Chapter 3

Seraphina's POV

The probes tore into my skull, pain that almost knocked me out.

Blood ran down my temples, staining the white restraints red. I tried to scream, but no sound would come.

But strangely, the massive screen showed only happy memories of the three of us—

Late nights eating instant noodles in our dorm.

Quiet afternoons studying in the library.

Juliana blushing when Alexander gave her roses.

Everything except that night that changed it all.

"What the fuck is happening?" Alexander screamed at the technician. "Why can't we see the memories from that night?"

The tech guy was sweating his ass off: "Sir, she's fighting back hard... it's like she built a wall in her mind, blocking us out..."

"No fucking way!"

"She'd rather die than let us see the truth!" His voice cracked. "If we keep this up, her brain's gonna fry!"

Alexander's face twisted with rage: "Then what the hell is she protecting? What kind of sick bastard is worth dying for?"

No, Alexander. The only person worth dying for is you.

As the machine battled my willpower, bits of memory started bleeding through—

The screen showed my crappy apartment from three years ago. I sat on the bed counting a handful of coins, bills everywhere.

Bank account frozen.

Credit cards canceled.

Even my bookstore job suddenly gone.

"Why are you doing this to me..." I whispered to the empty room, tears hitting the eviction notice.

I knew it was all you, Alexander. Revenge for my silence. You wanted to destroy me completely.

The scene switched to a dark alley. Three thugs emerged from the shadows, surrounding me.

"You Seraphina Ward?" The leader sneered. "Someone wants you roughed up."

They beat me merciless. Fists to my face, boots to my ribs. I curled up and took it all.

Because I knew I deserved it.

Another scene: hospital room, me wrapped in bandages. A nurse held a bill, looking uncomfortable:

"Miss, your medical insurance got canceled... if you can't pay..."

More images flashed by—

Job interviews where I got thrown out immediately.

My landlord suddenly turning nasty, demanding I leave.

Old friends getting mysterious calls and cutting me off.

You tore my life apart piece by piece, Alexander. No mercy.

The crowd started murmuring as they watched. Some looked uneasy.

"Damn... she really got screwed over..."

"Dr. Knight went after her hard..."

But Mrs. Pierce immediately shrieked: "Don't buy it! She's just playing victim! It's all bullshit!"

Alexander watched my suffering stone-faced: "This is your own damn fault. Just talk and this stops."

The machine kept buzzing, probes drilling deeper. I felt something ripping inside my skull.

Then that protective wall finally cracked.

The screen went black.

Then it showed an image that made my heart stop—

Months after Juliana died.

An abandoned basement. I was huddled in the corner in rags, covered in bruises. I'd obviously just been assaulted.

Alexander froze when he saw this.

A man walked into frame, buckling his belt. The angle only showed expensive Italian shoes and tailored suit pants.

"Good performance tonight." The man's voice was distorted, cold as ice. "You're learning to behave."

No... don't show this...

He picked up a rusty iron rod and slammed it into my already broken left hand.

"AHHHHH!" I screamed in agony.

"Remember this, Seraphina." The man continued. "If you ever try to tell Alexander what you saw that night, or tell anyone else... I guarantee Alexander will die horribly."

"No... please... don't hurt him..." I shook in pain but still managed to say, "I won't tell anyone... I swear..."

"Smart girl." He laughed coldly. "Let this be a lesson."

He raised the rod again.

CRACK!

The sound of bone shattering completely made everyone gasp.

The memory cut off there.

The entire plaza went dead silent.

Everyone stared at my mangled left hand—completely destroyed.

Alexander stood frozen, white as a sheet. For the first time, his eyes showed shock and... fear?

"What... what the hell was that?" His voice shook. "You think this sob story's gonna save you?"

"You let someone destroy your hand to protect that rapist... guess he really fucking matters to you!"

But his voice clearly lacked conviction now.

Some people in the crowd started defending me:

"Holy shit... look what they did to her..."

"Maybe she really had no choice..."

Mrs. Pierce immediately roared: "Don't fall for it! She's just playing games! Keep going with the trial!"

I saw the doubt creeping into Alexander's eyes and felt a bitter spark of hope.

Alex... I'd give my life for you. What's one hand compared to that? As long as you're safe, I'll endure anything.

Alexander took a shaky breath, forcing himself to stay calm: "Whatever you went through doesn't excuse protecting a killer!"

He screamed at the technician: "Keep going! Max power! I wanna see that bastard's face!"

"Sir, any higher and she's dead..."

"I don't give a shit!"

In the blinding red light, the probes pierced deep into my brain. The pain made my body convulse wildly.

The image on screen slowly started panning upward—

From those expensive shoes.

To the designer suit pants.

To that hand wearing a familiar watch...

When the camera reached those hands, it suddenly froze.

I fought like hell to stop it, but I was blacking out.

Mrs. Pierce urged impatiently: "Come on! Let us see who that jerk is!"

But Alexander suddenly froze solid.

He stared at those hands on screen, eyes bugging out.

Those hands... too familiar...

"No..." He shook his head, trembling. "Impossible... it can't be..."