Dying to Love You

Chapter 4 Accusing Her of the Crime

　　The bodyguard immediately informed James. James stood downstairs, arms crossed, looking up at her. “Go ahead, jump. But let me remind you, it's just the second floor. You won't die from that—just break your bones. And guess what? I'm not paying to fix you. I'll just toss you back in jail and keep making your life a living hell.”

　　His words were so vicious that Emily's resolve crumbled. She wasn't afraid of dying, but the thought of surviving with broken bones only to be thrown back into that nightmare? That was worse than death.

　　Seeing her standing there, trembling on the edge and not daring to jump, the bodyguards stormed the room and pulled her away from the balcony.

　　Emily was dragged back to the room. James came charging upstairs, walking in and slapping her hard across the face. “Trying to threaten me with suicide? Then just do it already!”

　　She clutched her cheek, shaking all over, staring at him in fear. James grabbed her by the throat. “You wanna die? I'll help you out right now!”

　　As his grip tightened, her breath got caught in her throat. Emily's eyes widened, staring back at him as she struggled for air.

　　Just as it felt like he was about to crush her windpipe, James's phone rang. He yanked it out and answered. After a few words, he let go of her.

　　Emily collapsed to the floor like a rag doll, gasping for breath. James hung up the phone, shot her a disgusted glance, then suddenly yanked her up from the ground and dragged her out.

　　She stumbled behind him as he pulled her out of the villa and shoved her into the car. The engine roared, and they sped off like a bullet.

　　Curled up in the back seat, Emily was shaking uncontrollably. Fear gripped her chest—was he taking her back to prison?

　　No! She couldn't go back. She'd rather die than return to that place. Her voice trembled. “Mr. Mitchell, please, don't send me back. I'll do anything you want, just don't take me back there, please!”

　　James sneered. “Didn't you say you were innocent? Well, Grace just woke up. I'm taking you to her. Let's see if your story checks out.”

　　“She's really awake?” A flicker of hope lit up Emily's eyes.

　　She hadn't hurt Grace. If Grace really was awake, then the truth could finally come out—maybe this hell would be over.

　　James dragged her into the hospital room. Emily stumbled as she tried to keep up. Grace leaned weakly against the bed, and when she saw James walk in, her eyes lit up. “James!”The moment Grace laid eyes on James dragging Emily along, she freaked out and screamed like her soul just left her body. “Stay away from me! Don't come any closer!”

　　“Grace, it's okay!” James immediately let go of Emily and rushed to Grace's side, wrapping his arms around her protectively. “I'm here, no one's gonna hurt you.”

　　Emily had been yanked around by James all this time—now that he let go, she totally lost balance and fell hard to the floor, face-first into the ground.

　　Ignoring the sting shooting through her limbs, Emily scrambled up and hurried to the bed. Her eyes clung desperately to Grace, who was nestled in James's arms, looking so fragile it hurt. “Cousin, I didn't do anything to you. Please… say something, clear my name!”

　　Emily believed with all her heart that she hadn't hurt Grace. She wasn't guilty. Now that Grace had woken up, surely she'd tell the truth, right? She had to—this nightmare had to end.

　　She looked at Grace with all the hope she could muster, praying she'd speak up for her.

　　James gently stroked Grace's back, his voice low. “Grace, just tell me—was it her? Did she do this to you?”

　　Trembling, Grace clung tight to James's waist. She peeked out from behind his arm, her eyes landing on Emily for barely a second before she screamed again, terrified. “James, get her out! She did this! It was her!”

　　“Grace!” Emily's heart sank right into her stomach, her hands turned ice-cold. Why? Why would Grace say that? She didn't do this!

　　“Grace, please—look at me! I'm Emily! I didn't hurt you! Please just take a closer look!”

　　“It's her! James, it's her! Get her away from me, I'm scared! She's the one who tried to kill me!”

　　“No! That's not true! Grace, you have to listen—I didn't—please, just look at me!”

　　Smack! A sharp slap cut through the room. Emily's head snapped to the side, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. James's eyes were ice-cold. “Even now, you're still lying, Emily?”

　　“It… it wasn't me! I'm telling the truth!”

　　Nobody believed her. She'd thought the moment Grace came to, she'd be saved. She'd thought the truth would finally come out. Never in a million years did she imagine Grace would be the one to twist the knife.

　　James, furious she still wouldn't admit it, landed two more slaps across her face. Then he slammed his foot into her chest, sending her flying out of the room like a broken rag doll.

　　James wasn't just strong—he was trained. That kick wasn't just for show. Emily hit the ground hard, the impact like a truck slamming her soul out of her body. Pain exploded everywhere. Then… everything went black.