Dying to Love You

Chapter 10 Behind Every Smile Was a Knife

　　The thought that James had just been with Grace and now came to her made Emily feel both humiliated and furious. She struggled with everything she had, trying to break free.

　　Her resistance clearly pissed James off. He let go of her, glaring as he snapped, "If you keep acting up, I swear I'll throw your ass in jail."

　　Those words hit like a slap. Emily froze. Then James just shoved her down and forced himself on her without the slightest bit of tenderness.

　　Emily stared blankly, saying nothing, enduring his rough movements in total silence. Her biting pain was excruciating, but more than anything, her heart felt like it was shattering. Still, not a single tear fell from her eyes.

　　She had no clue when James left. Everything was a blur. She laid there, feeling dizzy, not knowing how long she'd been out.

　　A sudden knock slammed into her ears. She jolted upright.

　　Just as she tried to sit up, the door clicked open—someone had used a key.

　　Grace walked in with heavy steps. “Emily, you really think you're some kind of princess now? Sleeping in till this hour?”

　　“I'm sorry! I'm sorry!” Emily quickly apologized, hurrying to get out of bed.

　　Grace sniffed, frowning. “What's that smell?”

　　Her eyes scanned Emily, and in just a beat, her face twisted. “You slut. Were you messing with James?”

　　“No! I didn't! I swear I didn't do anything!” Emily instinctively defended herself.

　　“Then where the hell's that stink coming from? No wonder last night felt off…” Grace's voice trailed off. In the next second, she lunged forward, yanked Emily's hair, and smacked her twice — hard.

　　“I'm gonna beat the shame outta you, you filthy tramp!”

　　Emily covered her face, head lowered, not making a sound. Grace was like a madwoman, dragging her off the bed by her hair, yelling all kinds of nasty things.

　　Emily was weak to begin with — she didn't even have the strength to fight back. Soon, Grace had her pulled onto the floor. Her eyes were burning with fury as she slammed Emily's head against the corner of the nightstand.

　　Warm blood trickled down Emily's forehead. Her eyes dropped lifelessly, silent, no struggle, no defense — just that empty stare.

　　The noise from upstairs got too loud to ignore. Mrs. Armstrong rushed in.

　　Seeing Grace beating Emily like she'd lost her mind, she barked, “Stop it right now!”

　　“Mom! This w***e tried to seduce James! She straight-up tried to hook up with him in this house!” Grace's voice trembled in rage.

　　Mrs. Armstrong shot her a sharp look. “Nonsense. Emily's the only one in this room. Are you out of your mind?”

　　Grace clearly wasn't thinking straight. “I heard them last night! That b***h, how can she be this shameless? Did half a year in prison teach her nothing?! Still acting like trash!”

　　She cursed while aiming another kick at Emily, but Mrs. Armstrong grabbed her mid-swing.

　　“Grace! You really think yelling stuff without proof is going to get you anywhere?”Grace's eyes were red with anger. She looked like she wanted to argue, but one glare from her mom shut her right up.

　　Mrs. Armstrong dragged Grace back to her room. As soon as the door closed, Grace yanked her arm free and snapped, “Mom, why'd you stop me? That b***h is seducing James! This was the perfect chance to kick her out!”

　　“And where's your proof?” Mrs. Armstrong glared back. “Catching someone in the act matters. Words alone won't cut it. Don't forget, this is the Mitchells' house. You beating her up like that—what are the others supposed to think of you?”

　　That hit Grace. She calmed down a little. “I just lost it for a second. She used to boss me around like a queen, now she's still getting under my skin.”

　　“You really sure they did it?” Mrs. Armstrong dropped her voice.

　　“I'm sure. I pulled James into my room and even lit that special incense to get him in the mood. But halfway through, he just pushed me off and left! With that incense, there's no way he just brushed it off. He had to have gone straight to her.”

　　“For real? Ugh, useless!” Mrs. Armstrong snapped, both furious with her daughter and spitting mad at Emily. “That damn girl, why didn't she rot in prison?”

　　“Exactly! She has some nerve, still hanging on after everything. The whole point of setting her up back then was to make James hate her. Who knew she'd end up in his bed instead? Mom, we've gotta get rid of her. I saw the way James was looking at her—it didn't feel right. If something really happened between them, everything I've done will be for nothing!”

　　“Let me think. Don't rush it,” Mrs. Armstrong said coldly. “This time, I'll make sure she's gone for good. She'll never show up in front of us again.”

　　Emily's forehead had split open, blood trickling down non-stop. After Mrs. Armstrong left with Grace, she quietly cleaned herself up and just sat there in a daze.

　　About half an hour later, Mrs. Armstrong came back upstairs holding a bowl of chicken soup. “Emily, I had the cook make this for you—drink it while it's hot.”

　　“Thanks,” Emily replied warily, eyeing her.

　　Mrs. Armstrong put on a gentle smile. “You doing okay?”

　　“I'm fine.”

　　“What happened earlier, I'm really sorry on Grace's behalf. Ever since that incident, she's been on edge, paranoid all the time. You know how close she and James are. Seeing you here, knowing how much you used to love him, it just... sets her off.”

　　Emily kept her head down, saying nothing. A shadow of something cruel flickered in Mrs. Armstrong's eyes.

　　“Since your parents are gone, just treat this place like your own home. I'll treat you like family. I'll talk to your cousin—it won't happen again. But remember, don't breathe a word of today to James, okay?”"No way," Emily muttered flatly. James wasn't anyone important to her anymore—what reason did she have to tattletale? And even if she did, would he believe her? They already framed her for something as serious as murder; there was nothing they wouldn't do.

　　"Have some chicken soup, it's good for your health," Mrs. Armstrong offered sweetly, pushing the bowl toward Emily. Emily didn't want it, but it's hard to turn down someone being all smiles. She reluctantly took the bowl. Just as it neared her lips, her stomach suddenly turned.

　　She quickly set the bowl down and rushed to the bathroom, emptying her stomach in dry heaves. At first, Mrs. Armstrong was puzzled, but as she stood listening to the sounds from inside, her face darkened—something had clearly clicked.

　　Storming out of Emily's room, she made a beeline for her daughter's. After shutting the door, she hissed angrily, "Grace, that little tramp might be pregnant!"

　　"Pregnant? No way!" Grace looked stunned.

　　"I've been through this. That reaction? Classic sign. And if you count the days, it lines up."

　　"She's really pregnant? Unbelievable! This is all your fault!" Grace turned on her mom with rage. "Whose brilliant idea was the incense at the funeral? And now look—James isn't disgusted like we hoped. He's hooked!"

　　Mrs. Armstrong's gaze turned steely. "Relax. If she can get pregnant, I can make her lose it. And I've got the perfect excuse."

　　"What excuse?"

　　"Don't tell me you haven't noticed—Alex likes that girl. It's obvious."

　　Grace's eyes lit up instantly. "I think I know what to do now."

　　Meanwhile, Emily was nursing a headache and bruises from the vicious beating Grace gave her. She'd skipped lunch and stayed holed up in her room. Later in the afternoon, Alex came home.

　　First thing he did was head straight to Emily's room. "Emily, I came to check on you."

　　He was smiling when he came in, but the moment he saw the bruise on her forehead, his face fell. "Did my brother hurt you again?"

　　"No, James—Mr. Mitchell—it's not like that. I tripped and fell, that's all."

　　"You fell? How'd a fall do that kind of damage?" He stared at her forehead, clearly not buying it. "Emily, don't lie to me. I know how he is. He made sure I couldn't stay at the old house so he could mess with you in peace. You don't have to take this. I'll take you away right now."

　　He reached out to her, trying to pull her along, but Emily recoiled, panicked. "Alex, really, I'm fine… please, don't worry about me."

　　"Of course I'm worried. Just be honest with me—do you still have feelings for my brother?"

　　"No!" she blurted. "Come on, Alex, I've learned my lesson. I'm not dumb enough to fall again for the same guy who already crushed me once."

　　Right as her words fell, a cold chuckle echoed at the door. Both of them looked up in shock—James had returned without either of them noticing and was now standing silently in the doorway, eyes locked on them.