Chapter 5

The paintings on consignment sold out overnight. Wendy was surprised, but I was even more.

She excitedly told me over the phone that the buyer wanted more paintings and was willing to pay any price I wanted.

I looked around, my heart was as hollow as the room. Except for the amusement park piece, there was nothing left in the painting room, like it was looted.

"I don't have any." And I was leaving, too.

Wendy was a bit disappointed because I had promised her a generous commission for helping me consign the paintings.

I calculated the time, realizing that there would be a fifteen-minute gap during the shift change of the security at the door, enough for me to leave the house and reach the garden behind.

However, just as I opened the door, I was startled to find the butler standing outside, about to knock at the door.

He said Silas had sent someone to pick me up. The car was ready, and the gown was prepared.

In a panic, I glanced at the calendar. There were still two days until the exhibition opened.

The butler seemed to understand my thoughts, "It's been moved up. I heard it's Ms. Ellis' fiancé's idea to pick a more auspicious day for their engagement."

Charlie. This very person whom I had never met now became the one I subconsciously hated the most.

I descended the stairs with a sense of numbness, and got into the car that then sped away.

In the dimly lit presidential suite prepared for me, Silas stood there in a sharp suit, swirling a glass of red wine.

Seeing me arrive late wearing the gown he had prepared, he abruptly stood up, looking at me with complex feelings. "You must be tired. Have something to eat first."

I glanced at the table. It was laden with dishes. And the wine was perfectly aerated.

My hands trembled slightly until Silas's cool hands grasped them tightly.

"Why do you look so pale?" He spoke insincerely, not daring to even look at me.

I asked Silas, "Why did you suddenly bring me here?"

His eyes darkened, "Kaitlin's exhibition is opening downstairs. I thought... Maybe you'd want to see your paintings."

As if he had recalled all that had been burned that day, he looked at my burnt fingers with concern, "It's not like you can't paint any more. Why bother?

If she wants to burn them, let her. Anyway, you paint just for me. You can always paint another one."

I couldn't help but smile faintly. But I was suddenly pulled into his embrace. The delayed warmth of his had enveloped me bit by bit, wrapping me tightly in his coat.

His warm breath brushed my ear, "Sandy, if... if I do something to hurt you, don't... don't hate me."

Tears uncontrollably slid down my cheeks, "Will you hurt me?"

He didn't respond, continuing his words on his own, "Just remember the beautiful times we had. I will... I will always back you."

Silas urgently bent down and kissed my lips unceasingly, as if being apart for a moment meant losing each other forever. I had never seen him like this.

As his tongue explored deeper, I gradually felt the heavy taste of wine. I wanted to escape, but he held my head firmly against the wall...

I then slowly drifted into unconsciousness. Then I felt my limbs weak again and a familiar burning sensation throughout my body.

As the world around me was spinning, I felt someone was slowly stripping off my gown.

The lights went out, leaving only the faint glow seeping through the window.

The door closed and it was opened again after a while that I could not know how long.

Someone stumbled in. I could hear them walking in with unsteady steps and hand on the wall.

I then heard a voice from deep in my memory, distant yet seemingly close. He was on the phone. "Someone must have drugged me... Yeah, pretty strong."

He seemed to chuckle, "There's someone on the bed. Completely naked. Looks like they got a bigger dose than I did."

I couldn't hear what was said on the other end.

He was panting as he spoke, "Yeah, don't make a fuss. Just bring a few people to take me quietly."

The sound grew closer. And I felt one of his hand brushed my cheek.

I struggled to open my eyes, using all my remaining strength. Until my eyes suddenly met Charlie's deep gaze.

He stiffened. He said with a slightly trembling voice, "No need. I... No one comes up."