna out of the hotel.

In the middle of the street, she shoved him away and broke into tears. "Weren't you the one who wanted to throw me at your business partners to avenge your fiancée? What the hell are you trying to do now?"

He still looked furious, but his actions were filled with concern. He took hold of her hand and barked, "I can't believe you would slit your own wrist just to avoid being with Mr. Lester! Have you lost your mind?"

"I have lost my mind!" she yelled, laughing bitterly through her tears. "I must be crazy to fall in love with the man who destroyed my family! I must be crazy to refuse to give up my purity!"

Her voice cracked. "If you really don't care about me at all, then let me go back inside! I'll stay with Mr. Lester until you've had your fill of revenge for Xyla!"

Raymond slapped her hard. "Who do you think you are? Being with Mr. Lester is too light of a punishment for you!" Without another word, he threw her over his shoulder, forced her into his car, and drove her straight back to the cage he'd built just for her.