Chapter 2

Rigella’s POV

Weakly, “W-what?” I murmured.

“Ella, no matter what happens, don’t come out, okay? Don’t you ever come out...” She convinced me, even though there was a hint of worry on her face as she came over and sat down next to me.

I slumped back on the sofa I was sitting on, feeling depressed. How did she find out I was at Roxanne’s apartment? Nanny Lisa, did she tell him? Why was he here, too? Did I believe he had no regard for me?

I was much more anxious since Ivan was still banging on the door. Additionally, I believed that it would be embarrassing for the residents because they could be unhappy.

Roxanne abruptly got up. She sternly told me, picking up her phone from the center table, “I’ll call the security. Just don’t come out,” she said before getting up and moving a little bit away from me.

I was carried off by the wind. My hands and knees began to shake immediately. I’m so afraid that I can’t even admit it. I’m concerned about what Ivan might do to me if he approaches me.

I heard Ivan yell from outside, “Rigella! Get out of there! Damn, you’ll really love me!”

My left eye began to tear up, and I noticed it. one following the other. I’m crying once more. Occasionally, I used to wonder when my tears would stop. When will the suffering stop? When will Ivan confess his love for me? But as soon as I heard what Roxanne had said while on the phone, those ideas immediately disappeared.

I interrupted her as she was about to reply, “Yes... Make sure that man suffers, so he doesn’t feel sorry for Ella. No, do you want me to break the law? Don’t kill-!” She was about to say anything when I went up to her.

I questioned, “Who were you talking to?”

She gave me a serious look while sighing. She uttered “Mafia...” sparingly and in a stern voice.

My mouth dropped, and my eyes widened. I sadly retorted, “A what? You asked my brother for help?”

“Ivan was making me anxious at that point.” She blinked and tightly shut her eyes. “Ryan offered to help, so why would I refuse? You thought I believed in your excuse earlier; where did you get it from? No, I knew it when Ivan did that. Also, he must suffer all the anguish that he caused you,” she questioned with an arched brow.

What if they kill Ivan? I was so badly bit on the lower lip, and I also didn’t want to lose Ice’s father.

I groaned and then said, “I’m going out.”

“Are you fucking crazy?” I noticed the masculinity in Roxanne’s eyes as she held my arm. “Who knows what he’ll do to you?” She repeated, “Just wait for Ryan’s people to arrive; they will save that animal.”

My eyes were watering, and I shivered. “N-No... Call them once more. Please refrain from what you’re doing. Ivan was my life, so I feel bad for you. When you keep saying that, it’s as if you’ve killed me.” I wailed.

When Roxanne tugged at her hair, I noticed that she was sobbing. “What was it, Rigella?! That’s right, oh! Don’t be too much of a martyr, okay? Just get rid of that fucker! We’re having a hard time pretending you’re stupid!” She shouted something at me as I sat on the floor, crying, as if something had struck my heart.

What was happening to me had an impact on her as well. What made life so difficult? Why can’t I feel joy? even merely once? even for a split second?

I had trouble saying, since I was crying, “I’m sorry, Roxy. I’m sorry, best friend.”

I went up to her and gave her a hug. She grabbed my arm and stopped me as I started to move toward the door. I slid my eyes shut when I saw her crying.

“N-No, you’re not coming out. You’re just here. You’re just here!” She let go of my arm, and I wiped her tears away.

I took a sip. “I’m... “I’m sorry, but I love him, I love Ivan, and I can’t stand if something bad happens to him.” What I was about to say was cut off by her.

She stopped sobbing and gave me a serious look as I asked, “Even if you get hurt, was that so? Even if you get hurt again?”

I slowly nodded. “Yes, even if I’m the one who gets hurt, just don’t let him. I love him like that, Roxy. So please, let me out, please, best friend?”

She quickly closed her eyes and sighed. “That shamelessness was your good fortune. You are willing to give your life for him because you love him so much. Just in case, he was unaware of that. Tsk! Oh, he may proceed. As if I can stop you there, leave now. Just give me a call as soon as something happens, okay? Be cautious.”

I grinned at her as she said this with concern. “Naturally, Roxanne. Okay, I’ll leave now. Ivan is a very impatient person; you know that. I appreciate your care, best friend.”

I grinned and told her she should smile too: “I love you.”

“I love you too, best friend. Remember?” I gave her one final smile before heading out the door.

Not like previously, I could just hear loud knocking. I was honestly afraid to open the door because I knew he would hurt me again. But even if I get harmed, it’s okay; just stop him, please. My hand shook against the doorknob. As I twisted it and gently opened it, I tightly shut my eyes.

Ivan was looking at me intently as I opened my eyes, gasping for oxygen and messing up his hair. In addition, I caught a whiff of alcohol in his scent. I started to tremble as I noticed the rage in his eyes.

He shocked me by stretching out my arm, and I winced because of how tightly he was holding it. He pushed me away from Roxanne’s apartment and said, “Let’s go home.”