Seven days had passed since I last left the house. The Libby had cooled the air, and the wind felt sharp against my skin. I involuntarily shivered.
Felix took off his coat and draped it over my shoulders. Seizing the moment, he pecked my lips, teasing, "Make sure you watch closely."
I wasn't sure what he meant by "watch closely," so I asked, "What exactly are you going to do?" Felix raised an eyebrow, "A show."
To Felix, his "show" was nothing short of a thunderclap to my world. Through the window, I saw two figures approaching—a man and a woman. The man was dressed in a jacket, and I immediately recognized him. It was Lucas.
The woman beside him was his cousin.
I had met her on the day of our engagement. Lucas had mentioned she was his cousin. I turned to Felix and asked, "What's so interesting about this?" Felix chuckled lightly. "Just wait, the real show's about to begin."
The two of them, who had been walking together, suddenly started arguing. Then, they embraced—kissing passionately.
They kissed for a full five minutes.
I stood there, frozen, tears streaming down my face.
Felix seemed unfazed by my pain, continuing to twist the knife.
"That woman's name is Lydia Langley, Lucas's childhood sweetheart. They've been secretly dating for two years."
"Lucas only proposed to you because he wants to use your property to further his career in this city."
"He's always seen you as a stepping stone. He's never cared about you."
"Oh, and that woman? She's pregnant. They found out the day you two got engaged."
Felix smirked.
"Libby, you're still so naive."
He let out a mock sigh. "Never mind, you're so gullible. Who else would want you, if not me?"
---
Seeing my tears, Felix placed his hand over my eyes. "That's enough. Don't look anymore."
He didn't remove his hand until the car had driven away.
That night, I did something I'd never done before.
I begged Felix to love me.
Felix gripped my chin, lifting my head slowly. His rough fingers brushed against my lips as he asked softly, "Who am I?"
I couldn't speak, overwhelmed by sobs. Felix, for once, spoke gently to me. "Libby, tell me, who am I?"
I trembled, barely able to whisper, "F… Felix."
He seized my lips, kissing me fiercely. "Call me 'baby'."
My voice quivered as I whispered, "…baby."
---
Felix was relentless. He kept making me call him "baby." By the end, my throat was sore, my voice barely a whisper.
At some point, it seemed as though he had fed me something.
It felt like alcohol.
I had a low tolerance for alcohol, and after one glass, I was already drunk.
When I was drunk, I couldn't control myself and did things I normally wouldn't. Felix knew I couldn't handle alcohol, and had always forbidden me from drinking, fearing I might lose control.
But tonight, he fed me willingly, saying he wanted to see me lose control for him.
He was being so cruel.
But I—
It seemed I had begun to like his cruelty.
It dulled the hurt inside me.
I asked him, "Do you still love me?"
He didn't answer with words, but with actions, proving how much he loved me.
That night, the only thing I remembered was Felix holding me and saying:
"Libby, now that you're mine, you'll always be mine."
