Dying to Love You

Chapter 7 No Mercy After Sorry

　　Emily looked up with panic in her eyes and stared at James, her voice trembling. “You… you said if I apologized, you'd let me go!”

　　James's eyes were cold and locked on hers. “I said I wouldn't send you to prison. I never said you didn't have to pay for what you did.”

　　“What else do you want from me?” she asked, on the verge of collapse.

　　“What do I want?” James's gaze dropped to her slender neck, his expression darkening.

　　A wave of heat surged through his body, and he cursed internally. He used to avoid Emily like the plague, but ever since that day at the memorial… something had shifted. It wasn't just a one-time thing—he found himself craving her, despite everything. Guess celibacy really messed with his head. Damn this woman.

　　He stepped forward, grabbing her roughly. Emily instinctively crossed her arms over her chest. “Mr. Mitchell… you can't do this!”

　　“Can't? Didn't you used to beg me for it?” His voice was full of mockery, eyes narrowed. “Now you're playing innocent? Is this about Alex? Let me make something clear—someone like you doesn't get to think about someone like him. Stay away from him, Emily. He's too good for you.”

　　“I'm not—”

　　“You'd better not be,” he snapped, eyes sharp. “If I even suspect you're thinking about him that way, I'll make your life a living hell.”

　　With that, he yanked her into his arms with force and, without mercy, took her from behind again.

　　The hospital bed creaked loudly under the pressure. Emily clenched the headboard, her eyes completely lifeless.

　　When he was done, James pulled away without a second glance. Emily lay there like a broken doll, utterly lifeless.

　　Looking at her dead-eyed stare, James felt a surge of anger twist in his gut. “If you've got the energy to seduce men, then you've got the energy to apologize. Tomorrow morning, you're saying sorry. No excuses.”

　　Emily stayed silent, motionless like a corpse.

　　She'd thought apologizing would free her from him. Clearly, she was wrong. Nothing had changed. If she was going to be tortured either way, what was the point of apologizing? He might as well just end her.

　　The next morning in Grace's hospital room, James sat by the bed with a warm smile, chatting dotingly with her as they waited for Emily to show up.

　　Minute by minute passed, but there was still no sign of Emily. James's brow furrowed slightly. Grace could see his patience wearing thin, so she spoke up gently, “If she doesn't want to apologize, let it be. I only lost a baby, but she lost her parents. Don't force her.”

　　“What are you saying? She made you suffer—of course she needs to apologize.” James stood abruptly, face darkening as he barked at a bodyguard, “Go and drag that woman here! I want her on her knees apologizing. Today.”

　　The bodyguard nodded and left quickly. Grace leaned back against the pillows, a faint smile playing on her lips. Emily, weren't you always so smug before? Who would've thought you'd have to crawl to me one day?

　　Soon, footsteps echoed from the hallway, and the guard rushed back in. “Miss Carter has a high fever and isn't getting better. The doctor's with her now.”

　　“A fever?” James looked doubtful.

　　“James,” Grace said with concern in her tone but triumph in her heart. “Maybe we should just forget it if she really doesn't want to come.”

　　She didn't believe Emily was sick at all. That woman was just refusing to grovel. Well then, if she won't show up herself, I'll make her kneel right in her own hospital room. No way she's getting out of this.

　　Putting on a worried expression, she said softly, “Let's go check on her. See how bad it really is.”

　　“Fine,” James answered right away, clearly not buying the fever excuse either. He agreed without hesitation.