Chapter 80

He walked toward me with his usual proud, unhurried gait and sat right across from me. Without saying a word at first, he dragged my wheelchair closer until I was right in front of him. His piercing eyes locked onto mine, and I could feel the weight of his gaze.

“Is that the kind of life you want again?” he asked in a low, sharp tone. “That shallow lifestyle you used to live—showing off, parading yourself like some trophy?” He laughed then, a hard, rough sound that made my stomach twist.

“Have you ever wondered why I’ve kept you locked up all this time? Why I even bought you?” His words sliced through me. I gasped, even though part of me didn’t want to hear the truth.

“I’ll tell you,” he continued darkly. “I’ll tell you why I didn’t kill you and why I’ve let you live all these years.”

And as he spoke, I saw it clearly this time, the anger, the resentment, the hatred, and the disgust in his eyes. It made me swallow hard.

“If it weren’t for this damn mati